September 2014 Update:

In April 2014, EPA published five rapid methods for analysis of building materials, one rapid method for analysis of concrete and brick matrices and one rapid method for analysis of radioisotope thermoelectric generator materials. The methods should be used for qualitative analysis as follows:

Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator Materials:

Building Materials and/or Concrete and Brick Matrices:

The rapid methods are provided and summarized in the following:

1. Addendum for: Rapid Method for Sodium Hydroxide/Sodium Peroxide Fusion of Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator Materials in Water and Air Filter Matrices Prior to Plutonium Analyses for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents
2. Addendum for: Rapid Radiochemical Method for Plutonium-238 and Plutonium-239/240 in Building Materials for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents
3. Addendum for: Rapid Radiochemical Method for Americium-241 in Building Materials for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents
4. Addendum for: Rapid Radiochemical Method for Radium-226 in Building Materials for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents
5. Addendum for: Rapid Radiochemical Method for Total Radiostrontium (Sr-90) in Building Materials for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents
6. Addendum for: Rapid Radiochemical Method for Isotopic Uranium in Building Materials for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents
7. Addendum for: Rapid Method for Sodium Hydroxide Fusion of Concrete and Brick Matrices Prior to Americium, Plutonium, Strontium, Radium, and Uranium Analyses for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents

September 2013 Update:

In April 2013, EPA published three rapid methods for analysis of soil samples. The methods should be used in lieu of methods that are currently listed in Selected Analytical Methods for Environmental Remediation and Recovery (SAM) for qualitative analysis of the following isotopes in soil samples:

The rapid methods are provided and summarized in the following:

1. Addendum for: Rapid Method for Sodium Carbonate Fusion of Soil and Soil-Related Matrices Prior to Strontium-90 Analyses for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents
2. Addendum for: Rapid Method for Fusion of Soil and Soil-Related Matrices Prior to Americium, Plutonium, and Uranium Analyses for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents
3. Addendum for: Rapid Method for Radium in Soil Incorporating the Fusion of Soil and Soil-Related Matrices with the Radioanalytical Counting Method for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents

March 2013 Update:

On March 1, 2013, EPA published a "Protocol for Detection of Bacillus anthracis in Environmental Samples During the Remediation Phase of an Anthrax Event," intended for the analyses of swabs, wipes, Sponge-Sticks, vacuum socks and filters, air filters, drinking water, and decontamination waste water for Bacillus anthracis spores. The protocol is cited throughout Section 7.0 of the SAM 2012 document. See: Protocol for Detection of Bacillus anthracis in Environmental Samples

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