On December 2, 2019, Babcock Laboratories, Inc. joined an elite group of laboratories in California accredited to analyze all PFAs in accordance with Department of Defense Quality Systems Manual (DoD QSM - version 5.1 or newer). On January 9th the CA Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (CA ELAP) added PFAS to Babcock Labs’ accreditation for analysis of Semi-volatile Organic Constituents in non-potable water—Field of Testing (FOT) 111. Babcock became one of a handful of laboratories in the State with the proper CA ELAP accreditation for PFAS required for all State regulatory work.

The significance of this accreditation stems, in part, from the State Water Resources Control Board’s Chrome Plater Investigative Order (WQ 2019-0045-DWQ). The order—which affects chrome plating facilities that have used or stored substances likely containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS)—is part of a statewide effort to evaluate the concentration and impact of PFAS in groundwater and surface water. 

According to the investigative order, the reporting analytical laboratory must be accredited by the California Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) to perform the analytical method for PFAS compliant with DoD QSM (Table B-15; version 5.1 or later). The laboratory must have the capacity to quantify the target PFAS analytes listed in the order, and must be capable of achieving the specified quality control/quality assurance requirements.

The requirement of DoD QSM (Table B-15; version 5.1 or newer) accreditation also applies to the State Water Board’s Landfill Investigative Order (WQ 2019-0006-DWQ). Although CA ELAP was unable to provision such accreditation when the order was originally made at the beginning of 2019, the method will likely be required for all landfill PFAS monitoring moving forward.

Looking further ahead, CA ELAP DoD QSM accreditation is expected to be required for Phase III of the State Water Board’s Phased Investigation Approach. Phase III will focus on secondary manufacturers—facilities that use PFAS in their processes or products—in addition to wastewater treatment plants, wastewater pre-treatment plants, and domestic wells. 

In our continuous effort to provide comprehensive analytical solutions to our clients, Babcock Labs is proud to have expanded its PFAS testing services with this new accreditation.

Babcock Laboratories’ testing capabilities include the 14 compounds identified in EPA Method 537 Rev 1.1; the 18 target analytes for EPA Method 537.1; the 29 target analytes identified in DoD QSM (Table B-15; version 5.1 or newer) and 38 target analytes for DOD QSM under CA ELAP. To ensure that your organization meets its PFAS monitoring requirements under the State Water Board’s Phased Investigation Approach, contact Babcock Labs about PFAS testing services.