Inorganic Chemicals (IOC) Cyanide Sampling Procedures

The purpose of these slides is to demonstrate recommended sampling techniques. This presentation includes: supplies needed supplies needed sample tap selection sample tap selection collection; and collection; and shipping. shipping. Inorganic Chemicals (IOC) Cyanide Sampling

We know and recognize that there are numerous techniques and methods for collecting drinking water samples. The idea of this presentation is to demonstrate the general method used while providing some helpful suggestions for sample collection, whether you are an owner, operator, or trainee. This presentation is in no way to be considered a substitute for the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and amendments. Inorganic Chemicals (IOC) Cyanide Sampling

What are Inorganic Chemicals and why do we sample for them? Inorganic chemicals are elements or compounds found in water supplies.

What are Inorganic Chemicals and why do we sample for them? They may occur naturally in the geology or they may be caused by :

Industry or Agricultural activities. Mining What are Inorganic Chemicals and why do we sample for them?

It is common to have trace amounts of many inorganic chemicals in water supplies. What are Inorganic Chemicals and why do we sample for them?

Damaging Effects In larger amounts, however, inorganic chemicals can be dangerous, and can cause a variety of damaging effects to the liver, kidney, nervous system, circulatory system, gastrointestinal system, bones, and skin, depending upon the chemicals and level of exposure.

Pregnant women and infants are especially susceptible to harm from inorganic chemicals. Damaging Effects

What are Inorganic Chemicals and why do we sample for them? First regulated in 1975, the US Environmental Protection Agency established "maximum contaminant levels" or "MCLs." for various inorganic chemicals.

IOC Groups There are three different IOC for sampling: Non-Metals Non-Metals Metals Metals Cyanide Cyanide This procedure is for Cyanide.

State Guidelines – Rules – Sample Requirements Be sure to check with your state or tribal drinking water program office for additional guidelines, rules and/or sample requirements since they may be more stringent than those required by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

IOC-Cyanide Sampling Supplies Before you begin sampling, it is important to have all of your supplies on hand. Here is a list of the suggested supplies you may need:

Cooler for shipping and storage of your sample while in transit between collection point and lab. IOC-Cyanide Sampling Supplies

Bagged Ice for your shipping cooler. IOC-Cyanide Sampling Supplies

PVC or unsupported Neoprene gloves which are necessary to keep your hands safe from sample container preservative chemicals. IOC-Cyanide Sampling Supplies

Safety Goggles which are necessary to keep your hands and eyes safe from sample container preservative chemicals. IOC-Cyanide Sampling Supplies

Sample Container IOC-Cyanide Sampling Supplies

Lab slips, labels, and markers for sample container identification IOC-Cyanide Sampling Supplies

Additional Recommended Items are: Paper towels for drying off the outside of your sample container after sampling. IOC-Cyanide Sampling Supplies

Plastic storage baggies for ice and sample container IOC-Cyanide Sampling Supplies

Sampling Containers For cyanide sampling a one liter glass or plastic container is often used. The laboratory usually adds sodium hydroxide to the container for preservation of the sample until it can be properly tested.

As a general rule, proper washing of hands is highly recommended for the sample collector. Sampling Containers

Also, food, drink, and even 2nd hand cigarette smoke should never come into contact with the sample or its containers. These foreign objects have been suspected of causing false results in samples, so be sure to practice good clean sample collection procedures. Sampling Containers

Do not sample with any containers that appear to have been tampered with since this may cause an undesirable sample result. Sampling Containers

Sampling Procedures The laboratory that supplies the sampling containers may provide instruction with the kit for the type of monitoring being performed. Be sure to refer to those instructions when provided.

Sampling Procedures Important: The laboratory supplying the sample containers may send trip blanks, sometimes called field reagent blanks, along with the sample containers. Trip blanks consist of sample containers filled at the laboratory, that must remain sealed and must be shipped back to the lab. This is done to check if samples were contaminated during shipment.

Important Safety Precautions Safety goggles and gloves must be worn.

Wash hands before and after sampling. Important Safety Precautions

Sampling Procedures Caution-Hazard Sample containers may contain liquid preservatives. Liquid preservatives will cause burns. If it comes into contact with the skin or eyes, flush with liberal amounts of water and seek immediate medical attention.

Select a state approved sampling location if any have been designated. If none have been designated, contact your state or tribal drinking water program office. For a surface water system, the plant effluent tap might be an appropriate sampling location. For a well discharging directly into a distribution system (entry point to the distribution system or EPTDS), a tap on the well’s discharge piping after any treatment may be appropriate. Sampling Procedures

If possible, use a non-swivel faucet and remove all attachments, including any aerators, strainers and hoses. It is normally recommended not to take a sample at that location if all attachments cannot be removed because they may alter the sample results. Sampling Procedures

Turn on the water tap and run the water until the temperature has stabilized (use a thermometer if possible) This typically takes 2 to 3 minutes. Then reduce the flow so that the stream is approximately ¼ inch in diameter. Do not change the flow rate until after sampling is completed. Sampling Procedures

While the water is running for those 2-3 minutes, completely fill out the 2-3 minutes, completely fill out the labels and lab slip. Be sure to clearly labels and lab slip. Be sure to clearly identify the system information, like identify the system information, like the public water system identification the public water system identification number, exact sample location, date and time of collection, and the sampler’s name. number, exact sample location, date and time of collection, and the sampler’s name. If the sample collection point has a specific coded identification, include it on the label and sample submission form. Be sure to attach the label prior to sampling. A wet sample container may not allow the label to properly adhere. Sampling Procedures

Remove the cap from the container, keeping the container upright to prevent spilling any preservatives. Do no put the cap face down or put it in your pocket. Do not allow the inside of the cap, the inside of the container, or the container threads to be touched by any object. DO NOT rinse out the container prior to sampling. Sampling Procedures

Hold container at an angle pointing away form your face and carefully fill it to its shoulder. If acid is in the container, it will mix rapidly with the water and may splatter a bit. Leave enough room in the bottle so that the sample can be shaken to mix the preservative. Put the cap on the container, tighten it, and shake the bottle vigorously for one minute. Sampling Procedures

Screw the cap on the bottle being sure not to overtighten the cap Sampling Procedures

Complete the forms supplied by the laboratory with the appropriate information such as public water systems (PWS) identification number, exact sample collection location, date and time, type of sample collection (raw, plant tap, entry point, or distribution), and type of analysis to be run. In many states, the same form that is filled out here will be used to report the analytical results. Also, complete a chain of custody form if required. Sampling Procedures

Place the samples in a cooler. The trip blanks should still be in the cooler. Keep the samples at 2 degrees to 6 degrees Celsius ( 36 degrees to 43 degrees Fahrenheit) and keep them away form direct light or gasoline and solvent vapors. Pack the samples in a cooler with Ice. As a tip, it might be a good idea to bag up the sample and the ice separately in the cooler. This will help prevent leakage or contamination of the sample from the ice. Sampling Procedures

Deliver the samples to the laboratory or ship the samples by an overnight courier. This will ensure prompt testing for the most accurate results. All samples must be received by the laboratory within 7days. Sampling Procedures

If the laboratory has any additional shipping recommendations or requirements, they should be read and followed closely. Sampling Procedures

If you have any additional questions, please contact your state or tribal drinking water program office for assistance. Following the proper drinking water sample collection procedures can lead to peace of mind, knowing that the test results truly represent the quality of water your customers are drinking. After all, isn’t our goal to ensure... Following the proper drinking water sample collection procedures can lead to peace of mind, knowing that the test results truly represent the quality of water your customers are drinking. After all, isn’t our goal to ensure... Sampling Procedures

Inorganic Chemicals (IOC) Cyanide Sampling Procedures “Water Safe to Drink”