Environmental monitoring involves field work:
- wastewater sampling
- soil sampling
- outdoor air quality testing.
The samples go to a lab, are processed and results are reported back to the submitter. This workflow is well known by Environmental Protection Agencies worldwide, which provide expert knowledge and unique capabilities to address environmental monitoring and public health concerns on a national, state, local, and tribal level using the latest state-of-the-art and innovative approaches.
While EPAs produce scientific results that inform decisions about nations’ most pressing environmental and public health concerns, there are always opportunities to increase effectiveness, efficiency and collaboration within the EPAs’ Laboratories.
Recommendations include:
- Develop best practices and approaches for planning scientific activities that promote effectiveness and efficiency in laboratory and field work.
- Maintain a well-educated, experienced workforce through professional training opportunities.
- Enhance intra-agencies coordination and collaboration on sampling and method development activities to safeguard best practices and prevent redundancies in data gathering procedures.
- Strengthen data management capabilities by greater use of automated systems to promote more consistent data collection, storage, and management (e.g., greater adoption of Laboratory Information Management Systems [LIMS]).
On this last point, it should be considered that there is wide variation in the types and number of sample analyses conducted across the EPAs Laboratories. These variations are mainly attributed to changes in science issues, customer needs or emergencies, etc. Some organizations were still relying on spreadsheets, databases and the analytical equipment itself to track sample analyses. However, extensive studies and surveys conducted on the topic, demonstrate that using a LIMS could provide a much more efficient and effective way to generate, distribute, search, and maintain these data.
The potential benefits gained from using a LIMS on EPAs laboratory operations include:
- Decreasing sample turnaround time by improving sample management and tracking throughout the lab and reducing or eliminating the need for manual data entry during sample receipt.
- Centralize and standardize data, automatically transfer data from lab instrumentation, store data in centralized database in an electronic format for easy review and approval, streamline process for data validation, review and release/reporting.
- Improve customer service for clients to have access to their results via a secure web portal.
Eusoft, with Eusoft.Lab LIMS, guarantees ARPA the possibility to access a complete solution that meets all the needs to carry out a correct and accurate environmental monitoring. Our many years of experience in the environmental sector allows us to provide ready-to-use solutions, in a very short time, guaranteeing the highest levels of service to users and their customers. If you are curious to find out more, do not hesitate! Contact us by clicking here.
