Agricultural chemical drift - Appendix 2 - Chemical sampling and analysis

Page contents: Sampling | Handling samples | Laboratories | References

If contamination - of people, water, soil, produce, vegetation or other parts of the environment - is suspected, it may be useful to take samples for chemical analysis. These samples should confirm whether exposure actually occurred and which chemical(s) were involved. This information will assist experts providing advice on clean up or treatment, and may help in deciding future actions (for example, prosecution.)

If legal action is considered, analyses may be important evidence.

Sampling

The timing of taking samples can be critical in establishing if contamination occurred and whether it could be associated with the alleged incident.

In most cases, it is important to take samples as soon as possible after the incident; however this is not always the case (for example, a certain amount of time may be required for the chemical to act or be absorbed or translocated to the site of interest). Where possible, samples should be taken according to an established protocol. If no sampling protocol has been developed for the particular situation, take careful note of the sampling methods used.

Before undertaking any sampling, consult with the laboratory contracted to analyse the samples to discuss their preferred sampling methods and any special instructions you may need. Obtain specific advice regarding storage of samples and possible deterioration rates of chemicals of interest in the samples.

The analysts may be able to assist you in developing an overall sampling strategy.

Handling samples

Samples should be clearly labelled and personally handed to the analyst by the collecting officer to ensure continuity of secure handling. If this is not possible, officers involved in collecting and delivering samples to the analyst should sign off the date, time and location when they deposit the sample. In cases that eventually lead to prosecution, it is critical to be able to establish a definite 'chain of custody' of the samples.

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Laboratories

Laboratories should be NATA-certified for the particular analyses required.

Some accredited laboratories for analysis of chemical contamination are:

• For soil, water and vegetation
  • State Chemistry Laboratory (61 3) 9742 8714.
  • AGAL (61 3) 9685 1777.
    
    
• For human samples - blood, urine, etc.
  • AMCOSH (61 3) 9742 8788.

For details of additional accredited laboratories contact NATA (61 3) 9329 1633.

References

References to sampling or testing for chemical contamination or impacts on ecosystems are found in the following:

• Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1992, s.56.
  
  
• AgVet Code of Victoria 1994.
  
  
• EPA Guidelines for Sampling of Water and Wastewater.
  
  
• EPA Protocol for the Investigation of Fishkills and Incidents Involving Other Biota, EPA, Melbourne (in prep).
  
  
• Point Source Discharges to Streams: Protocol for In-Stream Monitoring and Assessment. D Tiller and P Newall, EPA, Melbourne (in prep).
  
  
• The Rapid Bioassessment of Streams: the Approach and Methods of the Victorian Environment Protection Authority. D Tiller and L Metzeling, EPA, Melbourne (in prep).
  
  
• Australian Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Waters. National Water Quality Management Strategy, ANZECC (1992) - due to be updated in 1998.
  
  
• ANZECC Guidelines for Laboratory Analysis of Contaminated Soil (1996).
  
  
• Australian Standard AS4482-1997 'Guide to sampling and investigation of potentially-contaminated soils, Part 1: Non-volatile and semi-volatile compounds.'

[¹Part 2: Volatile Compounds' is in preparation.]

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