sample collection using epa method 1669 supporting ... - low-level mercury.pdf · low-level mercury...

Sample Collection using EPA Method 1669 Supporting Wastewater Treatment

Phil Komar Josh FrankVice President, Federal Services Field Services

Low-Level Mercury 1631ELaboratory testing methodDeveloped by U.S. EPA to quantify mercury at low levels.1631E Reporting Limit is 0.0005 ug/L (0.5 ng/L)

Traditional Mercury Method for Wastewater is EPA Method 245.1 245.1 Reporting Limit is 0.2 ug/L

Sampling: EPA Method 1669EPA Method 1669: Sampling Ambient Water for Trace Metals at EPA Water Quality Criteria LevelsKnown as the “Clean Hands, Dirty Hands”sample collection techniqueAn ultra-clean sample collection technique

• Manhole and Lift Stations• Pond or Sampling Basin

Manhole and Lift StationsTwo-Person Sample CollectionEquipment:

Peristaltic PumpC-Flex Tubing (flexible tubing used for the pump head)Teflon Tubing

The tubing and 40 ml sample vials are pre-cleaned at the laboratory and double-bagged prior to the sample collection event.

Manhole and Lift Stations

Supplies:Tyvek SuitsStandard Gloves Shoulder Length Gloves40 ml VOA VialsCooler for Transportation

Manhole and Lift StationsSample Collection Procedure

Two Samplers are required1. “Clean Hands” sampler 2. “Dirty Hands” samplerOpen manhole cover of lift station lid and place the peristaltic pump near the openingBoth samplers put on Tyvek suits, shoulder length gloves, and standard gloves (in that order)

Manhole and Lift StationsSample Collection continued…

The Dirty Hands opens the outer bag holding the tubingThe Clean hands opens the inner bag holding the tubing and removes the tubingThe Cleans Hands lowers the tubing into the manhole/lift station and places the flexible tubing into the pump head.Clean Hands must make sure that the outer end of the tubing does not touch anything


Dirty closes the pump head and turns the pump on.Once the pump is running, Clean positions the sampling end of the tubing as far upstream as possible.It 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 procedureDirty opens the outer bag containing the sample containers (40 ml VOA vials)


Clean opens the inner bag and removes one vialClean opens the lid holding the discharge tubing Holding the lid and a vial in one hand, Clean holds the discharge tubing in the other handClean rinses the vial 3 times, fills the vial with the water sample and attaches the cap to the vial, making sure there is no headspaceThe sample vial is returned to the bag and a second vial is filled following the same steps


After 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 laboratory.The samplers can remove their Tyvek suits and gloves after the samples are secured in the cooler.

Manhole and Lift StationsNoteworthy Cautions

When the sample vials are open, the sampler should avoid breathing in the direction of the vials , if no face mask is worn.Sampling vehicles should never be runningIf 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 emissionsA new set of PPE (Tyvek Suits and Gloves) must be used for each sampling locationQuality Controls Samples: Field Duplicate and Field Blank

Pond or Sampling BasinTwo-Person Sample Collection

Equipment:1000-ml Teflon Beaker Dipper with 6-foot handle

Pond or Sampling BasinSupplies:

Tyvek SuitsStandard GlovesShoulder Length GlovesFace Mask (if fillings present)40 ml VOA VialsCooler for Sample Transportation

Pond or Sampling BasinSample Collection Procedure

Two Samplers are required1. “Clean Hands” sampler 2. “Dirty Hands” sampler

The 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 event.

Pond or Sampling BasinSample Collection continued…

Both samplers put on PPE1. Tyvek suits2. Shoulder-length gloves3. Standard glovesDirty handles the top of the Teflon dipper and removes the outer bagClean removes the inner bag and handles only the pre-cleaned and double-bagged portion of the Teflon dipper


Dirty opens outer bag containing the sample vialsClean opens inner bag and removes one of the vialsThe two samplers work together to dip the Teflon beaker in the sample stream or pondClean rinses the sample vial and cap three times and the vial is filled with sample and secured with the capClean hands places the collected sample in the inner bag and the process is repeated to fill an additional sample


After 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 laboratory.The samplers can remove their Tyvek suits and gloves after the samples are secured in the cooler.

Thank 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 Award

sample collection using epa method 1669 supporting ... - low-level mercury.pdf · low-level mercury...

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