About Region 6’s Laboratory Services and Applied Science Division
What We Do
The Laboratory Services and Applied Science Division (LSASD) provides quality assured analytical support using state-of-the-art techniques and methodology for organic, inorganic, and biological analyses. The lab also performs technical audits of environmental monitoring laboratories and public water supply laboratories. The LSASD:
- manages Region 6's Contract Laboratory Program, performing sample scheduling, sample routing, data verification, data validation and data usability;
- provides technical expertise to the Region, as well as to federal, state, tribal and local entities;
- coordinates technical assistance, including performing analytical methods and procedures; and
- provides expert witness support for both civil and criminal enforcement cases.
The Laboratory Services and Applied Science Division meets the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 and is accredited to perform analysis of contaminants in air, drinking water, non-potable water, solid and chemical materials.
Organization
David (Wes) McQuiddy, Director
- Phone: 214-665-6722
- Email: [email protected]
The LSASD includes:
What We Do: The Laboratory Analysis Branch is comprised of two groups, the Organic Analysis Group, and the Inorganic Analysis Group.
The Organic Analysis Group analyzes samples of water, soils, wipes, waste, and oils for pesticides, herbicides, polychlorinated biphenols (PCBs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs). These samples come from a variety of places such as wells that provide drinking water to the public, soil, sediment, surface water bodies, waste treatment plants, chemical plants, landfills, or abandoned sites where hazardous waste has been disposed. The organic laboratory consists of an extraction laboratory, a pesticide/PCB laboratory, a volatile analysis laboratory, and a semi-volatile analysis laboratory.
The Inorganic Analysis Group analyzes environmental samples for a variety of metals, mercury, and RCRA characteristics. The samples analyzed may include drinking water, waste treatment water, solid wastes, surface and ambient waters, and sediment/soils. The inorganic laboratory includes metals sample preparation, mercury analysis, Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Atomic Emission analysis, ICP-Mass Spectral analysis, and Characteristics testing. These tests support all programs i.e. air, water, RCRA, Superfund, and criminal investigation.
What We Do: The Laboratory Support and External Laboratory Oversight Branch performs technical oversight of the Regional Environmental Services Assistance Team (ESAT) and the Superfund Analytical Services / Contract Laboratory Program (CLP) contracts. The branch oversees contractor data verification and validation activities, performs CLP sample scheduling, and determines contractor generated technical data usability for client programs. The section is responsible for CLP Regional Sample Control Center (RSCC) activities and the Regional ESAT Project Officer and the CLP Regional Project Officer are members of this branch.
The Laboratory Support and External Laboratory Oversight Branch Manager also serves as the Regional Quality Assurance Manager. The branch provides laboratory, field, and QA support for the Region’s varied programs. It ensures that the collection and analysis of environmental data in the Region meet the data quality objectives of regional programs. It also ensures that the quality assurance programs of the environmental programs in the Region, including states, tribes, and local governments, conform with EPA quality assurance specifications, agreements, and guidance.
In addition, the branch coordinates the Drinking Water Certification Program, which includes auditing the States Primary Drinking Water Laboratory, evaluating the States Drinking Water Certification Program and the EPA Region 6 State Drinking Water Laboratory Certification. The Laboratory Support and External Laboratory Oversight Branch serves as the regional point of contact for laboratory related technical assistance inquiries.
The branch's Laboratory Support Staff include the Region 6 Laboratory Sample Control Center (R6 SCC), the Biomonitoring Laboratory, the R6 Mobile Laboratory, and the Region 6 Quality Assurance Support Staff.