Method Development
- Flexible Measurements
- Method Validation and Peer Review Policies and Guidelines
- Method Detection and Quantitation
- Method Formatting
- Method Sources and Support
- Updating the Toxic Organic Methods
Flexible Measurements
In 1997, the Agency adopted the Performance Based Measurement System (PBMS) (i.e., Federal Register Notice of Intent) to:
- Reduce the cost of monitoring;
- Stimulate the development and use of innovative technologies;
- Speed up the introduction of new methods; and
- Improve the quality of science in the monitoring community.
Unfortunately, the "one size fits all" approach did not work for the diversely different programs and authority within each Agency office. The guidance document Flexible Approaches to Environmental Measurement, created in 2008 shifted the focus from the performance approach to a more flexible one. Documentation on the Agency’s commitment to this flexible approach is below, in addition to a presentation on the specific steps being taken within each media program.
- Performance Based Measurement System (PBMS) Federal Register Notice of Intent (3 pp, 1997, 114 K, About PDF)
- Flexible Approaches to Environmental Measurements – The Evolution of the Performance Approach
- Federal Register Notice (FRN) (3 pp, 2009, 140 K, About PDF)
- Flexible Approaches to Environmental Measurements – Webinar Presentation with Notes
- Flexible Approaches to Environmental Measurement Webinar Series - Question/Answer Summary
Method Validation and Peer Review Policies and Guidelines
All methods of analysis must be validated and peer reviewed prior to being issued. Each EPA office is responsible for ensuring minimum method validation and peer review criteria have been acheived. These documents describe general principles for determining and demonstrating that an analysis method is suitable for its intended purpose (i.e., yields acceptable accuracy for the analyte, matrix and concentration range of concern).
Method Validation and Peer Review Policies and Guidelines
Method Detection and Quantitation
A 2009 review of Agency procedures for:
- method detection limits,
- method quantitation limits, and
- calibration curves
determined a single process did not meet the diverse needs of all programs. The review resulted in the publication of the documents below, which improved communication among programs and enhanced understanding regarding the various procedures each has adopted. An update to the Forum on Environmental Measurements Glossary is planned for FY2018.
- Forum on Environmental Measurements Glossary
- Detection Limit/Quantitation Limit Summary Table
- Method Detection/Quantitation: Program Use/Needs
- Calibration Curves: Program Use/Needs
Method Formatting
A standardized method format, developed in the 1990s, has been used by our EPA offices as the template for revising old and writing new methods. This format establishes a consistent framework for all Agency methods.
- Environmental Monitoring Management Council (EMMC) Methods Format (PDF)(4 pp, 69 K, About PDF)
- EPA Drinking Water Format
- SW-846 Method Style Guide
Method Sources and Support
Below are documents used to support method development.
- Test Method Index (A valuable reference and resource, last updated in April 2003.)
- Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors (AP 42), Volume I
- Test Guidelines for Pesticides and Toxic Substances
Updating the Toxic Organic Methods
A webinar will be held on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at 1PM EST to discuss the development of an alternative methods process for air toxics. Please join us by logging in as a guest here. Phone line information: 866-299-3188, 587-495-2464#
Webinar Agenda:
- Background
- General Process for Updating Toxic Organic (TO) Methods
- Proposed Method Update Schedule
- TO-15 Method Update Process
- How to Submit Comments
- Open Chat Discussion: Please type all questions and comments into the Adobe Connect chat box.
The lined version of Method TO-15, the list of EPA's planned revisions to TO-15, the comments form, the webinar slide presentation, and the webinar audio recording are all available here.