Sample Collection using EPA Method 1669 …

1 Sample Collection using EPA Method 1669 Supporting Wastewater Treatment Phil KomarJosh FrankVice President, Federal ServicesField ServicesLow-Level Mercury 1631 EyLaboratory testing methodyDeveloped by EPA to quantify mercury at low Reporting Limit is ug/L ( ng/L)yTraditional Mercury Method for Wastewater is EPA Method Reporting Limit is ug/LSampling: EPA Method 1669yEPA Method 1669: Sampling Ambient Water for Trace Metals at EPA Water Quality Criteria LevelsyKnown as the Clean Hands, Dirty Hands Sample Collection techniqueyAn ultra-clean Sample Collection technique Manhole and Lift Stations Pond or Sampling BasinManhole and Lift StationsTwo-Person Sample CollectionEquipment:yPeristaltic PumpyC-Flex Tubing (flexible tubing used for the pump head)yTeflon TubingThe tubing and 40 ml Sample vials are pre-cleaned at the laboratory and double-bagged prior to the Sample Collection and Lift StationsSupplies:yTyvekSuitsyStandard Gloves yShoulder Length Glovesy40 ml VOA VialsyCooler for TransportationManhole and Lift StationsSample Collection ProcedureyTwo Samplers are required1.

2 Clean Hands sampler 2. Dirty Hands sampleryOpen manhole cover of lift station lid and place the peristaltic pump near the openingyBoth samplers put on Tyveksuits, shoulder length gloves, and standard gloves (in that order)Manhole and Lift StationsSample Collection Dirty Hands opens the outer bag holding the tubingyThe Clean hands opens the inner bag holding the tubing and removes the tubingyThe Cleans Hands lowers the tubing into the manhole/lift station and places the flexible tubing into the pump Hands must make sure that the outer end of the tubing does not touch anythingManhole and Lift StationsSample Collection closes the pump head and turns the pump the pump is running, Clean positions the sampling end of the tubing as far upstream as is placed upstream as far as possible to prevent stirring-up the inlet area because of the significant impact solids have on the low-level mercury procedureyDirty opens the outer bag containing the Sample containers (40 ml VOA vials)

3 Manhole and Lift StationsSample Collection opens the inner bag and removes one vialyClean opens the lid holding the discharge tubing yHolding the lid and a vial in one hand, Clean holds the discharge tubing in the other handyClean rinses the vial 3 times, fills the vial with the water Sample and attaches the cap to the vial, making sure there is no headspaceyThe Sample vial is returned to the bag and a second vial is filled following the same stepsManhole and Lift StationsSample Collection all Sample vials have been filled, Clean closes the inner bag, the outer bag, and the places the bagged Sample vials in the cooler for transportation to the samplers can remove their Tyveksuits and gloves after the samples are secured in the and Lift StationsNoteworthy CautionsyWhen the Sample vials are open, the sampler should avoid breathing in the direction of the vials , if no face mask is vehicles should never be runningyIf there is vehicle traffic in the area, the sampler should place their body between the traffic and Sample point, when safety allows, to reduce the risk of contamination from vehicle emissionsyA new set of PPE (TyvekSuits and Gloves) must be used for each sampling locationyQuality Controls samples : Field Duplicate and Field BlankPond or Sampling BasinTwo-Person Sample CollectionEquipment:y1000-ml Teflon Beaker Dipper with 6-foot handlePond or Sampling BasinSupplies:yTyvekSuitsyStandard GlovesyShoulder Length GlovesyFace Mask (if fillings present)y40 ml VOA VialsyCooler for Sample TransportationPond or Sampling BasinSample Collection ProcedureyTwo Samplers are required1.

4 Clean Hands sampler 2. Dirty Hands sampleryThe bottom two feet of the Teflon dipper (near the beaker) and the 40 ml Sample vials are pre-cleaned at the laboratory and double-bagged prior to the Sample Collection or Sampling BasinSample Collection samplers put on glovesyDirty handles the top of the Teflon dipper and removes the outer bagyClean removes the inner bag and handles only the pre-cleaned and double-bagged portion of the Teflon dipperPond or Sampling BasinySample Collection opens outer bag containing the Sample vialsyClean opens inner bag and removes one of the vialsyThe two samplers work together to dip the Teflon beaker in the Sample stream or pondyClean rinses the Sample vial and cap three times and the vial is filled with Sample and secured with the capyClean hands places the collected Sample in the inner bag and the process is repeated to fill an additional samplePond or Sampling BasinSample Collection all Sample vials have been filled, Clean closes the inner bag, the outer bag.

5 And the places the bagged Sample vials in the cooler for transportation to the samplers can remove their Tyveksuits and gloves after the samples are secured in the You Analytical Testing Laboratory Servicing NPDES and Wastewater Discharge Programs throughout the United States Full-service analytical testing, including Low-Level Mercury and Available Cyanide (OIA 1677) Sample Collection Services NELAC Accredited 7-Time Winner of the ACIL Seal of Excellence Awar