Updating the Quality Control Requirements for Organic Methods in Standard Methods

Crafting Consensus Methods for Environmental Sampling and Measurement
Oral Presentation

Prepared by J. Parr
The NELAC Institute, 210 S Lamar St., Weatherford, TX, 76086, United States


Contact Information: [email protected]; 817-308-0449

ABSTRACT

Section 6020 of Standard Methods contains the general Quality Control (QC) requirements for all methods for analyzing organic constituents. This section was last reviewed in 2011. A Joint Task Group (JTG) was created to review 6020 to ensure that it is up to date with modern QC practices for specific organic methods, including, but not limited to GC, GCMS, GC-MS/MS, LC. LCMS, and LC-MS/MS. The primary goal of the JTG was to revise Section 6020 to make it more consistent with 3020, 4020, and 5020 to the extent possible. In addition, ensure that Part 6020 terms and definitions do not conflict with Part 1000; however and if necessary, terms and definitions for organic analysis may be added. Specifically, there is no discussion of the various calibration techniques such as isotope dilution and minimal discussion on internal standards and surrogates. In addition, there is no discussion of the various MS/MS techniques, such as used in 6040 or 6810. A goal is to make SM 6020 a resource for laboratories regarding discussion on organic analysis including extractions, quality control procedures including those largely unique to organic methods, calibration models and when to use them, and instrument techniques.