• Analytical methods consist of two distinct phases — a preparation phase and a determination phase.
• The analytical laboratory that a facility selects should exhibit demonstrated experience and capabilities in three major areas: comprehensive QA/QC programs, technical analytical expertise, and effective information management systems.

To be useful in sustaining regulatory and permit compliance, the waste analysis plan (WAP) must specify testing and analytical methods which are capable of providing reliable data to ensure safe and effective waste management. The selection of an appropriate methodology is dependent upon the following considerations:

• Physical state of the sample (e.g., solid or liquid),
• Analytes of interest (e.g., volatile organics),
• Required detection limits (e.g., 1/5 to ½ of the regulatory thresholds),and
• Information requirements (e.g., detection monitoring, verify compliance with Land Disposal Restriction (LDR) treatment standards).

Analytical methods consist of two distinct phases — a preparation phase and a determination phase. The use of an appropriate combination of preparation and determination procedures is necessary to ensure the accuracy of data generated from the facility waste management program.

In addition to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Publication SW-846, the following references provide information on approved methods for analyzing waste samples:

• American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
• “Design and Development of a Hazardous Waste Reactivity Testing Protocol,” EPA Document No. 600/2-84-057 (February 1984)
• “The Toxicity Characteristic Rule” (55 FR 11862)
• “Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes,” EPA Document No. 600/4- 79-020 (Revised March 1983).

Selecting a laboratory

The use of proper analytical procedures is essential to acquiring useful and accurate data. Obtaining accurate results requires an analytical laboratory that has demonstrated experience in performing waste sample analyses. When selecting a laboratory, preference should be given to those that are capable of providing documentation of their proven analytical capabilities, available instrumentation, and standard operating procedures. Furthermore, the laboratory should be able to substantiate their data by systematically documenting the steps taken to obtain and validate the data.

The analytical laboratory that a facility selects should exhibit demonstrated experience and capabilities in three major areas:

• Comprehensive quality assurance/quality control programs (both qualitative and quantitative);
• Technical analytical expertise; and
• Effective information management systems.