When conducting Industrial Hygiene Air Testing, the question often arises: how many field blank samples are needed? The answer depends on both regulatory compliance and analytical requirements.
Legal Compliance in Air Sampling
To comply with legal and regulatory standards, it is essential to follow the prescribed sampling methods. If a standard method specifies using two field blanks, you must include two blanks to ensure your results are defensible. Adhering to these guidelines protects your results from legal scrutiny by demonstrating compliance with established procedures.
Analytical Considerations for Field Blanks
Field blank samples are crucial for certain analytical methods:
- Gravimetric Analysis: Field blanks are necessary to eliminate biases from background contamination.
- HPLC and UV-VIS Methods: These tests rely on blanks to ensure accurate and unbiased results.
For other tests, results may remain reliable even without blanks. However, field blanks generally enhance result quality and credibility.
Practical Insights from Industry Practice
- Clients prioritizing legally sound and defensible results consistently collect at least one field blank sample.
- Cost-conscious clients may forgo field blanks, but this can compromise result quality and reliability.
Contact Us to Discuss Your Project
For guidance on your air testing project or to ensure the accuracy of your results, contact LCS Laboratory through our Contact Us page. Our laboratory price list is available for download here. Let us assist you in achieving compliant and high-quality results.
