1. National Environmental Monitoring Conference
Government Public Health and Private Environmental Laboratory Partnerships
National Environmental Monitoring Conference
New Orleans, LA
August 9, 2018

2. Emergency Response in Puerto Rico Post Hurricane Maria Environmental and Public Health Laboratory Assessments
Martina McGarvey, DM Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Laboratories

3. Overview Mission Team/Partners Emergency Response Preparation
Evaluating Essential Laboratory Testing Services
Impacts on Laboratory Testing Service
Challenges and Lessons Learned

4. Engaging Partners and Information Sharing
Write report using APHL assessment template for findings and recommendations (e.g. CLIA and DW compliance, COOP etc) for each of the facilities visited (4 total).
5 days onsite using APHL assessment tool to evaluate four facilities (one central and three regional) to determine physical fitness (power, electricity, equipment etc) and technical capacity & capability.

5. Partners CDC – requested APHL assess Main PHL and 3 regional PHLs
US EPA Assessment Follow Up – including private lab status
US Army Corp of Engineers
PR DOH Liaison to EOC
emphasize the role that each partner organization played and why a partnership was essential. And what type of coordination/communication occurred in order to make it happen as best as possible? What worked well with that partnership coordination or perhaps what could be better? What is a perfect world scenario for that and perhaps how do we try to best work towards that in the future?

6. Emergency Response Preparation
Preparations – teleconferences
Medications
30% DEET
Water and Protein Bars
Clothing Flashlights
Candles

7. EOC

8. Evaluating Laboratory Services
Write report using APHL assessment template to share drinking water compliance with partners

9. Comprehensive Assessment Tool
Organizational Structure/Contacts
Funding Sources
Quality System Regulations
Physical Fitness of Lab Facilities (space, equipment, reagents, safety
Collection and transport of samples
Testing Services
Partnerships and Communication

13. Day 2
Regional Laboratory Visits 2 of 3 regional labs were visited due to time constraints.
Travel was difficult due to stop lights not functioning. Both laboratories perform environmental testing for drinking water and milk testing.
Arecibo Hygiene Laboratory
Mayaguez Hygiene Laboraotory

14. October 25, 2017
Arecibo Hygiene Laboratory
US EPA and Army Corp of Engineers had completed air quality assessment. FEMA delivered and installed a generator to power the laboratory.
Minimal infrastructure damage
The Arecibo Lab was the only public service lab capable of testing drinking water.

15. “We are the lucky ones.”
Sarah, it may be interesting for drinking water compliance results of Puerto Rico. What makes Puerto Rico different exactly? What partnerships are needed to help them to get where they need to go in the future?

16. Line Power Instruments Operational
PRIVATE LABORATORIES
ASSESSMENT STATUS:
Power Status
Comments
Beckton Env. Lab
Ponce
Micro/Chem HAA5, TTHM, EDB, DBCP, some metals, alkalinity, nitrate, nitrite, fluoride, cyanide, TDS, total coliforms, E.coli, HPC
Line Power Instruments Operational
Currently Functioning No Internet Capability; not currently DW certified for HAAs and TTHMs
EQ Laboratories
Bayamon, PR
All DW parameters except: asbestos, dioxin, PCBs, Cryptosporidium and Radionuclides
Powered with generator Instruments Operational
Currently functiong, running all PRASA samples for DW compliance (micro/inorganics/metals/organics); have 70 analysts and willing to add 2nd & 3rd shifts; expect line power week of 10/23
ACUALAB
Humacao, PR
Total Coliforms, E. coli, HPC
Running off generator; do not expect assistance request
ALCHEM
Ponce, PR
Currently functioning, Running off generator; do not expect assistance request. Also have some capability for wastewater chemistry analysis
North Coast Superaqueduct Project Operated by CH2MHill
Currently functioning
Laboratorio Analitico, Inc. 7
Line Power + backup generator Instruments Operational Need supplies and reagents
No land-line for phone, but have cell service & internet access

17. Challenges and Lessons Learned
Communications
Travel
Coordination
Funding Approval
COOP
Partnerships
Challenges of partnership and communication? Lessons learned for future?
Language COOP
Leadership
Human Resources – most important – staff will come through
Different evaluation from EPA report for Mayaquez lab
Rebuilding Puerto Rico SSF Webinar – Universities as Leaders in Community Resilience, Resiliency Through Innovation in Sustainable Energy

21. Martina Q. McGarvey DM Director PA DEP Bureau of Laboratories (717)346-8618 mmgarvey@pa.gov