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4.1.1.1 All
equipment shall be cleaned in a controlled environment and transported to the
field pre-cleaned and ready to use.
4.1.1.2 All
equipment must be immediately rinsed with tap water after use, even if it is
to be field cleaned for other sites.
4.1.1.3 Equipment
that is only used once (i.e. not cleaned in the field) must be tagged with the
sample location, returned to the in-house cleaning facility and cleaned in a
controlled environment.
4.1.2.1
Detergents specified in this document refer to Liquinox (or equivalent)
or Alconox (or equivalent). See
section 4.1.4.1 NOTE 3 for restrictions on use.
4.1.2.2
Solvents
a.
The solvent used in routine cleaning procedures shall be pesticide
grade or nanograde isopropanol. Pesticide grade and nanograde are synonymous.
1.
Other solvents (i.e. acetone or methanol) may be used if they are
pesticide grade. However,
methanol is more toxic to the environment and acetone may be an analyte of
interest for volatile organics.
2.
Acetone SHALL NOT be used if volatile organics are of interest.
b.
Precleaning heavily contaminated equipment (see section 4.1.4.1 NOTE
2.a) may be done with reagent grade acetone and hexane.
4.1.2.3
Analyte-free water sources shall be subject to the following criteria:
a.
Analyte-free water is water in which all analytes of interest and all
interferences are below method detection limits.
b.
This type of water shall be obtained from a reputable source and
documentation shall be maintained to demonstrate reliability and purity of
analyte-free water sources (i.e. results from equipment blanks).
As a general rule, the following types of water should be used:
1.
Milli-Q (or equivalent) - suitable for all analyses
2.
Organic-free - may be suitable for only VOCs and extractable organics
3.
Deionized water - suitable for only inorganic analyses (metals,
nutrients, etc.)
4.
Distilled water - suitable for inorganics or microbiology
c.
Analyte-free water shall always be used for blank preparation and for
the final in-house decontamination rinse.
d.
Analyte-free water shall be transported to the field in containers of
suitable construction (see section 4.1.10).
4.1.2.4
Decontaminated field equipment shall be protected from environmental
contamination by securely wrapping and sealing with one of the following:
a.
Aluminum foil - grocery store type is acceptable;
b.
Untreated butcher paper; or
c.
Clean, disposable plastic bags may be used if only inorganics are of
concern OR the equipment is first wrapped in foil or butcher paper.
4.1.2.5
Acids
All acids used for cleaning shall be reagent
grade or better:
a.
10% hydrochloric acid is prepared by mixing one part concentrated
hydrochloric acid with 3 parts deionized water.
b.
10% nitric acid is prepared by mixing one part concentrated nitric acid
with 5 parts deionized water.
Prepare acid solutions by slowly adding the
concentrated acid to water.
4.1.3
Decontamination/Cleaning Protocols - General Considerations
4.1.3.1 All
sampling equipment (bailers, lanyards, split spoons, etc.) that come in
contact with the sample must be cleaned/decontaminated before use.
The procedures that are applicable to the majority of sampling
equipment are listed in Section 4.1.4.1.
Protocols for other specialized equipment are outlined in Sections
4.1.4.2 through 4.1.11. Unless
justified through documentation (i.e. company-written protocols and analytical
records) and historic data (i.e. absence of analytes of interest in equipment
blanks), the protocols outlined in Sections 4.1.4 through 4.1.11 shall be
followed WITHOUT modifications.
4.1.3.2 Sufficient
clean equipment should be transported to the field so that an entire study can
be conducted without the need for field cleaning.
4.1.3.3 Unless
otherwise justified, all field sampling equipment shall be precleaned in-house
(office, lab, or base of field operations) prior to arrival on-site.
4.1.3.4 All
cleaning shall be documented for each piece of field equipment.
a.
In-field decontamination shall be documented in the field records.
These records shall specify the type of equipment that is cleaned and
the specific protocols that are used (reference to internal SOPs for the
cleaning protocols is acceptable).
b.
In-house cleaning records must identify the type of equipment (i.e.
teflon bailers, PVC pump tubing, etc.), the date it was cleaned, the protocol
or SOP that was used and the person who cleaned the equipment.
4.1.4
Decontamination/Cleaning Protocols - Sampling Equipment
4.1.4.1 General Cleaning
Procedure for Teflon and Stainless Steel Sampling Equipment
This procedure shall be used when sampling for ALL
parameter groups: extractable
organics, metals, nutrients, etc.) or if a single decontamination protocol is
desired to clean all Teflon and stainless steel equipment.
The cleaning procedures described below are
for IN-FIELD cleaning, in-house
cleaning must follow NOTE 1 of this section.
a.
Clean with tap water and lab grade soap (Liquinox or equivalent) using
a brush, if necessary, to remove particulate matter or surface film (see NOTES
1, 2 and 3 of this section).
b.
Rinse thoroughly with tap water.
c.
If trace metals are to be sampled rinse with 10-15% reagent grade
nitric acid (HNO3). The acid rinse should not be used on steel sampling
equipment (bailers, augers, trowels, etc.).
See NOTE 4.
d.
Rinse thoroughly with deionized water (DI).
Enough water shall be used to ensure that all equipment surfaces are
flushed with water.
e.
Rinse twice with isopropanol. One
rinse may be used AS LONG AS all equipment surfaces are thoroughly wetted with
free-flowing solvent.
f.
Rinse thoroughly with analyte-free (see 4.1.2.3) water and allow to air
dry as long as possible.
g.
Clean sampling equipment shall be wrapped (if appropriate) in aluminum
foil, or in untreated butcher paper to prevent contamination during storage or
transport to the field.
h.
If no further sampling is to be performed, equipment must be rinsed
with tap water immediately after use.
NOTES:
1.
In house Protocols require the following:
a.
Protocols must include the use of HOT tap water and cleaning in a
contaminant-free environment.
b.
Analyte-free water must be used as a final rinse.
2.
The DER QA Section does not recommend cleaning heavily contaminated
equipment in the field. Such rigorous cleaning procedures should be performed at the
base of operations. Cleaning at
the base of operations or in the field require the following:
a.
Prerinse equipment using the following solvents in the order described:
acetone-hexane-acetone. The
solvent rinse(s) must precede the soap and water wash described in the first
step (a. above).
b.
In extreme cases, it may be necessary to steam clean the field
equipment before proceeding with step a. above.
c.
If the field equipment cannot be cleaned utilizing these procedures, it
should be discarded, unless further cleaning with stronger solvents and/or
oxidizing solutions are effective.
3.
Liquinox (or equivalent) is recommended by EPA, although Alconox (or
equivalent) may be substituted if nutrients are not sampled.
4.
If sampling for nutrients, a 10-15% reagent grade hydrochloric acid
(HCl) rinse should be used (except stainless steel equipment).
If BOTH metals and nutrients are to be sampled, the HCl rinse must
replace the HNO3 rinse, or the HNO3 rinse must be followed by the HCl rinse.
5.
Hot detergent solutions and water rinses are not required for in-field
decontamination.
4.1.4.2 Teflon
and glass equipment used to collect aqueous and solid samples for trace
organics and metals [including oil & grease, TRPH, and total organic
halogens (TOX)].
In-house cleaning - follow 4.1.4.1, see NOTES
1 and 2
In-field cleaning - follow 4.1.4.1, see NOTES
2 and 5
4.1.4.3 Stainless
Steel or Other Metallic Equipment used to collect Trace Organics and Metals
(includes oil and grease, TRPH, TOX)
In-house cleaning - follow 4.1.4.1, see NOTES
1 and 2, delete acid rinse
In-field cleaning - follow 4.1.4.1, see NOTES
2 and 5, delete acid rinse
4.1.4.4
Plastic equipment Used to Collect ONLY Trace Metals
In-house cleaning - follow 4.1.4.1 see NOTE
1, delete solvent rinse
In-field cleaning - follow 4.1.4.1 see NOTE
5, delete solvent rinse
4.1.4.5
All Equipment Used to Collect ONLY Nutrients (NH4, NO3, etc.) and
Inorganic Anions (Cl-, SO4, F-, etc.)
In-house cleaning - follow 4.1.4.1 see NOTES
1, 3, and 4; delete solvent rinse
In-field cleaning - equipment may be rinsed
with analyte-free water immediately after use, then rinsed several times with
sample water from the next sample.
4.1.4.6
All Equipment Used to Collect ONLY Demands and other inorganic
non-metals
In-house cleaning - follow 4.1.4.1 see NOTE
1, delete solvent and acid rinses
In-field cleaning - equipment may be rinsed
with analyte-free water immediately after use, then rinsed several times with
sample water from the next sample.
4.1.5
Automatic Wastewater Samplers, Sampling Trains and Bottles
4.1.5.1 General
- All ISCO and other automatic samplers shall be cleaned as follows:
a.
The exterior and accessible interior (excluding the waterproof timing
mechanisms) portions of automatic samplers shall be washed with laboratory
detergent (see NOTE 3 above) and rinsed with tap water.
b.
The face of the timing case mechanisms shall be cleaned with a clean,
damp cloth.
c.
All tubing (sample intake and pump tubing) should be checked and
changed on a regular basis. Tubing
shall be changed if it has become discolored (i.e. mold and algae) or if it
has lost its elasticity.
d.
New precleaned Silastic pump tubing (see 4.1.7.2 below) shall be
installed.
4.1.5.2
ISCO (or equivalent) Automatic Sampler Rotary Funnel and Distributor
a.
Clean with hot water, laboratory detergent (see NOTE 3 above) and a
brush.
b.
Rinse thoroughly with deionized water.
c.
Replace in sampler.
4.1.5.3
ISCO (or equivalent) Sampler Metal Tube
Clean as outlined in 4.1.7.3 below.
4.1.5.4
All Automatic Sampler Headers
a.
Disassemble header and using a bottle brush, wash with hot water and
phosphate-free laboratory detergent.
b.
Rinse thoroughly with deionized water.
c.
Reassemble header, let dry thoroughly and wrap with aluminum foil.
4.1.5.5
Reusable Glass Composite Sample Containers
a.
If containers are used to collect samples that contain oil, grease or
other hard to remove materials, it may be necessary to rinse the container
several times with reagent-grade acetone before the detergent wash.
If material cannot be removed with acetone, the container must be
discarded.
b.
Wash containers thoroughly with hot tap water and laboratory detergent
(see NOTE 3 above).
c.
Rinse containers thoroughly with hot tap water.
d.
If metals are to be samples, rinse containers with at least 10 percent
nitric acid (see NOTE 4 above).
e.
Rinse containers thoroughly with tap water.
f.
Rinse containers thoroughly with deionized water.
g.
If organics are to be sampled, rinse twice with solvent (isopropanol
recommended) and allow to air dry for at least 24 hours.
h.
Cap with aluminum foil, Teflon film or the decontaminated teflon-lined
lid.
I.
After using, rinse with tap water in the field, seal with aluminum foil
to keep the interior of the container wet, and return to the laboratory or
base of operations.
j.
Containers should not be recycled or reused if:
1.
Containers used to collect in-process (i.e. untreated or partially
treated) wastewater samples at industrial facilities;
2.
Any bottle having a visible film, scale or discoloration that remains
after the above protocols have been used; or
3.
Containers were used to collect samples at pesticide, herbicide or
other chemical manufacturing facilities that produce toxic or noxious
compounds. Such containers shall
be properly disposed of (preferably at the facility) at the conclusion of the
sampling activities.
If the containers described above are reused,
no less than 10% of the cleaned containers must be checked for the analytes of
interest BEFORE use. If found to
be contaminated (i.e. constituents of interest are found at MDL levels or
higher), the containers SHALL BE DISCARDED.
4.1.5.6
Plastic Reusable Composite Sample Containers
a.
Use the protocols outlined in 4.1.5.5 above but omit the solvent rinse.
b.
Restrictions on reused or recycled containers listed in 4.1.5.5.j above
shall be followed.
4.1.5.7 ISCO
(or equivalent) Glass Sequential Sample Bottles for Automatic Sampler Based
for Sequential Mode
Glass sequential sample bottles to be used in
collecting inorganic samples shall be cleaned using the following protocol:
a.
Rinse with 10 percent nitric acid.
b.
Rinse thoroughly with tap water.
c.
Wash in dishwasher at wash cycle, using laboratory detergent cycle,
followed by tap and deionized rinse cycles.
Note: containers may be manually washed using protocol followed in
4.1.5.5 above. Solvent rinse
should be deleted.
d.
Replace bottles in covered, automatic sampler base; cover with aluminum
foil for storage.
e.
Rinse bottles in the field with tap water as soon as possible after
sampling event.
4.1.5.8 ISCO
(or equivalent) Glass Sequential Samples Bottles (Automatic Sampler Base for
Sequential Mode) to be used for Collecting Samples for Organic Compounds
a.
Use cleaning protocols outlined in 4.1.5.5 above or use 4.1.5.7 above
adding a solvent rinse after 7.c. Allow
containers to air dry for at least 24 hours before use.
b.
Replace in covered automatic sampler base; and cover with aluminum foil
for storage.
4.1.5.9
Bottle Siphons Used to Transfer Samples from Composite Containers
a.
Rinse tubing with solvent and dry overnight in a drying oven.
b.
Cap ends with aluminum foil and/or teflon film for storage.
c.
Seal in plastic for storage and transport.
d.
Flush siphon thoroughly with sample before use.
4.1.5.10
Reusable Teflon Composite Mixer Rods
a.
Follow protocols outlined in Section 4.1.4.1 above.
b.
Wrap in aluminum foil for storage.
4.1.6.1
Dissolved Constituents using In-Line, Molded and Disposable Filter
Units
a.
Peristaltic pump
1.
The peristaltic pump is cleaned per section 4.1.8.2.b "Pumps used
for sampling"
2.
The silastic pump tubing is cleaned per section 4.1.7.2
3.
If Teflon tubing is used, it must be cleaned per 4.1.7.1
4.
Other tubing types [high density polyethylene (HDPE), etc.] must be
cleaned according to the appropriate protocol listed in 4.1.7
b.
Other equipment types (e.g. pressurized teflon bailer)
1.
Other types of equipment that utilize in-line, molded and disposable
filters shall follow the appropriate cleaning regimen specified in Sections
4.1.4.1 through 4.1.4.6.
c.
Note: filtration units for dissolved metals shall follow the
configuration and requirements outlined in Figure 4.1 and Table 4.1.
4.1.6.2
Dissolved Constituents using Non-disposable Filtration Units (i.e.
syringes, "tripod assembly", etc.)
a.
Proceed with steps 1 through 5 of section 4.1.4.1, assembling and
applying pressure to the apparatus after each rinse step (water and acid) to
drive rinse material through the porous filter holder in the bottom of the
apparatus.
b.
Remove and clean any transfer tubing per appropriate cleaning protocols
(see section 4.1.7).
c.
Assemble the unit and cap both the pressure inlet and sample discharge
lines (or whole unit if a syringe) with aluminum foil to prevent contamination
during storage.
1.
Note: if the unit is to be
used to filter only inorganic constituents (i.e. metals, nutrients, etc.), the
unit may be sealed in a plastic bag to prevent contamination.
4.1.7
Sample Tubing Decontamination
4.1.7.1
Teflon Tubing
a.
New Tubing - if new tubing is used once and discarded, preclean as
follows:
1.
rinse outside of tubing with pesticide-grade solvent
2.
flush inside of tubing with pesticide-grade solvent
3.
dry overnight in drying oven or equivalent (zero air, nitrogen, etc.)
b.
Reused Tubing - tubing shall be transported to the field in precut,
precleaned sections. The
description below was written for in-lab cleaning only, FIELD CLEANING IS NOT
RECOMMENDED. In-house cleaning shall follow these steps:
1.
Exterior of the tubing must be cleaned first by soaking the Teflon
tubing in hot, soapy water in a stainless steel sink (or equivalent
non-contaminating material). Use a brush to remove any particulates, if necessary.
2.
Take a small bottle brush and clean the inside of the tubing ends where
the barbs are to be inserted.
3.
Rinse tubing exterior and ends liberally with tap water.
4.
Rinse tubing surfaces and ends with nitric acid, tap water,
isopropanol, and finally analyte-free water.
5.
Place tubing on fresh aluminum foil.
Connect all of the pre-cut lengths of Teflon hose with Teflon inserts
or barbs.
6.
Cleaning configuration:
a.
Cleaning reagents (soapy water, acid, isopropanol, etc.) shall be
placed in an appropriately cleaned container (2-liter glass jar is
recommended)
b.
Place one end of the teflon tubing into the cleaning solution.
c.
Attach the other end of the teflon tubing set to the INFLUENT end of
the peristaltic pump.
d.
The effluent from the peristaltic pump may be recycled by connecting
tubing from the effluent to the glass jar with the cleaning reagents.
e.
Recycling as described above may be done for all reagents listed in 7
below EXCEPT the final isopropanol
rinse and the final analyte-free water rinse.
Disconnect the tubing between the effluent end of the pump and the jar
of cleaning reagents.
1.
Isopropanol should be containerized in a waste container for proper
disposal;
2.
Analyte-free water may be discarded down the drain.
7.
Using the above configuration:
a.
Pump copious amounts of hot, soapy water through the connected lengths.
b.
Follow with tap water, 10% nitric acid, tap water, then isopropanol,
and finally analyte-free water.
c.
During the nitric acid and solvent rinses, turn the pump off and allow
the reagents to remain in the tubing for 15 minutes, then continue with the
next step. Pumping a liter (each)
of the nitric acid and solvent should be sufficient, depending on the inside
diameter of the hose.
d.
Leave the Teflon inserts or barbs between the pre-cut lengths and cap
or connect the remaining ends.
8.
After the interior has been cleaned as described above, the exterior
shall be rinsed with analyte-free water.
9. The
connected lengths should then be wrapped in aluminum foil or untreated butcher
paper and stored in a clean, dry area until use.
Documentation for this cleaning shall be noted in the organization
cleaning records.
4.1.7.2 Silastic
Rubber Pump Tubing used in Automatic Samplers and other peristaltic pumps -
this tubing need not be replaced if the sample does not contact the tubing or
if the pump is used for only purging (i.e., not being used to collect
samples). Tubing must be changed
on a regular basis if used for sampling:
a.
Flush tubing with hot tap water and lab-grade detergent solution
b.
Rinse thoroughly with hot tap water
c.
Rinse thoroughly with DI water
d.
If used to collected metals samples, the tubing shall be flushed with
1+5 nitric acid, followed by thorough rinsing with DI water
e.
Install tubing in peristaltic pump or automatic WW sampler
f.
Cap both ends with aluminum foil or equivalent
NOTE:
Tubing must be changed at specified frequencies as part the
preventative maintenance on the equipment.
4.1.7.3
Stainless Steel Tubing
The
exterior and interior of stainless steel tubing shall be cleaned as follows:
a.
lab-grade soap solution with a long, narrow bottle brush
b.
rinse with (hot) tap water
c.
rinse with DI water
d.
rinse twice with isopropanol (if organics are sampled)
e.
completely air dry or thoroughly rinse with analyte-free water
4.1.7.4
Glass Tubing
a.
Use new glass tubing
b.
Rinse with isopropanol (if organics are of concern)
c.
Air dry for at least 24 hours
d.
Wrap in aluminum foil or untreated butcher paper to prevent
contamination during storage
e.
Discard tubing after use
4.1.7.5
Miscellaneous Non-Inert Tubing Types (tygon, rubber, HDPE, PVC, etc.)
a.
New Tubing
1.
As a general rule, new tubing may be used without preliminary cleaning.
2.
New tubing shall be protected from potential environmental
contamination by wrapping in aluminum foil, sealing in plastic bags or in the
original sealed packaging.
3.
If new tubing is exposed to potential contamination, the exterior and
interior shall be thoroughly rinsed with hot tap water followed by a thorough
rinse with deionized water.
4.
If new tubing is to be used to collect samples, the tubing shall be
thoroughly rinsed with sample water (i.e. pump sample water though the tubing)
before collecting samples.
b.
Reused Tubing
1.
Flush tubing with soapy solution of hot tap water and laboratory
detergent.
2.
Rinse exterior and interior thoroughly with hot tap water.
3.
Rinse exterior and interior thoroughly with deionized water.
4.
If used to collected metals samples, the tubing shall be flushed with
10% nitric acid, followed by thorough rinsing with DI water
5.
Wrap tubing and cap ends in aluminum foil and seal in plastic to
prevent contamination during storage and transport.
4.1.8.1
Submersible pumps
a.
Pumps used for purging and sampling trace metals and/or organics
1.
Construction of pump body and internal mechanisms (bladders, impellers,
etc.), including seals and connections must follow Table 4.1
2.
Choice of tubing material must follow Table 4.1
3.
Pump exterior must be cleaned per section 4.1.4.1.
Note: the solvent rinse
shall be deleted if the pump body is constructed of plastic (i.e. ABS, PVC,
etc.)
4.
Pump internal cavity and mechanism must be cleaned as follows:
a.
If for purging only, then the pump must be completely flushed with
potable water prior to purging the next well.
b.
If for purging and sampling, then it must be completely disassembled
(if so designed) and decontaminated between each well.
c.
If the pump cannot be (practically) disassembled, then the internal
cavity/mechanism must be cleaned by pumping copious amounts of lab-grade soap
solution, tap water, and DI water.
5.
Teflon tubing will be cleaned per section 4.1.7.1.
6.
Stainless steel tubing will be cleaned per section 4.1.7.3.
7.
Cleaning of non-inert tubing shall follow the appropriate protocols in
section 4.1.7 above (NOTE: very few options exist for non-inert tubing to be
used for purging and/or sampling for trace organics).
b.
Pumps used for all other constituents (nutrient/ inorganic anions)
1.
Pump construction - no restrictions
2.
Pump tubing material - no restrictions
3.
Scrub the exterior of the pump with appropriate metal-, phosphate- or
ammonia-free detergent solution
4.
Rinse the exterior with tap water and deionized water
5.
Rinse interior of pump and tubing by pumping tap or deionized water
through the system using clean bucket or drum.
4.1.8.2
Above Ground Pumps Used for Purging and Sampling
a.
Pumps used for purging only
1.
Exterior of the pump must be free of oil and grease
2.
Tubing choice must follow restrictions as specified in Table 4.1.
3.
Tubing coming in contact with formation water shall be cleaned
according to the appropriate protocol for construction materials specified in
section 4.1.7.
b.
Pumps used for sampling
1.
Exterior of pump must be cleaned with a detergent wash followed by tap
and DI water rinses
2.
Tubing choice must follow restrictions as specified in Table 4.1.
3.
Tubing coming in contact with formation water shall be cleaned
according to the appropriate protocol for construction materials specified in
section 4.1.7.
4.1.9
Field Instruments and Drilling Equipment
4.1.9.1
Field Instruments (tapes, meters, etc.)
a.
wipe down equipment body, probes, and cables with lab-grade detergent
solution,
b.
rinse thoroughly with tap water,
c.
rinse thoroughly with DI water, and
d.
wrap equipment in aluminum foil, untreated butcher paper or plastic
bags to eliminate potential environmental contamination.
An
optional isopropanol rinse may be performed if equipment comes in contact with
contaminated water, etc.
4.1.9.2
Soil Boring Equipment
This pertains only to equipment that is
NOT used to collect samples. Split
spoons, bucket augers and other sampling devices must be cleaned per
requirements listed in 4.1.4.1 or 4.1.4.3 above.
a.
The engine and power head, auger stems, bits and other associated
equipment should be cleaned with a power washer, steam jenny or hand washed
with a brush using detergent (no degreasers) to remove oil, grease, and
hydraulic fluid from the exterior of the unit.
b.
Rinse thoroughly with tap water.
[[4.1.9.3
Well Casing Cleaning]]
These
protocols are included and are meant as RECOMMENDATIONS for cleaning well
casing and riser pipes. Recommendations
from other DER programs, if different or more stringent, SHALL BE FOLLOWED.
[[a.
The Department recommends only using casing that is designed for
subsurface environmental groundwater monitoring.
PVC pipe that is designed for well casing shall be transported to the
field in original packing boxes.
b.
Other PVC casing (for plumbing, etc. uses) shall be prepared for
cleaning by sanding stencils (if present) on those portions of riser pipe that
may come in contact with formation water.
The ink used for stenciling may contribute to or contaminate the real
samples. Casing that has been
contaminated with grease, hydraulic fluid, petroleum fuel, etc. may require
additional cleaning or deemed unusable.
c.
All casing and riser pipe should be cleaned just prior to installation
using the following protocol:
1.
Steam clean all casing and riser pipe.
Steam cleaning criteria shall meet the following: water pressure - 2500
psi, water temperature - 200F.
2.
Rinse thoroughly with tap (potable) water.
This tap water must be free of the analytes of interest, in effect
analyte-free. Some potable water sources may have very low levels of
contamination (e.g. benzene, trihalomethane, trichloroethane). A
potable water source should only be used if it is known to be free of those
contaminants that are being investigated.]]
4.1.10
Analyte-Free Water Containers
Analyte-free containers are defined by
EPA to be glass containers. The
DER QA Section will allow these containers to be made of glass, Teflon,
polypropylene, or high density polyethylene (HDPE).
It is strongly recommended that inert glass or Teflon be used for
containerizing organic-free sources of water.
Polypropylene is a good second choice. HDPE,
though not recommended, is acceptable. Analyte-free
water should not be left in these containers for extended periods, especially
HDPE. These containers should be
filled up for a single sampling event and then emptied at the end of the
sampling day. EPA's cleaning
procedure for glass (Teflon and polypropylene) is as follows:
4.1.10.1
New Containers
a.
Wash per instructions in 4.1.4.1 [(delete solvent rinse if plastic
(HDPE or polypropylene) containers are being cleaned].
b.
Cap with Teflon film, aluminum foil or the bottle cap.
Note: the bottle cap shall
be equipped with a teflon liner. Aluminum
foil or teflon film may be used as liner material.
4.1.10.2
Reused Containers
a.
Immediately after being emptied, cap with aluminum foil, teflon film or
the container cap.
b.
Wash container exterior with lab-grade detergent solution and rinsed
with DI water
c.
Rinse interior twice with isopropanol (delete if containers are
plastic, see 4.1.10.1.a above)
d.
Rinse interior thoroughly with analyte-free water,
e.
Invert and allow to drain and dry
f.
Fill container with analyte-free water and cap tightly with aluminum
foil, Teflon film or the container cap. Note: the bottle cap shall be equipped with a teflon liner.
Aluminum foil or teflon film may be used as liner material.
g.
Water shall not be stored for more than 3 days prior to a sampling
trip.
4.1.11
Ice Chests and Shipping Containers
4.1.11.1
Wash exterior and interior of all ice chests with laboratory detergent
(see NOTE 3).
4.1.11.2
Rinse with tap water and air dry before storage.
4.1.11.3
If the ice chest becomes severely contaminated with concentrated waste
or other toxic or hazardous materials, it should be cleaned as thoroughly as
possible, rendered unusable, and properly disposed.