NJDEP issues Amalgam Rule Mandate

Environmental NEWS - Spring 2008

In January 2008, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) issued a mandate for all waste-water facilities to analyze for low levels of mercury in their effluent water. With the new Amalgam Rule, NJDEP is requiring waste-water facilities to monitor current mercury levels through three different samplings, every 30 days. Facilities have until June 2008 to comply. And again in 2010, the State will require another round of testing by Method 1631E.

Additionally, NJDEP is requiring dental facilities to add Amalgam traps to the wastewater effluents.

NELAC accredited in Method 1631E and on New Jersey’s certification list, Lancaster Laboratories has the scientific experience in working with treatment facilities and consultants on proper sampling techniques, collection services and analyses.

Bob Strocko, metals department manager at Lancaster Laboratories, says, “We continually take steps to improve the quality of service and data for clients.” Some of these steps are:

Custom-instrument enclosures, which provide HEPA-filtered fresh outside air.
Fluoropolymer bottles tested at a rate of 10 percent per lot to show they meet 1631E cleanliness requirements.
Compliance with method 1669’s “clean-hands/dirty-hands” guidelines in sample collection, prep and analyses.

For more information, call Bob Strocko, 717-656-2300, ext. 1207.