Babcock Laboratories is excited to announce our own Vice President, Bradley Meadows, is serving on the 2021-2022 Environmental Laboratory Technical Advisory Committee (ELTAC). ELTAC is an advisory body to the Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP). We are thrilled Brad will be a part of this to represent commercial laboratories and help provide the necessary scientific expertise to address current and emerging environmental monitoring and laboratory accreditation issues. Great job Brad and thank you for safeguarding the public health and the environment.
Does La Niña Have Other Plans for So Cal’s Typical Wet Winter?
Californians faced some of the worst fires in recorded history this year thanks to a lack of rain and the upcoming storm season may not relieve the state’s unusually dry condition. NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, recently confirmed an ongoing La Nina event expected to last into the winter. The event, a part of the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon, influences global oceanic temperatures and rainfall. A La Nina winter, combined with the effects of global climate change, threatens to push California into …
Elementary California Water Basics—Getting an Education from the Foundation
Californians pride themselves on being water savvy—the Golden State’s vast infrastructure of reservoirs and aqueducts has supported its agricultural industry and booming population for decades. But as global climate change continues to bake the state, California needs massive changes to its water conservation models—starting with better water education.
The Water Education Foundation, a nonprofit established in 1977, instructs Californians about…
To Grab or to Composite...That is the PFAS Question!
The debate regarding the most appropriate method to collect non-potable liquids—specifically POTW influents and effluents—continues. Last month California State Water Quality Control Board (SWQCB) staff appeared to walk back parts of the original Phase III PFAS monitoring orders, directing the responsibility for making decisions regarding sampling techniques back to the agency and their laboratory. October is upon us and water treatment professionals are wondering…
From the Ashes: Wildfire Effects on Water Quality
Once again, lower than average winter rainfall has paired with exceptionally hot summer months and set California up for a disastrous wildfire season with the potential to surpass that of the historic 2018 fire season. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Monday that fires had burned through more than 1.4 million acres burned so far in 2020. That’s already well ahead of this time in 2019, when Cal Fire reports just shy of 28,060 acres burned.
From TOP to Bottom: TOP Assay Not Likely to Close Mass Balance on Total PFAS
Testing for polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is increasing nationwide as multiple states launch investigations into PFAS contaminated areas. But while a handful of these “forever chemicals” are tested and starting to be regulated, the vast majority are not. Much of the difficulty lies in the testing itself;