W. Va. Code R. § 47-32-4

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 45, November 8, 2024

Section 47-32-4 - Laboratory Requirements

A certified laboratory or a laboratory seeking certification must continually meet and follow the requirements of this section.

4.1. Laboratories will have on the premises and under the control of the laboratory manager all of the equipment and instruments necessary to analyze each parameter in which the laboratory is certified, or is seeking certification. All equipment must meet the minimum standards required by the test method used.

4.2. General Requirements for All Laboratories.

4.2.1. Adequate laboratory space and facilities, to include equipment and instruments must be available to properly carry out the services performed in the laboratory.

4.2.2. Laboratory work areas will be arranged so as to minimize problems in contamination, transportation and communication.

4.2.3. Workbench space within the laboratory must be ample for the tests or analyses to be performed, have adequate lighting and be convenient to a sink, water, gas, vacuum and electrical outlets or other utilities as necessary to properly carry out the specific tests or analyses to be performed.

4.2.4. Temperature and humidity within the laboratory are to be maintained within the limits required for the proper performance of each test or analysis, the proper operation of the various instruments, and the proper storage of expendable supplies.

4.2.5. pH meters must have an accuracy of and scale graduations within 0.1 standard unit.

4.2.6. Analytical and pan balances are to be clean, not corroded, and be provided with Class-S weights or equivalent. Analytical balances will be capable of weighing to 0.1 milligram minimum. Pan balances will be capable of weighing to 100 milligrams.

4.2.6.a. An analytical balance must be mounted on a heavy, shockproof table. The balance level must be checked each use and adjusted as necessary;

4.2.6.b. An analytical balance must be located in an area that is not near laboratory traffic and is protected from drafts and humidity changes; and

4.2.6.c. Three Class-S or equivalent weights are to be available for checking the analytical balance. These weights must cover the range expected to be encountered during routine analyses.

4.2.7. All temperature measuring devices will be graduated in one degree Celsius (or 2 degrees Fahrenheit) increments and readable to 0.5 degrees Celsius (1 degree Fahrenheit) for all analyses except fecal coliform analysis; in which case glass or metal thermometers are to be readable to 0.2 degrees Celsius.

4.2.7.a. Continuous temperature recording devices will be sensitive and accurate to within 1.0 degree Celsius (2 degrees Fahrenheit).

4.2.7.b. The column of liquid in glass thermometers will have no separation.

4.2.7.c. Liquid column in glass and electronic type thermometers without a current manufacturer's certificate of accuracy must be verified as accurate annually. All other types, to include Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC) devices, must be verified as accurate quarterly. Verification must be accomplished by comparison to a certified thermometer traceable to a National Institute for Standards Testing thermometer. See also paragraph 5.2.2.g for additional thermometer requirements.

4.2.7.d. Each temperature measuring device must be uniquely identified. The results of accuracy verifications must be documented. The corrected temperature must be recorded whenever temperatures are required to be recorded.

4.2.8. Sample storage refrigerators must maintain an internal temperature of [LESS THAN EQUAL TO] 6 degrees Celsius.

4.2.9. Laboratory glassware, plastic ware, and metal utensils will meet the following requirements:

4.2.9.a. Glassware and metal utensils must resist corrosion, and be capable of withstanding high temperatures, and vigorous cleaning;

4.2.9.b. Flasks, beakers, dilution bottles, culture dishes, culture tubes and other glassware are to be of borosilicate glass and free of chips, cracks, and excessive etching;

4.2.9.c. Volumetric glassware must be Class A and need not be calibrated before use. Non Class A glassware must be calibrated before use; and

4.2.9.d. Metal utensils must be made of stainless steel or other inert material.

4.2.10. Pipettes must meet the following requirements:

4.2.10.a. Glass pipettes are to be made of borosilicate glass;

4.2.10.b. Plastic pipettes must be compatible with the reagents being measured, i.e. will not dissolve or show signs of etching or numbers being removed;

4.2.10.c. Plastic pipettes must be sterile or sterilizable for microbiological procedures;

4.2.10.d. Pipettes must deliver the required volume quickly and accurately within a 2.5 percent tolerance; and

4.2.10.e. Pipettes must not be excessively etched, nor the mouthpiece or delivery tips chipped, or the graduation marks illegible.

4.2.11. Magnetic stirrers must have variable speeds, and use Teflon coated stirring bars.

4.2.12. Volumetric dispensing devices including autopipetors, autotitrators and digital burets must be of sufficient sensitivity for the application. Delivery volumes of mechanical volumetric dispensing devices must be checked using the gravimetric method or using Class A volumetric glassware once every 3 months.

4.2.13. All purchased reagents and solutions must be certified as appropriate for the intended use by the manufacturer or supplier or must be verified as appropriate by the laboratory prior to use.

4.3. Criteria and Procedures for Trace Metal Testing.

4.3.1. The Department incorporates methods approved in 40 CFR §136.3 Table IB, the current approved edition of EPA publication SW-846 Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods, and other methods as may be approved by EPA or the Secretary, including all standards, criteria, sample collection procedures, analytical procedures, methodology, quality assurance and quality control specifications for evaluation and certification purposes.

4.4. Criteria and Procedures for Inorganic Nonmetals.

4.4.1. The Department incorporates methods approved in 40 CFR §136.3 Table IB, the current approved edition of EPA publication SW-846 Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods, and other methods as may be approved by EPA or the Secretary, including all standards, criteria, sample collection procedures, analytical procedures, methodology, quality assurance and quality control specifications for evaluation and certification purposes.

4.5. Criteria and Procedures for Volatile Organic Chemicals, Extractable and Semi-volatile Chemicals and Dioxin and Dibenzofuran.

4.5.1. The Department incorporates methods approved in 40 CFR §136.3 Table IC, ID and IG, the current approved edition of EPA publication SW-846 Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods, or such other methods as may be approved by EPA or the Secretary, including all standards, criteria, sample collection procedures, analytical procedures, methodology, quality assurance and quality control specifications for evaluation and certification purposes.

4.6. Criteria and Procedures for Microbiological Testing.

4.6.1. The Department incorporates from methods approved in 40 CFR §136.3 Table IA, or other methods as may be approved by EPA or the Secretary, including all standards, criteria, sample collection procedures, analytical procedures, methodology, quality assurance and quality control specifications for evaluation and certification purposes.

4.6.2. Laboratory pure water for use in microbiological examinations will be analyzed for the parameters listed in Table 3. Should the test results for any of the substances exceed the standards set forth in the table, corrective action must be taken and the water retested.

4.6.2.a. Analysis of laboratory pure water for use in microbiological examinations must be performed by a laboratory certified under this rule. Results must be maintained and include the date, type of analysis, results and identity of the individual responsible for the results.

4.6.2.b. For purchased laboratory pure water for use in microbiological examinations, a current certificate of analysis from the producer is required, documenting that the purity of the water is traceable. The purchased laboratory pure water must meet the requirements of Table 3.

4.7. Criteria and Procedures for Whole Effluent Toxicity Testing.

4.7.1. All work is to be performed in accordance with procedures outlined in Methods for Measuring the Acute Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Waters to Freshwater and Marine Organisms, EPA/821/R-02/012, or Short Term Methods for Estimating Chronic Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Waters to Freshwater Organisms, EPA/821/R-02/013 and other methods as may be approved by EPA or the Secretary for the test to be performed.

4.8. Criteria and Procedures for Radiochemistry Testing.

4.8.1. The Department incorporates methods approved in 40 CFR §136.3 Table IE, the current approved edition of EPA publication SW-846 Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods, or other methods as may be approved by EPA or the Secretary, including all standards, criteria, sample collection procedures, analytical procedures, methodology, quality assurance and quality control specifications for evaluation and certification purposes.

4.9. Criteria and Procedures for Characteristics Testing.

4.9.1. The Department incorporates the current approved edition of EPA publication SW-846 Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods, and other methods as may be approved by EPA or the Secretary, including all standards, criteria, sample collection procedures, analytical procedures, methodology, quality assurance and quality control specifications for evaluation and certification purposes.

W. Va. Code R. § 47-32-4