The information contained within SAM and on this website represents the latest step in an ongoing effort of the EPA to provide selected analytical methods for use by those laboratories tasked with performing analyses of environmental and building material samples in support of EPA remediation and recovery efforts following a contamination incident.  SAM is intended for use by EPA and EPA-contracted and sub-contracted laboratories; it also can be used by other agencies and laboratory networks, such as the Integrated Consortium of Laboratory Networks (ICLN).

At this time, only some of the methods selected have been validated for the listed analytes and sample types.  However, the methods are considered to contain the most appropriate currently available techniques based on expert judgment.  Unless a method states specific applicability to the analyte/sample type for which it has been selected, it should be assumed that method evaluation is needed, and adjustments may be required to accurately account for variations in analyte/sample type characteristics, environmental and building material samples, analytical interferences and data quality objectives (DQOs).

EPA will strive to continue development and evaluation of analytical protocols, including optimization of procedures for measuring target analytes in specific sample types, as appropriate.  In cases where method procedures are determined to be insufficient for a particular situation, EPA will continue to provide technical support regarding appropriate actions.  EPA also has compiled information and published documents regarding sample collection materials, rapid screening/preliminary identification equipment, and disposal of samples corresponding to SAM analytes and sample types (See SAM Companion Documents and Sample Collection Procedures).