The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains and approves test methods, which are approved procedures for measuring the presence and concentration of physical, chemical and biological contaminants; evaluating properties, such as toxic properties, of chemical substances; or measuring the effects of substances under various conditions. The methods in the Agency index are known as EPA Methods.[1][2] There are other types of methods such as the ASTM and United States Pharmacopeia, but the EPA Methods are developed through a regulatory process involving public notice, comment and revision and are legally binding whereas ASTM methods are developed through a consensus process and compliance is voluntary.[3][4][5][6] These methods are developed to help standardize and achieve the EPA mission to protect the environment and human health.[7]
Nomenclature
editThe method numbers generally range from 1 to 9000 and may have modification letters appended to the end, signifying a newer version of the method has been released. Some ranges of numbers appear to be organized with intention, for example methods 1-99 being air methods or the 7000s being for hazardous waste.[8] Others number ranges, however, seem to only contain random methods, like the 300 and 400 series both being for wet chemistry methods.[9]
Searchable databases
editEPA methods are listed by category on the EPA website.[2] The US government keeps a collection of environmental testing methods at the National Environmental Methods Index website which includes EPA methods along with methods from other agencies like the USGS.[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Peg Nelson. "Index to EPA Test Methods" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 October 2006. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ a b US EPA, ORD (2014-04-08). "Collection of Methods". www.epa.gov. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ "Detailed overview - Overview - About Us". www.astm.org. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ "ASTM Fact Sheet - Overview - About Us". www.astm.org. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ "About U.S. Pharmacopeia". www.usp.org. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ "What is a Pharmacopeia? | Quality Matters | U.S. Pharmacopeia Blog". qualitymatters.usp.org. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ US EPA, OA (2013-01-29). "Our Mission and What We Do". www.epa.gov. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
- ^ "Hazardous Waste | US EPA". Epa.gov. 2016-11-28. Archived from the original on April 4, 2009. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
- ^ "EPA METHODS 300 SERIES". Caslab.com. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
- ^ "National Environmental Methods Index". www.nemi.gov. Retrieved 2025-08-24.