Document zRKn4me7qpNb50qQX98ppZ5B

Interoffice A/l mo To ~X^J-- ' """-------- B. Brocka Mail Code | 283 ! ! Subject Lab Accreditation Information CertainTeedEI ! From ^^ark^^. Kennedy Mail Code Ext, 1125/4 7707 j Date 10/18/90 cc: R. Bollich - 283 Attached is some information on Laboratory accreditation through the American Industrial Hygiene Association. This is the information that was referenced in the August 1990 IH survey report. As we discussed during the Kansas City seminar, I am concerned about obtaining accurate and reliable results in our worker exposure plant monitoring program. Becoming accredited would lend more credibility to the overall VCM monitoring program. Let me know what your thoughts are after you have had a chance to review the information. CTL000173 American INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE ASSOCIATION P 0 Bo* 8390 345 White Pond Dr. Akron, OH 44320 TEL, (216) 873-AIHA (2442) FAX (216) 873-1642 Enclosed please find the information vou requested. Industrial Hvgiene Association orovides two oroqrams competencv in industrial hygiene samolino analysis. The for American assuring The purpose of the Laboratory Accreditation Program is to establish and maintain the highest possible standard for those laboratories which analvre samples for the purpose of evaluating workplace exposures. Personnel, quality control procedures. eauipment, facilities and recordkeeping are evaluated bv the Laboratory Accreditation Committee and Site visitors. In addition. laboratory accreditation reauires participation in the AI HA Proficiency Analytical Testing (PAT) Program. The PAT program provides aualitv audit samples on a ouarterlv basis. Acceptable levels of performance must be maintained in order to retain accreditation. The program accredits the industrial hvgiene lab located at a soecific location. The purpose of the Asbestos Analysts Registry is to establish and maintain standards for individual counters who analvre samples or materials for the purpose of evaluating exposure to asbestos containing materials. It reauires documentation of eauipment training and QC procedures. Each counter is also reauired to participate in the Asbestos Analytical Testing (AAT) Program and submit results quarterly. AAR counters are noted acceptable when there are no more than two outlier results for two successive rounds. THe AAR registers counters who mav count samples in- house or at the job site. Per 1 c.boratcries who would like to on!'' participate in a norfnnnapro tesfi.no or oar am. the AIHA offers two types of round robin testing programs . The PAT Program offers ouarterlv air samples for metals. asbestos, silica and organic solvents. The Bulk Asbestos Roiind Robin Testing Program consists of identification of asbestos fibers. Samples are sent ouarterlv. Please read over the enclosed material. If vou have any auestions, please feel free to contact Nadine Lawriw or Lori Lanza at (216) 873-2442. CTL000174 The Proficiency Analytical Testing (PAT) Program pro vides quality audit samples to occupational health laborato ries. Although one objective of PAT is to determine the analytical competence of par ticipating occupational health laboratories, the primary objec tive is to assist the participating laboratories in improving ana lytical performance. Sample kits are mailed quarter ly and contain up to 15 filters and 10 charcoal or silica gel tubes. Five filters contain sil ica; five asbestos; and five combined metals of lead, cad mium, and zinc. The charcoal or silica gel tubes contain one, two, or three organic solvents which are rotated each round and include: benzene; carbon tetrachloride; chloroform; 1,2dichloroethane; hexane; meth ylene chloride; methyl chlo roform; methyl ethyl ketone; methyl isobutyl ketone; octane; o-xylene; p-dioxane; toluene; trichloroethylene; and tetrachloroethylene. Not all laboratories analyze all contaminants included in the PAT program, but each labora tory is required to analyze and submit results for all PAT sam ples which are similar to the analytical work load of the lab oratory. The analytical methods to be followed are not specified in the Program; the procedure used for PAT samples should be the same procedure used by the laboratory in its normal operations for similar types of samples. Except in instances where analytical problems are found, PAT samples should be rotated among all analysts per forming similar analyses in the laboratory. Laboratories have fifteen working days after re ceipt of samples to mail results. Results are evaluated, labora tories are screened for those with questionable performance, and each laboratory is notified of its status prior to the next official round of samples. To assist laboratories in making corrections and modifications prior to the next official round, repeat samples are available by contacting AIHA. Details of the statistical procedures used and examples of output are pro vided upon enrollment in the Program. CTL000175