MISSION:
To provide technical,
regulatory information and training to environmental and clinical laboratory
personnel to assist laboratorians in producing quality laboratory data to help
protect public health and the environment.
This is accomplished by:
A. Training
The Training Program provides various types of training sessions and roundtable
discussions covering environmental and clinical topics of interest. Examples
include: laboratory safety, laboratory waste disposal, analytical methods,
laboratory equipment maintenance and troubleshooting, and environmental
sampling. Personnel at licensed laboratories are polled to provide their input on
specific training needs, and this information is used in the development of the
training sessions.
B. Consultation
The office has a toll-free technical information hot-line which laboratorians
can use to request technical and regulatory information. The requested
information is provided by the staff consultants, who research applicable
regulations and approved analytical methods. They work with the consultants who
perform the laboratory audits, as well as other experts from the State
Laboratory and other Federal and State regulatory agencies.
C. Mediation Between Agencies
Training and Technical Resources personnel serve as mediators between
laboratorians and various regulatory agencies, such as the USEPA and the ADEQ.
These relationships allow laboratorians to keep up-to-date on information about
rapidly changing regulatory requirements for laboratories. The office also
relays concerns of the laboratorians to agency personnel, and works as an
intermediary in resolving problems with the implementation of regulations. As a
result of this mediation, regulations have been amended.
D. Information Updates
The Technical Resources and Training section sends out periodic
"Information Updates"
via fax to environmental laboratories licensed by the State of Arizona, and some
other members of the environmental community, totaling over 200 facilities. The Information Updates
contain information on new federal or state regulations from the Arizona
Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (USEPA), and Arizona Laboratory Licensure. They also include
mandated methodology changes, clarifications on environmental issues, and
training announcements.
The general public can obtain hard copies of the "Information Updates"
by contacting any of the training staff at (602) 364-0720 or (800) 952-0374.
There will be a charge of 25 cents per page for non-Arizona licensed
laboratories.
E. Quality Assurance For Chemistry
The office assists with the quality assurance for the Chemistry
Department of the State Laboratory, monitors the training of their staff,
reviews their Standard Operating Procedures, Quality Assurance Manual, and their
proficiency evaluation samples. |
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