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Utilize specialized environmental testing services

Environmental labs serve a wide range of clients. Services match a growing need to protect our environment.

I recommend: Marinco Bioassay Laboratory focuses on toxicity testing for water and aquatic organisms. The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service offers information on soil testing specifically for those focusing on chemical-free growing methods and a list of environmental testing labs that cater to the unique needs of organic farmers and gardeners.

Make use of the latest technology in environmental testing

The latest technology in environmental testing provides more accurate results with the lowest of concentrations and can even help you manage your results.

I recommend: Summit Environmental Technologies describes some of the latest testing methods. Keystone Laboratories has a computer application called "Sample Buddy" that helps users track their lab data and create charts. PerkinElmer serves environmental testing labs by offering the latest products and services for measuring the smallest amounts of environmental contaminants.

Choose an environmental testing laboratory to test your product

Some environmental testing companies evaluate products under various extreme environmental conditions including temperature, humidity and vibration. This gives companies the information needed to comply with industry specific standards and helps them market their product.

I recommend: American Testing Laboratory tests a variety of products from food to office equipment at many different extremes in very advanced facilities. Dayton T. Brown is another company offering environmental testing services geared for those needing to test manufactured products.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check for resources specific to your community. Inexpensive environmental testing may be available from local health departments, government agencies or universities with large agriculture departments. In cases of natural disasters, such as floods or hurricanes, free testing may be available.
• •  Prices for the same test can vary considerably from one environmental laboratory to another so it pays to shop around. Also ask about package discounts for multiple tests, tests done at the same time or batch discounts when you need the same test for a large number of samples.

Guide to Environmental Testing Labs

Environmental testing labs ensure quality, safety and longevity of your products

By Patti Richards, Free Lance Writer, PGWRites Communications

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Choose environmental testing companies that specialize in product durability testing

Products like washers and other household appliances need thorough wear testing before hitting the stores. Environmental testing labs test everything from how towels wash to how many years a product will stand up with everyday use.

I recommend: For over 50 years Dayton Brown’s environmental testing services have helped manufacturers give customers the best quality products.

Pick environmental testing services that provide detailed reports for warranty wording

The warranty you offer your customers depends largely on how the product tested in the lab. Warranty wording must reflect reasonable replacement terms, repairs and guaranteed based data collected from environmental laboratories.

I recommend: Intertek does product testing designed specifically for damage claims and increased warranty insurance risk.

Work with environmental testing companies that provide government required safety tests

Full service environmental labs combine product durability and longevity testing with required government safety testing. This ensures you're getting the most comprehensive testing to meet your company needs.

I recommend: DNB Engineering, Inc. performs full service environmental testing and compliance.

Use environmental testing results to improve product quality and performance

The best result from an environmental test lab is a better product. The higher the product quality the more consumers will know your brands are trustworthy and a good value for the price.

I recommend: Datasyst specializes in helping clients improve product quality by testing under extreme environmental conditions.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Find environmental testing services that offer HALT/HASS testing. Highly Accelerated Stress Screening uses both vibration and extreme environmental conditions to locate product weaknesses quickly and efficiently.
• •  Look for companies that offer specific testing during the manufacturing process. This will get some of your questions answered along the way and help determine changes you need to your final design.

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Learn about water testing done by environmental laboratories

Water testing is essential for municipal water suppliers and private well owners. A local environmental testing service needs to conduct the tests, because transit time is an issue when measuring for bacteria levels.

I recommend: UCD ExtoxNet gives a clear list of reasons to test whether you have a private or public water supply. The Institute of Water Research at Michigan State University has detailed information about what tests a private well owner should hire an environmental testing lab for, how often to run tests and how to use the results.

Test your air using an environmental testing laboratory

Whether it is indoor air or emissions testing, air testing protects people from health hazards.

I recommend: Read more about indoor air quality and testing from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). IndoorAirTest.com offers a variety of test kits for testing indoor air quality. Air Pollution Testing offers emissions testing for industries.

Manage your crop or garden with environmental testing laboratories

Test your soil, plant tissues or the manure you use as fertilizer.

I recommend: Colorado State University has detailed information about selecting a lab and the importance of soil and manure testing. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services offers specific information on how to collect soil samples and the tests that environmental labs routinely run. The University of Massachusetts Amherst offers soil and fertilizer testing geared towards the economical use of soil resources.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Hazardous materials testing is also a key service provided by environmental testing labs. This involves the classification of materials used in manufacturing so that workers handle them safely and all appropriate data is available in case of an unforeseen problem.

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National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference (NELAC)

The National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference is the governing body for issuing accreditation to environmental testing labs.

I recommend: The NELAC Institute provides information on standards and proficiency testing for environmental testing labs to earn accreditation.

National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP)

The National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program is the program created by the NELAC that regulates and issues accreditation for environmental testing labs throughout the United States.

I recommend: The California Department of Public Health provides information on the NELAP program, including regulations for test procedures and corresponding state regulations for environmental testing labs.

Toxicity Characteristic Leachate Procedure (TCLP)

The Toxicity Characteristic Leachate Procedure is a lab test that determines the types of contaminants present in hazardous waste and the concentrations of the contaminates.

I recommend: Environment Health and Safety Online details what a TCLP test looks for and how it is executed, and also provides a table of toxicity characteristics.

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program is a government program working to reduce the amount of water pollution created by man-made structures that release discharges into surface waters. Permits can be obtained to release materials into surface waters.

I recommend: The EPA provides information on the NPDES program and how to obtain a permit.

Heavy-metals testing

Heavy metals can be found in water and soil. Too many heavy metals in the environment can have a negative affect on humans, so many environmental testing labs conduct heavy-metals testing.

I recommend: Cornell University provides fact sheets on solid-waste composting and how heavy metals can have an affect on this process and the environment.

RCRA waste-characterization tests

RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) waste-characterization tests determine whether a solid waste is deemed hazardous through a test of one or more common characteristics of hazard waste.

I recommend: The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control outlines the process of testing and determining hazardous waste in different classifications of landfills.