technical B I EF
3
www.epa. gov/nhsrc
Selected Analytical Methods for Environmental
Remediation and Recovery
INTRODUCTION
Fast, accurate laboratory analysis following an environmental emergency is critical. Determining
the type and extent of contamination in the aftermath of a terrorist incident or natural disaster is
essential for informing emergency response, recovery, and remediation operations. In reviewing
the responses following the terrorist and anthrax attacks in 2001, homeland security experts
identified ways that the nation could better
prepare for response activities. One area
was improving laboratories' ability to handle
large quantities of environmental samples
needing analysis following the intentional or
unintentional release of hazardous chemical,
biological, and/or radiological (CBR)
substances.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) accomplished a major step in that
effort by establishing the Environmental
Response Laboratory Network (ERLN),
which includes the Water Laboratory Alliance. The ERLN is a nationwide network of analytical
laboratories that can quickly support large-scale responses, providing increased capacity,
consistent analytical capability, and reliability in producing quality environmental data.
In support of the ELRN, EPA's Homeland Security Research Program has prepared Selected
Analytical Methods for Environmental Remediation and Recovery (SAM) - 2012. SAM 2012 is the
latest update of a compendium of methods for use in analyzing samples for chemical, biological,
radiological, and biotoxin contamination. Following a CBR contamination incident, it is vital to
identify the nature and extent of contamination. Many laboratories would likely be needed to
analyze the number and variety of samples taken from air, water, soil, or indoor and outdoor
surfaces. SAM 2012 is unique in that it identifies a single selected method for each analyte/sample
type pairing. Using the same set of methods would permit sharing of sample load between
laboratories, potentially increase the speed of analysis, improve data comparability, and simplify
the task of outsourcing analytical support to the commercial laboratory sector. Use of such
methods would also improve the follow-up activities of validating results, evaluating data, and
making decontamination and recovery decisions.
In addition to use by EPA and EPA-contracted laboratories, SAM 2012 is intended for use by
federal, state, and local laboratories and agencies, and organizations such as the multi-agency
Integrated Consortium of Laboratory Networks (ICLN). Following an act of terrorism or other major
incident requiring coordinated, large-scale laboratory response, ICLN provides a system of
laboratory networks across the federal government and other organizations capable of integrated
and coordinated response and consequence management.
U.S. EPA's Homeland Security Research Program (HSRP)
develops products based on scientific research and technology
evaluations. Our products and expertise are widely used in
preventing, preparing for, and recovering from public health and
environmental emergencies that arise from terrorist attacks or
natural disasters. Our research and products address biological,
radiological, or chemical contaminants that could affect indoor
areas, outdoor areas, or water infrastructure. HSRP provides
these products, technical assistance, and expertise to support
EPA's roles and responsibilities under the National Response
Framework, statutory requirements, and Presidential Directives.
EPA/600/S-12/697
November 2012
1

-------
SELECTED ANALYTICAL METHODS DEVELOPMENT
Beginning in 2003, experts from across EPA, as well as other federal, state and local agencies,
public utilities, national laboratories, and academia, met to review analytical methods for inclusion
in SAM 2012. These experts continued gathering to add, remove, or revise methods as needed.
The experts sought to balance the use of existing techniques and methodologies against the goal
of obtaining consistent results for measuring chemical, biological, and radiological agents in a
variety of sample types.
These sample types include soils/solids, waters, particulates, aerosol, and vegetation. SAM 2012
contains method summaries that include the specific analytical purpose for which the method was
included in SAM 2012, preparation and determinative techniques, as well as any special
considerations. SAM 2012 is the most recent version of the compendium. Each analyte in a section
has a method designated for each sample type, such as solids or drinking water, unless it was not
deemed a concern for that sample type.
There are over one thousand analyte/sample type pairings contained in SAM 2012 with methods
selected, as appropriate. The numbers of analytes and sample types are summarized below:
Chemicals
Radiochemicals
Pathogens
Biotoxins
• 141 analytes
• 25 analytes
• 31 analytes
• 18 analytes
• 5 sample types
• 6 sample types
• 4 sample types
• 5 sample types
(solids, aqueous
(drinking water,
(aerosol, particulate,
(aerosol, solid,
liquids, drinking water,
aqueous and liquid
drinking water, and
particulate, liquid
air and wipes)
phase, soil and
post decontamination
water, and drinking

sediment, surface
waste water)
water)

wipes, air filters, and



vegetation)


Widely different analytical methods are required for various phases of environmental sample
analyses, as described in Figure 1. SAM 2012 provides information for analytical methods to be
applied during the "Site Remediation" phase. Methods have been selected to support activities
related to site assessment (including preliminary, qualitative analyses to characterize the extent of
contamination), site cleanup (to evaluate the efficacy of remediation efforts), and site clearance
(releasing a site, including water and wastewater systems, for its intended use) decisions.
SAM 2012 is updated to incorporate revisions to the list of target analytes and environmental
sample types and to provide the most recent analytical methods and procedures. Method updates
are included based on the availability of new methods or data supporting the use of the method.
SAM 2012 now contains over 200 method summaries for biological, chemical, and radiochemical
analytes.
2

-------
Surveillance and Monitoring
(if appropriate)
Immediate Response/
Credibility Determination
Preliminary Site
Characterization
Site Remediation
SAM
(Selected Analytical Methods for Environmental
Remediation and Recovery)
Assessment
Cleanup
Clearance
Figure 1. Typical phases of environmental sample analysis.
The most recent version of SAM, published in 2012 includes the following key changes:
•	The Pathogen section was completely revised and transformed to provide response and
remediation specific methods to help stakeholders determine the appropriate methods for
each remedial phase (site characterization and/or post decontamination) of a response to a
biological event. For time-efficient site decontamination planning, the methods selected for
sample analyses during the site characterization phase are targeted toward rapid analyses
of a large number of samples. The methods selected for the post decontamination phase
focus on sensitivity, specificity, and ability to determine pathogen viability.
•	The Chemistry section now includes applicability tiers for chemical analytes in Appendix A:
Selected Chemical Methods that indicate the extent of data available to support each
method for analyte/sample type pair. The fitness of a method for an intended use is related
to site-specific data quality objectives for a particular environmental remediation activity.
The selected chemical methods have been assigned tiers to indicate a level of method
usability for the specific analyte and sample type.
3

-------
•	The Radiochemistry section adds the Total Activity Screening analyte class and non-food
vegetation as a sample type, which completes the normal environmental sample types that
are collected after intentional or unintentional radiological incidents. In addition, SAM 2012
contains rapid methods for selected radionuclides in water, air filters, and surface wipes.
These were added to replace more conventional time-consuming methods as a means of
addressing laboratory capacity.
•	The Biotoxin section presents a tiered approach for selecting biotoxin methods to meet site-
specific requirements such as sample throughput or analytical certainty. Methods identified
as presumptive, which are generally more rapid than confirmatory methods, might be used
during the initial stages of remediation to evaluate the extent of contamination. In turn, the
results of the confirmatory methods might be used to select samples to be analyzed by
applicable biological activity methods, which tend to be much slower and less available than
the confirmatory methods.
SAM 2012 RELATED RESOURCES
EPA has developed companion documents to provide information regarding field screening
equipment, sample collection, rapid screening and preliminary analysis equipment, and sample
disposal information to supplement the analytical methods included in SAM 2012. The information
listed in these documents generally corresponds to the analytes and methods in SAM 2012 and
are updated after a new revision of SAM is published.
SAM is also a searchable Web site at www.epa.gov/sam. In addition to providing access to the
SAM 2012 document, the web page hosts a SAM 2012 Methods Query that permits searches for
methods based on analyte of concern, sample matrix type, or the capabilities of laboratories. The
site also has full documentation of publicly available laboratory methods, links to the companion
documents and sample collection procedures, and links to technical contacts and key
collaborators. The SAM website has been accessed from across the U.S. as well as more than one
hundred countries.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For more information, visit the EPA Web site at www.epa.gov/nhsrc.
Technical Contacts: Kathy Hall (hall.kathy@epa.gov)
Romy Campisano (campisano.romy@epa.gov)
General Feedback/Questions: Kathy Nickel (nickel.kathy@epa.gov)
4

-------