Interested Parties,

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is conducting a survey of the
environmental community on the issue of standards for field activities, such as air emission testing
and groundwater sampling.  The National Environmental Laboratory Conference (NELAC) is
considering establishing standards for field activities.  NELAC has already approved standards for
laboratory accreditation, which will be used by the National Environmental Laboratory
Accreditation Program (NELAP).  NELAP will approve states as accrediting authorities.  The
accrediting authorities, in turn, will accredit laboratories in their states using the NELAC
standards.  

If NELAC adopts standards for field activities, the states could require the use of those standards
for field sampling and measurements, which may in turn require a minimum equipment inventory
and specific quality systems.  If NELAC adopts standards for the certification of individuals doing
field work, some state programs may require the use of certified key staff for compliance testing
done in the field.

The purpose of this survey is to determine the interest in 1) standards for field sampling and
measurement, and 2) certification of key individuals doing certain field activities.  The results will
be compiled by DTSC and presented to NELAC to help guide the development of standards.

          Please fax your completed questionnaire by July 1 to: 
          Hazardous Materials Laboratory
          fax: (510) 540-2305

or mail to:    Hazardous Materials Laboratory
          2151 Berkeley Way, Room 515
          Berkeley, CA 94704