RTC Environmental. Proficiency Testing. Quality Exceeding Expectations. Water Proficiency Testing. Micro Proficiency Testing. Soil and Solid Waste

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1 RTC Environmental Proficiency Testing Quality Exceeding Expectations Water Proficiency Testing Micro Proficiency Testing Soil and Solid Waste Proficiency Testing Air Proficiency Testing

2 Ensure Precision and Accuracy Ensuring your laboratory's results are accurate and precise is critical in a competitive market. The analytical competence of a laboratory is guaranteed in the form of accreditation from an approved body. An essential part of this process is the participation in proficiency testing, usually in the form of the analysis of Certified Reference Materials (CRM) or Proficiency Testing (PT) samples. Sample Pre Treatment Sampling Sample Processing Analyte Extraction Sample Analysis Analytical Competence Sample Clean Up Proficiency Testing from Sigma-Aldrich RTC Sigma-Aldrich RTC has been producing environmental laboratory proficiency testing programs, also known as Performance Evaluation (PE), for more than 20 years. More than 20,000 PT samples a year are sent to over 2,500 labs worldwide. Our environmental laboratory proficiency testing programs are accredited by ACLASS to ISO/IEC 17043: 2010, Certificate No AP-1469 and recognised by all accreditation bodies worldwide, and cover the following areas of testing: Waste Water (including surface, borehole, discharge and sea waters) (WP) Drinking Water (WS) Contaminated Land (LPTP/UST) Air Quality and Emissions (AIR) The RTC Advantage Water: Matrix Modifiers Specific water matrix modifiers are available for hard, waste and sea water to simulate real water samples. Choice of Formats Most RTC water PT samples are available as concentrates or ready to use volumes. Water PT (duplicate samples - concentrates only) One sample can be used for analysis, the other retained for QC purposes using the study data values. Solids: RTC Soil PT samples behave as real soils, and, unless there is no alternative, are not simply spikes added to a blank soil. Supply: CRMs Match PT Samples For every PT sample, a CRM is available. Quick-Turn Studies If you are a registered PT studies end user, Quick-Turn studies are available at no additional cost, alongside regular scheduled distributions. Reporting: Flexible Reporting Multiple Methods, Analysts or Equipment can be reported for the same analyte at no extra charge. Third Party Reports Evaluation reports can be sent to an authorised third party at no additional cost. On Line Reporting Results can be uploaded and all PT documents viewed and downloaded through our secure website. Certificates of Excellence & Proficiency Issued to Laboratories that demonstrate excellence throughout the year. Overview of Proficiency Testing Products Metals and Inorganics Organics Gases Physical Properties Drinking water (WS) WP Soils & Solid Waste Air Micro 2 sigma-aldrich.com ORDER: TECHNICAL SERVICE:

3 Study Schedule and Quick Turn Studies RTC study schedules allow the laboratory to optimise frequency and content of each individual distribution. Please refer to our website for the current study schedule. Quick-Turn Studies When you need to perform a Proficiency Test at short notice, Quick-Turn PT rounds are available for the majority of the RTC sample portfolio. Quick-Turns are provided at the same price as our scheduled samples. In most cases laboratories can usually use these samples for: Supporting new method validation As a tool for corrective action To demonstrate analytical competence To train new lab personnel Choosing your PT products An invaluable Samples Quick Reference Guide is available to make your choice of products simple. The guide contains over 250 products in an easily searchable format. Visit to download a copy that contains product details, including analyte and indicative level listing per sample. Did You Know? A large proportion of our PT samples are supplied in duplicate, at no extra cost! We can also supply matched QC materials to complement your PT. You can access our FAQ at Or by contacting your local technical support on eurtechserv@sial.com or ets@sial.com How Quick-Turn Works: 1. Find the samples you need and request they are to be sent as a Quick-Turn. 2. These samples will be dispatched as soon as possible. 3. You have 45 days from time of shipment to complete the analysis. 4. If you complete the analysis quicker than 45 days, submit your results to RTC. The day you submit your results the study will close. 5. Within 48 hours of data submission you will receive your evaluation report. Proficiency Testing Sub-Categories Include: Water Pollution/Waste Water Water Supply/Drinking Water Solids/Soils Hazardous Waste PTs Microbiological Air Soils and Solids Quick Reference Guide Simply click on the name of the PT you are interested in, in the summary table, and it will take you to the part number, analytes, description and sample preparation instructions for that product. QC materials are also available for these products. Please substitute PE for QC ie QC material for p/ SPE013-30G is QO013-30G Solid and Soils Summary Table Metals and inorganics Organics Gases Gasoline in Soil by MA Method VPH, BNAs in Soil, Gasoline in Soil by WI Method, BTEX/MTBE in Soil, Gasoline in Soil, PCB Congeners in Shrimp, Anions in soil, BTEX/MTBE in Soil (AK), Gasoline in Soil (WA), PCB Congeners in Soil, Chromium VI, BTEX/MTBE in Soil (WI), Herbicides in Soil, PCBs in Soil, Cyanide in Soil, Carbamates in Soil, RRO in Soil, Phenolics in Soil (TOX), Fluoride/Chloride, Chlordane in Soil, Nitrosamines / Nitroaromatics, Phenols, Lead In Plastic, Chlorinated Pesticides in Soil, NJDEP EPH in Soil, VOAs in Soil (Medium Level) Lead in Powdered Paint, Diesel in Soil (AK), Oil and Grease in Soil, VOAS in Soil (Low Level), Metals in Oil, Diesel in Soil by MA Methods, Organic Lead in Soil (Sample 1), TRPH IR Screen Soil, Metals in Sewage Sludge, Diesel in Soil, Organic Lead in Soil (Sample 2), TPH in Soil, - Metals in Soil, Diesel in Soil (WA), Organo-Tin in Soil, TPH in Soil (Low), Methyl Mercury in Sediment, Diesel in Soil (WI), Organophosphorus Pesticides, TPH in Soil (High), Nutrients in Soil, Dioxin and Furans in Soil, PAHs by HPLC, Toxaphene in Soil, Sulfide in Soil, Dioxins and Furans in Tissue, PBDE/PCBs in Sediment, TCLP VOA, Uranium in Soil Dioxins/Furans in Shrimp, PCB Congeners in Fish Tissue, TCLP Semi-VOAs, Free Liquids in Paint, PCB Congeners in Sea Water Mussel, Solvent Screen Gasoline in Soil (AK), Physical properties Corrosivity, Flash Point, Heat of Combustion, Oxidizer Screen, Reactivity, Solids in Soil, Specific Gravity Ask Us! If your lab is missing a particular PT, please ask us! We may be able to help by: Modifying an existing sample Having plans to add it to our portfolio Contact us at rteurope@sial.com. 3

4 Water Proficiency Testing Organics, Inorganics Water Supply Low level (WS) WS Metals and Inorganics Organics Physical Properties Anionic Surfactant (MBAS) Adipate Phthalate ph Anions Pesticides Dioxin, Diquat Acidity Bromate & Bromide Endothall, Glyphosate Paraquat, EDB Turbidity Chlorate & Chlorite DBCP Gasoline Additives Colour Chromium VI Herbicides Organic Disinfection By-Products Oxygen Demand Cyanide (total) PCB Congeners VOCs Corrosivity/Sodium Residual Free Chlorine (RFC), Silica Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Trihalomethanes Trace Metals Water Pollution Mid to High level (WP) WP Metals and Inorganics Organics Physical Properties Anionic Surfactant (MBAS) Acid Compounds Base/Neutrals Compounds (BNA) ph (incl. in seawater) Anions Diesel & Gasoline, Total Recoverable Organophosphorus & Acidity Chromium VI Petroleum Hydrocarbons Organochlorine Pesticides Turbidity Nutrients PAHs PCB Congeners Colour Cyanide Volatile Organic Compounds Volatile Residue / Demand Fixed Solids Minerals Odour Phenolics Tannin and Lignin Residues Solids Residues Solids Sulfide (Total & Soluble) Trace Metals (Total & Soluble) Hardness mg/l or ppm Calcium mg/l or ppm Calcium Carbonate Degrees Clarke (UK) Degrees French Degrees German US Degrees Soft <30 <75 <5.25 <7.5 <4.2 <4.5 < Moderately Hard Milli equivalents per litre Hard Very Hard >120 >300 >21 >30 >16.8 >18 >6 Water Hardness Around Europe? We have created a series of matrix modifiers to allow the matrix to be matched with local water characteristics. These specific water matrix modifiers can be used in conjunction with samples to assist labs in simulating the most realistic water sample they deal with every day. The range of matrix modifiers will allow most existing PT and QC standards to be prepared so that the matrix can be set any of the following levels: 100 mg/l CaCO 3 Moderately Hard Water 200 mg/l CaCO 3 Hard Water 400 mg/l CaCO 3 Very Hard Water Additional matrix modifiers are also available: Waste Water to produce typical discharge water that is tinted and contains particulates Salt Water to replicate sea or estuarine waters Waste Water can be used together with any of the hard water modifiers. In addition, waste and salt waters may be combined. Each modifier is supplied as a concentrate; 10 ml of concentrate will prepare 1 L of matrix water that is then used to make up the chosen PT or QC material. Standards are supplied with a data sheet indicating analytes that are incompatible with the matrix. 4 sigma-aldrich.com ORDER: TECHNICAL SERVICE:

5 Soil and Solid Waste Proficiency Testing Organics, Inorganics Soil and Solid Waste Metals and Inorganics Organics Physical Properties Anions BNAs BTEX/MTBE Corrosivity Chromium VI Pesticides and Herbicides Diesel, Gasoline Flash Point Cyanide TPH/EPH (banded and speciated)* PAHs by HPLC (Low Level) Heat of Metals (Soil and Sludge) Nutrients PCB Congeners PCBs Combustion VOAs Oxidizer Screen Reactivity Solids in Soil Specific Gravity *As part of our proficiency testing portfolio, Sigma-Aldrich-RTC offers a unique range of natural matrix samples containing hydrocarbons associated with underground storage tank contamination and fuel spills. We are the world leader in manufacturing of real world soil and sediment PT products. Our products have real world natural matrices in which selected analytes have been fortified to give analytical profiles that meet the needs of your laboratory. Dioxin & PCB Sample Preparation System Dioxin & PCB Analysis Dibenzo-p-dioxins, Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated Biphenyls Sample Clean up GC Analysis Air Monitoring Resins Solvents The Supelco Analytical prep system design offers: Reduced solvent usage Decrease in sample preparation time by two days (compared to conventional methods) Extraction recoveries greater than 85% For more details on the Dioxin Prep system and related products for this application area, or to request a copy of the Dioxin & PCB Analysis brochure, please visit sigma-aldrich.com/dioxin Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) SPME has gained wide spread acceptance as the technique of preference for many applications including flavours and fragrances, and forensics and toxicology, in environmental and biological matrices. Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) SPE provides the sample clean-up, recovery and concentration necessary for accurate quantitative analysis by HPLC and GC. The multitude of available phase chemistries can be packed into an array of hardware formats, such as glass tubes, 96-well plates, preparative SPE Büchner funnels and dispersive SPE, and can be processed using dedicated vacuum manifold accessories. sigma-aldrich.com/spe Request your copy of the applications CD at sigmaaldrich.com/spme 5

6 Cronobacter species is a high risk for suckling babes. Cronobacter sp. on trypticase soy agar _Microbiology Focus 4.3.indd 1 Cronobacter (E. sakazakii)... 2 Chromogenic Agar for E. coli Vitroids Microorganism Standard New Bifidus Media /12/ :56:10 AM Microbiology Proficiency Testing Microbiology Water Supply Water Pollution Soils/Solids Pseudomonas aeruginosa Fungi and Yeast E. coli Salmonella Standard Plate Count Streptococcus/Enterococcus Enterococci, Salmonella - P/A Total and Fecal Streptococcus Enterococcus, Streptococcus E. coli Enterococcus, Clostridium perfringens Listeria E. coli These microbiological PT samples are designed for use with all Most Probable Number (MPN) and Membrane Filter (MF) procedures. All PT and QC samples are packaged with a cold pack to maintain integrity. RTC Microbiological PT samples use the patented Vitroid Technology. This technology stabilises the micro-organisms and offers additional benefits in temperature resistance, rehydration time and between disc reproducibility. In addition, each disc is certified according to ISO Guide 34 and ISO Unlike other microbiological samples, RTC s Vitroid based products offer: Enhanced long term stability High organism viability No recovery or pre-incubation time Vitroids are small highly soluble discs that can easily be implemented into laboratory procedures with little or no modification. All our microbial PT products are also available as a subset of the water and soil PT Note: Check with your local Sigma-Aldrich office for availability. Microbiology Focus Volume 4.3, 2012 Cronobacter: The Infant Germ Standard Plate Count Legionella Salmonella Microbiology Focus The Microbiology Focus newsletter presents scientific articles, new applications, background information and current offers. You can view or subscribe to this newsletter at sigma-aldrich.com/microbiology 6 sigma-aldrich.com ORDER: TECHNICAL SERVICE:

7 Adsorbent Tubes Solvent Desorption Thermal Desorption Passive Sampling Whole Air Sampling Pumps and Accessories Chemical Standards Air Proficiency Testing Metals and Inorganics Organics Gases Physical Properties Air Method 29 Metals in Impinger Solution Metals on Filter Paper Mercury on Filter Paper Mercury in Impinger Solution Method 13, 14 Anion on Filter Paper, Flouride in Impinger Solution Method 12 Lead on Filter Paper Lead in Impinger solution Method 8 Sulfuric acid in Impinger solution Method 26 HCl/Halides/Halogens in Impinger solution Method 61/7199 Chromium (VI) in Impinger solution Method TO-4, TO-10A PCBs on PUF OCP on PUF Method TO-13A PAHs on PUF Method 0010 Semivolatiles on PUF or Sorbent Tube Method TO-11A Aldehydes/Ketones on Sorbent Method 6 Sulfur Dioxide in Impinger Solution Method 7 Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) in Impinger Solution Method 5 Particulate Matter in Impinger Solution, Particulate Matter on Filter Paper Air Quality & Emissions Proficiency Testing Samples Our air and emissions proficiency testing samples from Sigma-Aldrich RTC have been designed for use with common methods for air testing and are available in a variety of sampling matrices, including: Impinger solutions Filter paper PUF cartridges Air canisters (Subject to regulatory compliance) Absorbent tubes Air Monitoring A Complete Line of Products for Air Monitoring Request your free copy of the Supelco Air Monitoring products brochure. Up-to-date information on our air sampling product line Radiello passive samplers BPE/DNPH devices for simultaneous measurement of ozone and aldehydes 7

8 Registering for Proficiency Testing If you are planning to use Sigma-Aldrich RTC for your Proficiency Testing in the future, it s easy to be ready. Pre-register your lab details for access to our reporting site. Opening a Proficiency Testing Account Provide your laboratory details, and we will set up a personal log-in for you and any other staff members that may need to submit data and access results Reporting with Ease Your most recent studies are prominently listed on your personalized web page. All you do is click on Report. Important study dates, remaining reporting time and study status information will keep you up-to-date. Ease-of-use does not need to mean a loss of control. Report your results in customized data sets to organize your data. Whether tracking performance by analyst or splitting study data among several method types, you are in control, and there is no extra charge for this service. Get Information Not Just Numbers Evaluations of your results should be more than a pass or fail rating. See how your laboratory has performed through statistical information and graphical charts. Don t be left in the dark when it comes to your data. Online Dynamic Help Have a question? Click on the help icon to view questions and answers specific to the content you are viewing without losing your place. Also, we have video tutorials to help you navigate the reporting of PT data. Enabling Science to Improve the Quality of Life Order/Customer Service (800) Fax (800) Technical Service EurTechServ@sial.com sigma-aldrich.com/techservice Safety-related Information sigma-aldrich.com/safetycenter World Headquarters 3050 Spruce St. St. Louis, MO (314) sigma-aldrich.com 2012 Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC. All rights reserved. SAFC, SIGMA-ALDRICH and SUPELCO are trademarks of Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC, registered in the US and other countries. Supelco brand products are sold through Sigma-Aldrich, Inc. Purchaser must determine the suitability of the product(s) for their particular use. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Please see product information on the Sigma-Aldrich website at and/or on the reverse side of the invoice or packing slip. OFG