EPA 7473 Mercury in Solids and Solutions Laboratory Testing Service: A Comprehensive Guide
The EPA 7473 Mercury in Solids and Solutions testing service is a critical laboratory test that ensures the accurate detection of mercury levels in various solid and liquid samples. This test is governed by several international and national standards, which are discussed below.
ISO/IEC Standards
ISO 17294-1:2019: This standard provides guidelines for the sampling and analysis of mercury and its compounds in environmental matrices.ISO 17294-2:2008: This standard specifies the analytical procedures for the determination of total mercury in solid samples. ASTM Standards
ASTM D7343-17: This standard describes a method for determining the concentration of total mercury in various types of materials, including solids and liquids.ASTM D6349-19: This standard provides a procedure for the analysis of mercury and its compounds in environmental samples using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). EN Standards
EN 15887:2013: This European standard specifies the requirements for the sampling and analysis of mercury and its compounds in various matrices, including solids and liquids.EN ISO 17294-1:2019: This standard is identical to the corresponding ISO standard (ISO 17294-1:2019). TSE Standards
TSE ISO 17294-1:2019: This Turkish standard is a national adaptation of the corresponding ISO standard (ISO 17294-1:2019).TSE ISO 17294-2:2008: This Turkish standard is identical to the corresponding ISO standard (ISO 17294-2:2008). Legal and Regulatory Framework
The EPA 7473 Mercury in Solids and Solutions testing service is regulated by various national and international laws, including:
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The US EPA regulates mercury emissions from various sources, including power plants, industrial processes, and consumer products.European Unions Water Framework Directive: This directive sets limits for mercury levels in water bodies and requires monitoring and reporting of mercury concentrations. International and National Standards
The following standards apply to the EPA 7473 Mercury in Solids and Solutions testing service:
ISO/IEC 17025:2017: General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories.ISO 9001:2015: Quality management system Requirements. Standard Development Organizations (SDOs)
The primary SDOs involved in the development and maintenance of standards related to mercury analysis are:
International Organization for Standardization (ISO): ISO is responsible for developing international standards, including those related to mercury analysis.American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM): ASTM develops standards for various industries, including environmental testing. Evolution of Standards
Standards evolve over time as new technologies and methods become available. Updates to existing standards reflect changes in scientific understanding, regulatory requirements, or industry needs.
The EPA 7473 Mercury in Solids and Solutions testing service is essential for various industries, including:
Environmental monitoring: Accurate detection of mercury levels in environmental samples helps monitor and mitigate the impact of human activities on ecosystems.Industrial processes: Mercury analysis ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and minimizes risks to workers and the environment.Consumer products: Testing for mercury in consumer products protects consumers from potential health hazards. Business and Technical Reasons
The business and technical reasons for conducting EPA 7473 Mercury in Solids and Solutions testing include:
Compliance with regulations: Meeting regulatory requirements ensures companies avoid fines, penalties, and reputational damage.Risk management: Identifying mercury levels in samples helps mitigate potential risks to workers, the environment, and consumers.Product safety: Testing for mercury ensures consumer products meet safety standards.Consequences of Not Performing This Test
Failure to conduct EPA 7473 Mercury in Solids and Solutions testing may result in:
Regulatory non-compliance: Non-compliance with regulations can lead to fines, penalties, and reputational damage.Safety risks: Inadequate mercury analysis may pose health hazards to workers, consumers, or the environment.Quality Assurance and Quality Control
Eurolabs quality management system ensures that all testing services, including EPA 7473 Mercury in Solids and Solutions, meet international standards.
