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Department of Industry, Innovation and Science

MEASUREMENT.GOV.AU

NATIONAL MEASUREMENT INSTITUTEEnvironmental Capability Statement

NATIONAL MEASUREMENT INSTITUTE Environmental Capability Statement2

CONTENTS

WELCOME TO NMI 3Our Vision 3Our Mission 3

TESTING CAPABILITIES 4

ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYTICAL SERVICES 5

CORE TESTING CAPABILITIES 6Analysis of Aqueous, Solid and Biota Samples 6Analysis of Air Samples 6Calibration of Environmental Monitoring Stations 6

SPECIALIST TESTING CAPABILITIES 7Aldehydes and Ketones in the Environment 7Clandestine Drug Laboratories 7Dioxin Testing in Stack Emissions 7Elemental Analysis 7High Resolution Measurement and Environmental Water Contamination 8Light Hydrocarbons and Permanent Gases 8Nanomaterials 8Organotin in the Marine Environment 8Perfluorinated Alkyl Substances 8Trace Metal Testing in Complex Matrices 8Ultra-trace Pesticides 8

QUALITY MANAGEMENT 9

CONFIDENTIALITY 9

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 10

INDUSTRY TRAINING 10

STUDENT PROGRAM 10

REFERENCES 11

3NATIONAL MEASUREMENT INSTITUTE Environmental Capability Statement

WELCOME TO NMI

The ability to measure things is essential for the exploitation of innovation and science, for national and international investment and for safety, security, prosperity and quality of life. Examples of measurement are everywhere, including the speed of cars, environmental contamination, the passage of time, purity of food and water, efficiency of interior lighting, pathology tests, consumption of electricity and gas, strength of building materials, safety of agricultural products and many others.

In almost every country there is a peak body that makes sure that such measurements can be made correctly and can be recognised nationally and internationally. In Australia that organisation is the National Measurement Institute (NMI), a division of the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science. NMI is responsible for biological, chemical, legal, physical and trade measurement as described in the National Measurement Act 1960.

Collectively, our suite of skills makes us Australia’s one-stop-shop for measurement—capable of addressing complex, multi-dimensional and cross-disciplinary challenges.

Our VisionMeasurement policy, science and regulation underpinning the economy and well-being of Australia.

Our MissionTo lead and facilitate a measurement system that serves, enhances and adapts to the productivity and growth of Australian industries.

If you can’t measure something, you can’t understand it. If you can’t understand it, you can’t control it. If you can’t control it, you can’t improve it H. JAMES HARRINGTON


TESTING CAPABILITIES

NMI is one of the most diverse providers of commercial environmental analytical services in Australia. Our services are tailored to cater to a number of environmental market segments including:

• water resources

• site assessment and remediation

• waste treatment and management

• air pollution control

• mining resources monitoring

We also provide services to the mineral, energy, food and agriculture, health, transport, trade, security, safety, science and innovation, manufacturing, energy and education and training sectors.

Types of analyses include but are not limited to:

• Inorganic pollutants — metals, particularly heavy metals, are a by-product of manufacturing and related processes that inadvertently enter the environment. NMI has a trace element analysis capability in water (including saline water), soil, oil and air. NMI also measures nutrient and physico-chemical parameters.

• Microbiological contaminants — NMI offers a comprehensive range of microbiological tests including Legionella, heterotrophic plate count, Escherichia coli, total coliforms, faecal coliforms and Clostridium perfringens. NMI also has the capability to produce DNA reference materials for genetic tests, e.g. DNA reference materials to provide calibration and standardisation for a new gene test which detects toxic algal blooms.

• Nanomaterials — detection and quantitation of nanomaterials in complex environmental matrices

• Persistent organic pollutants — include dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, perfluorinated compounds such as PFOS, PFOA and related chemicals.

• Other organic pollutants and contaminants — include a broad range of industrial, pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals that have been accidentally or purposely discharged to the environment, e.g. total recoverable hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls, pesticides, pharmaceuticals and endocrine disruptors.

• Calibration of environmental monitoring stations — include relative humidity, air temperature and barometric pressure.

NMI specialise in testing of the following matrices:

• drinking and saline water

• waste/industrial water and solids

• environmental water and solids

• soils (including toxicity characteristic leaching procedure and elutriates)

• sediments and other dredged material

• aquatic, marine and terrestrial biota

• biosolids

• air (ambient and indoor air, emissions, vapour intrusion)

• other, e.g. paint, oil, filter, swab

A full list of our NATA-accredited testing capabilities can be found on www.nata.com.au but a summary of our core and specialist capabilities is outlined here.

Contact us to discuss how we can tailor our capabilities to meet your specific analysis requirements. We will then give you a quotation tailored to your needs. We can offer 1, 2 and 3 day working day turnaround times (when capacity available) in addition to our standard times.


ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYTICAL SERVICES

Microbiologicalcontaminants

Nanomaterials Persistant organicpollutants

Calibration ofmonitoring stations

Inorganicpollutants

Other organicpollutants

Market leader in quality,

consistency, reliability

Water resourcesmon

itorin

g

Min

ing re

sources

Site

ass

essm

ent

and

rem

edia

tion

Waste treatment

and management

Air pollution

control

Experts in the following testing:• chemical – inorganic and organic• physical• microbiological

Experts in the following matrices:• drinking water• waste/industrial water and solids• environmental water and solid• soils• aquatic, marine and terrestrial biota• air• biosolids• other e.g. paint, oil, filter, swab

Market leader in:• environmental analysis• customer tailored testing• strict quality management system• wide range of NATA accredited services• timely turn-around-times• national coverage• latest technology• expert technical advice• industry training

ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYTICAL SERVICES


CORE TESTING CAPABILITIES

Analysis of Aqueous, Solid and Biota Samples• Estrogens

• Inorganic anions and disinfection by-products

• Microbiological tests

• Non-targeted organic screen

• Nutrient and physico-chemical tests

• Organotins

• Persistent organic pollutants:

– Dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls

– PFOS, PFOA and related perfluorinated compounds

– Polybrominated diphenylethers

– Polychlorinated dibenzofurans

– Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins

– Short-chain chlorinated paraffins

• Pesticides:

– Glyphosate (aminomethylphosphonic acid and glufosinate)

– Organochlorine pesticides

– Organophosphorous pesticides

– Pesticide screen by GC-MS/MS

– Pesticide screen by LC-MS/MS

– Phenoxy acid herbicides

– Synthetic pyrethroids

– Triazine herbicides

• Polychlorinated biphenyls

• Trace and macro elements (fresh and marine water)

• Trace elements speciation:

– Lead and strontium isotopes

• Volatile and semi-volatile organics:

– Bisphenol A

– Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes

– Disinfection by-products

– Light hydrocarbons (C1-C5)

– Monocyclic aromatics

– Phenols and alcohols

– Phthalate esters

– Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

– Semi-volatile organic compounds (US EPA 8270)

– Total recoverable hydrocarbons (C6-C40)

– Volatile halogenated hydrocarbons

– Volatile organic compounds (US EPA 8260)

Analysis of Air SamplesTests marked with an asterisk (*) are media selective, e.g. filter, wipe, tube, canister, rinse, impinger solution, passive sampler

• Inorganic residues*

• Non-targeted organic screen*

• Permanent gases

• Persistent organic pollutants*:

– Dioxin and furan

– Dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls

– Polybrominated diphenylethers

– Short-chain chlorinated paraffins

• Semi-volatile organic residues*:

– Pesticides

– Phenols

– Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

– Polychlorinated biphenyl

– Sulphur compounds

• Targeted volatile organic compounds and hydrocarbons based on:

– US EPA TO-15

– US EPA TO-17

• Trace metals*

Calibration of Environmental Monitoring Stations• Relative humidity

• Air temperature

• Barometric pressure

What gets measured, gets managed PETER DRUCKER


SPECIALIST TESTING CAPABILITIES

Aldehydes and Ketones in the EnvironmentAldehydes and ketones are well-known substances that have many industrial applications. The volatile nature of many of these substances along with their toxic and hazardous properties means that there is a high risk of air contamination and therefore a serious human health concern.

The NMI has developed methods for the determination and quantification of volatile aldehydes and ketones in the air. Our methods can be used to monitor workplace air, indoor air, exhaust air and emissions to the atmosphere.

Clandestine Drug LaboratoriesNMI is able to analyse for methamphetamine, pseudoephedrine and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) at the limits of reporting which are at, or significantly below, the investigation levels in the Australian Government’s Clandestine Drug Laboratory Remediation Guidelines.

LIMIT OF REPORTING FOR WIPES (μg/WIPE)

LIMIT OF REPORTING FOR SOIL (MG/KG)

Methamphetamine 0.5 5

Pseudoephedrine 50 50

MDMA 2 10

Coal Seam GasCoal seam gas (CSG) is a naturally occurring mixture of methane gas, carbon dioxide, other hydrocarbons and nitrogen from coal formation.

NMI can offer fit-for-purpose measurement expertise and solutions for environmental impact assessments and regulatory compliance verification covering a full range of chemical parameters relevant to CSG extraction. Our laboratory-based water and chemical testing capabilities can be applied to baseline quality testing of groundwater, ‘CSG-produced water’ and processed water prior to its re-injection, re-use or release to the environment. We also offer air quality testing for volatile organic compounds and specialist services in gas composition and gas reference standards for other laboratories. Our limits of reporting are at, or below, the guideline values for complex sample matrices, enabling assessment for regulatory compliance.

Dioxin Testing in Stack EmissionsNMI is able to accurately measure dioxins, PCBs and PAHs in industrial stack emission samples collected on filter/resin sample trains to meet licence requirements. NMI can prepare resin cartridges/filters/rinse bottles and dispatch direct to the sampling location to make on-site sample collection easier for stack testers. NMI provides:

• ‘gold standard’ high resolution mass spectrometry (mass resolution >10 000) analysis to eliminate false positives

• NATA-accredited analysis methods based on US EPA 23 / US EPA 1613 / CARB429

• rapid preparation and dispatch of equipment; less than four working days to Australian metropolitan locations

• dioxins/PCBs/PAHs/trace organics can be analysed from the same stack sample

Elemental AnalysisX-ray fluorescence spectrometry provides an accurate and high precision quantitative ‘total’ determination of inorganic elements in solid samples such as soils, sediments, mining ores, dusts, consumer products (including paint, plastics, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, electronic components and toys), metals and alloys (including jewellery). NMI uses X-ray fluorescence:

• to identify elements with atomic numbers ranging from 13 (aluminium) to 92 (uranium)—toxic elements such as lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium can be detected and measured with limits of reporting ranging from 5 to 1 000 milligram per kilogram

• as a screening and exploratory technique and if needed, ICP-MS and ICP-AES can be used to further quantitate results


High Resolution Measurement and Environmental Water ContaminationNMI is one of the first laboratories in Australia to utilise UHPLC-QTOF-MS technology to screen targeted and non-targeted organic contaminants. Our research areas of interest are:

• pesticides

• testing for the coal seam gas industry

• growth promotants and veterinary drugs (synthetic and non-synthetic)

• pharmaceuticals and their metabolites

• endocrine-disrupting chemicals

• personal care products

• illicit drugs

Light Hydrocarbons and Permanent GasesRegulators around the world are formulating guidelines for water and air quality measurements to test for groundwater contamination as a result of coal seam gas extraction. Light hydrocarbons (methane, ethane, propane, butane, pentane and hexane) are especially targeted, particularly methane. Using an automated system NMI is able to analyse to the following limits of reporting.

ANALYTE LIMIT OF REPORTING FOR

WATER (PPB)

LIMIT OF REPORTING FOR

GAS (PPMV)

Light hydrocarbons methane 1 10

ethane 10 10

propane 10 10

butane 10 10

pentane 10 10

hexane 10 10

Permanent gases carbon monoxide

— 500

carbon dioxide — 500

nitrogen — 2 000

hydrogen — 500

oxygen — 1 000

NanomaterialsThe prevalent use of engineered nanoparticles, particularly in textiles, surface coatings and personal-care products, means that they are likely to enter the environment via domestic and industrial waste water streams.

NMI has comprehensive expertise and an extensive suite of instrumentation for the detection and characterisation of nanomaterials and can work with clients to develop methods for the detection and quantification of nanomaterials in complex environmental matrices.

Organotin in the Marine EnvironmentOrganotins are toxic endocrine-disruptor chemicals, which bioaccumulate and even at very low levels can severely impact the health and development of marine life.

NMI’s NATA-accredited method for the determination of monobutyltin, dibutyltin and tributyltin uses state-of-the-art technology to achieve the following limits of reporting.

LIMIT OF REPORTING FOR SEDIMENT AND SOLIDS

LIMIT OF REPORTING FOR BIOTA

LIMIT OF REPORTING FOR WATER

0.5 μg/kg (National Assessment Guidelines for Dredging 2009 practical quantitation limit is 9 μg Sn/kg)

1 μg/kg 0.002 μg/L (Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality trigger value for 95% level of protection for tributyltin is 0.006 μg/L Sn)

Perfluorinated Alkyl SubstancesPerfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) such as PFOS and PFOA are man-made chemicals that are a class of extremely persistent, bioaccumulative and potentially toxic substances.

NMI has developed methods for detecting PFAS including, PFOS, PFOA, 6:2 FTS, 8:2 FTS, and their related precursors in water, soil and biota. Our PFAS methods can achieve low limits of reporting with rapid turnaround times.

Trace Metal Testing in Complex MatricesNMI has high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HR ICP-MS) capabilities to accurately measure trace metals in complex matrices. We have demonstrated excellent results in regular proficiency testing studies for saline water analysis. HR ICP-MS provides consistently reliable analysis of trace elements in complex matrices due to its sensitivity and unique capability to resolve interferences from trace elements in complex sample types.

Ultra-trace PesticidesPesticide use in Australia is stringently regulated by state environment protection authorities, food authorities and the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority which is charged with evaluating the safety and performance of pesticides, registering and de-registering them and providing advice to the public about pesticides and their safe application.

NMI has developed sensitive and highly selective tests for the determination of a large range of environmentally important pesticides at trace and ultra-trace levels in water and soil. All our test methods have NATA accreditation.


QUALITY MANAGEMENT

NMI has NATA accreditation for a wide range of chemical (NATA 198 and 2474) and microbiological (NATA 1388) services to meet our statutory and voluntary environmental obligations.

NMI also holds the Therapeutic Goods Administration licence for chemical and physical testing.

NMI is committed to customer satisfaction by delivering an industry-leading service that exceeds the benchmarks established by AS/NZS ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 quality systems. In delivering measurement standards and associated services, it is NMI policy to promote excellence in laboratory measurement and support services by demonstrating high-level scientific quality and customer service, together with a commitment to strive consistently to improve the quality of these services. NMI offers a unique focus on metrology, linked to our representation at international forums such as Codex and AOAC.

NMI is committed to achieving the following quality management objectives:

• To maintain excellence in service delivery and increase customer/stakeholder satisfaction by:

– continually improving customer liaison and communication of customer requirements within NMI

– maintaining agreed turnaround times, and where appropriate, improving them

– using measures of customer satisfaction to identify and continually improve customer satisfaction

• To maintain and continually improve the effectiveness of our management systems and technical processes by:

– ensuring organisational commitment to comply with the principles embodied in the relevant ISO standards, particularly AS/NZS ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025

– enhancing operations to provide an increased customer focus

– continually striving to improve service and product quality

– achieving excellent performance in both internal and external laboratory proficiency testing and intercomparison programs

– maintaining key third party accreditations of NMI’s services and methodologies

• To act on the results of monitoring processes in a timely and effective manner to increase NMI’s productivity and overall performance as established in the NMI Business Plan.

• To promote staff excellence by continually improving staff development programs and training.

In adopting these objectives, NMI management and staff undertake to work towards these goals and achieve excellence in the practice of their profession, and commit to familiarise themselves with, and implement the policies and procedures of, the quality management system.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Confidentiality and security are an integral part of our quality assurance certification. Analytical results are kept confidential and results will not be released to any third parties without prior customer consent (unless disclosure of such information is compelled by law).


RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTAll aspects of NMI’s work are underpinned by high-level internal research programs that ensure international credibility for measurements made in Australia and provide support for emerging technologies.

NMI regards partnerships with other organisations as integral to research and essential to maximise the impact of NMI’s work. We are keen to discuss opportunities such as:

• national and international collaboration with universities, scientific research organisations, other national measurement institutes, business and industry

• development of national and international guidelines, policies and standards with our international counterparts, Australian government bodies, technical experts, industry and community representatives

• contract work for organisations and companies

• membership of national research associations

• co-supervision of honours, masters and PhD students

• workplace training opportunities to fulfil local and international needs

• organisation of collaborative events including conferences, workshops and seminars at the national and international level to address emerging key research fields and issues

• presenting lectures and technical presentations on invitation from collaborators, at trade functions and conferences

INDUSTRY TRAININGNMI delivers training courses in a wide range of fields including:

• Analytical method validation—explains the principles of method validation and demonstrates practical techniques that can be applied in the laboratory.

• Estimating measurement uncertainty for biologists —explains the principals of estimating measurement uncertainty in quantitative biological analyses, including microbiological measurements.

• Estimating measurement uncertainty for chemists—introduces the concept of measurement uncertainty and explains the processes involved in making estimates of measurement uncertainty in chemical methods.

• Statistics for metrology—provides an understanding of the basic statistical concepts used in the analysis of measurement data.

STUDENT PROGRAM

NMI offers the following opportunities for students:

• summer vacation projects

• internships

• honours, masters and PhD projects

Benefits of being a student at NMI include:

• experience of working in industry

• professional development

• interactions with leading scientists from around the world


REFERENCES

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality

www.environment.gov.au/resource/australian-and-new-zealand-guidelines-fresh-and-marine-water-quality-volume-1-guidelines

Australian Drinking Water Guidelineswww.nhmrc.gov.au/guidelines/publications/eh52

Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling: Managing Health and Environmental Riskswww.environment.gov.au/resource/national-water-quality-management-strategy-australian-guidelines-water-recycling-managing-0

Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authorityhttp://apvma.gov.au/node/1063

Clandestine Drug Laboratory Remediation Guidelineswww.ag.gov.au/CrimeAndCorruption/Drugs/Documents/Clandestinedruglaboratoryremediationguidelines.pdf

Guidelines for Sewerage Systems—Acceptance of Trade Waste (Industrial Waste)www.environment.gov.au/resource/guidelines-sewerage-systems-acceptance-trade-waste-industrial-waste

Guidelines for Sewerage Systems—Biosolids Managementwww.environment.gov.au/resource/guidelines-sewerage-systems-biosolids-management

National Assessment Guidelines for Dredgingwww.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/8776675b-4d5b-4ce7-b81e-1959649203a6/files/guidelines09.pdf

National Association of Testing Authorities, Australiawww.nata.com.au

Accreditation 198www.nata.com.au/nata/scopeinfo/?key=191



National Environment Protection (Air Toxics) Measurewww.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2011C00855

National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure 1999 amended 2013www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2013L00768

National Measurement Act 1960http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Series/C1960A00064

National Water Quality Management Strategy: Australian Guidelines for Water Quality Monitoring and Reporting

www.environment.gov.au/resource/national-water-quality-management-strategy-australian-guidelines-water-quality-monitoring-0

National Water Quality Management Strategy: Guidelines for Groundwater Protection in Australiawww.environment.gov.au/resource/national-water-quality-management-strategy-guidelines-groundwater-protection-australia

National Water Quality Management Strategy: Water Quality Guidelineshttp://www.environment.gov.au/water/quality/national-water-quality-management-strategy


Sydney36 Bradfield Road, Lindfield, NSW 2070

105 Delhi Road, North Ryde, NSW 2113

Melbourne1/153 Bertie Street, Port Melbourne, VIC 3207

Perth26 Dick Perry Avenue, Kensington, WA 6151

Brisbane33 Kingtel Place, Geebung, QLD 4034.

P: 1300 722 845

www.measurement.gov.au/environment

[email protected]

ABN 74 599 608 295