It is important to note that Analytical & Environmental Testing, Inc. will use only official EPA and ASTM methodology when performing analyses for your program. Documented quality control and assurance procedures are utilized to insure the highest degree of accuracy. Our QA/QC procedures consist of daily QC samples run in each sample set and a semi-annual audit utilizing an outside QC standards source. Our daily QA/QC reports are an integral part of our final analytical report to you. The benefit of this extensive QA/QC is that the accuracy of the result is validated in every possible way.

         The programs and the facilities established to facilitate this high degree of quality control are numerous. In our Organic Department, we have located our equipment in a separate lab with an independent A/C/Heat system. In order to further eliminate cross and/or blank contamination, we have established an extraction lab in a separate building with dedicated heating and cooling systems.

         In our Inorganic Lab, A & E Testing has compartmentalized laboratories by function to facilitate quality. All metal analysis done by ICP is separated from the wet lab. Sample preparation for metal analysis is accomplished by an EPA approved microwave digestion unit. This has virtually eliminated cross and/or blank contamination as compared to the old hot plate digestion. The TOC and TOX instruments are located in a different section from the wet lab and organic labs in order to eliminated fugitive contamination by organic vapors.

         Our Bioassay Lab was established in 1982 making A & E Testing the only "full service" laboratory in the Gulf Coast area. Quality control is assured by several factors such as a 1920 cu. ft. walk-in Biochamber with off-site 24 hour monitoring of temperature. This assures that the animals are never moved during the test period and any drastic fluctuations in sample temperature are monitored day AND night. The Bioassay Lab is also located in a separate building from the main laboratory complex and is climatically controlled with dedicated heating and cooling systems.

         The most important asset of our QA program is our people. Most of our professional staff of chemists and biologists have B.Sc or M.S. degrees in one of the science fields.

         Lab technicians involved in culturing animals or sample preparation have various levels of education (min. 3 years) if not B.Sc and M.S. degrees.

         Many of the staff regularly attend continuing education ranging from nationally recognized conferences on new and/or changing methods, seminars on customer service, classes sponsored by vendors, and meetings where regulatory issues are discussed.