Why Become a WLA Member? To help protect public health and environment by participating in responding to emergency situations such as terrorist attack and natural disaster No need to sign MOU with individual states With current economy when services and supplies are being cut, it justifies the importance of our Lab analyzing environmental samples routinely as well as in emergency situation….

Agenda WLA Membership Application Process ERLN Requirements Document Identify areas that need to be added /modified to meet ERLN requirements Apply changes to current practices Inform the laboratory staff Complete and submit the application How did we make it easier to apply for WLA membership? Call for the services Summary 3

Our Approach to applying for the membership. Requested ERLN Requirements Document Designed to ensure consistent analytical data of known and documented quality Lists specific requirements for sample receiving, tracking, storing, preparing, analyzing and reporting data What are benefits of WLA membership? 4

ERLN Requirements Document. ERLN requirement document is divided into two sections. 1.) ERLN Operational Framework A Comprehensive Quality System A stable sample management system Data reporting requirement 2.) Requirements

Approach to applying for the membership. Continue… Quality Assurance Manager was assigned to review the requirements. Familiar with NELAP certification requirements Designed BOL quality system Listed each requirement in a table format Identified the gap Made changes to policies and procedures

Some Examples of Change in Policy and Procedures Reagent / standard preparation log book Personal security requirements added to Quality manual

Change in policy..

Gaps remaining at the time of Application…….. Section 3.7 Report Organization, Assembly and Delivery…. Section Temperature controlled storage area for organic analysis (including chemical warfare agent analysis)

Instructions for completion of the ERLN membership application Laboratory Membership Application for EPA / ERLN Coversheet for submitting ERLN membership application Checklist for reviewing Quality Management System 12 ERLN/WLA Membership Application

Submitting Application Packet Complete ERLN Application packet Provide supporting Documents associated with Lab Accredited Quality System Complete the Lab Compendium registration Process Print and attach Lab Compendium Submission Summary page Submit complete application package

How did we make it easier? Reviewed by Quality Assurance Manager NELAP Certified Lab BOL Quality Manual based on NELAP requirements LIMS and sample information system to report the data What are benefits of WLA membership? 14

Did PA DEP BOL ever receive a call for help? In May 2010, we received a request for supplies from EPA for Boston, MA water main break. In January 2011, BOL received an from EPA to confirm the current capacity of analyzing water samples for Hexavalent Chromium. In March 2011, as a part of “Ingestion Pathway Exercise”, ERLN Compendium was used to find capacity and capabilities of the environmental labs in the area for radiological analysis

In Summary… PA DEP BOL Approach to apply for the membership ERLN Requirement s Document ERLN Requirement s Document review Change in policies and procedures Requirements that were not met… ERLN application package Submitting ERLN application Calls for emergency response

Contact information Taru Upadhyay Technical Director PA DEP Bureau of Laboratories Phone #: