![](media/image1.png){width="0.75in" height="0.7430555555555556in"}

> Dr. John Kucklick
>
> National Institute of Standards & Technology
>
> Hollings Marine Laboratory
>
> 331 Fort Johnson Road
>
> Charleston, SC 29412
>
> Phone: 843-762-8866
>
> Fax: 843-762-8742
>
> Email: john.kucklick@nist.gov

13 November 2023

Thank you for participating in the 2007 Intercomparison Exercise for
Organics in Marine Mammal Tissues. Enclosed in this shipment are this
year's exercise materials:

1.  Standard Reference Material (SRM) 1945 Organics in Whale Blubber
    (10-15 grams, one jar).

2.  Marine Mammal Blubber Unknown Material V (8-10 grams, one jar).

3.  Candidate SRM 1958 Human Serum (Fortified) (if requested)

4.  Marine Mammal Serum Unknown I (MMCM-1 Serum; one vial) (if
    requested)

The blubber materials are cryo-homogenized, fresh-frozen tissues that
should be stored near --80 °C. Candidate SRM 1958 is a freeze dried
human serum should be stored at -20 ^o^C prior to being reconstituted.
To reconstitute this material, use the procedure below:

Bring the vial to room temperature, remove the metal closure, and
lightly tap the bottom of the vial to dislodge any dried serum particles
from the stopper. Carefully remove the stopper to avoid possible loss of
serum particles. Use a dispenser of known accuracy to slowly add 10.7 mL
of distilled or HPLC grade water at 20 °C to 25 °C to the sides of the
vial while continually turning the vial. Replace the stopper, swirl the
vial two or three times, and let stand for approximately 10 min. Mix
contents by gently swirling, let stand for approximately 30 min, swirl
again, let stand 10 min, and finally invert the vial several times. DO
NOT shake vigorously because this will cause frothing. Total time for
reconstitution is approximately 1 h. After reconstituting, use contents
as soon as possible or store between 2 °C and 8 °C until analysis,
preferably within 4 h.

The supplier has reported that each donor unit of plasma used in the
preparation of this product was tested and found to be negative for
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), HIV-1 antigen, hepatitis B surface
antigen, and hepatitis C. Please use appropriate procedures for handling
this material such as those found in "U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services; *Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical
Laboratories*; U.S. Government Printing Office: Washington, DC (1988)."

MMCM-1 Serum was collected from an adult male sea lion (*Zalophus
californianus*). These vials should be stored at a minimum of -20 ^o^C
until analysis. Handle this material using safe blood handling
procedures.

![](media/image2.png){width="2.6347222222222224in"
height="0.5652777777777778in"}You are requested to make triplicate
measurements of the persistent organochlorine compounds listed in Table
1 and lipid using methods routinely used in your laboratory. An optional
list of additional target compounds is given in Table 2. The optional
list includes brominated flame retardants, fatty acids and other
compounds. All values will be compiled into a summary report. Values for
other compounds in blood, such as hydroxylated organohalogens or
pefluorinated substances, are also welcome. Use the units specified on
the reporting template. The samples do not need to be analyzed in
separate batches, *i.e.*, with separate sets of standards for each
sample. For candidate SRM 1958, organochlorine and organobromine
concentrations are approximately 500 pg/g (reconstituted). Please use
the data template that will be sent to you by e-mail to report your
values. Report values as if three figures were significant. Results from
your analyses are due 16 November 2007. Note that data received after
this date may not be included in the exercise report. Note that the
Certificate of Analysis for SRM 1945 has recently been updated. The
updated Certificate should appear in the SRM section of
[www.nist.gov](http://www.nist.gov/) very soon. Also, previous reports
from past exercises can be viewed at
[www.hml.nist.gov](http://www.hml.nist.gov/).

We have also organized an exercise for the determination of trace
elements in marine mammal tissues. If you wish to participate in the
trace element exercise, please contact Dr. Steven Christopher at
(843)-762-8856 or steven.christropher@nist.gov.

Sincerely,

John R. Kucklick

Table 1: Target analytes for the fourth annual NIST Intercomparison
Exercise for Organochlorines in Marine Mammal Tissues

  ---------------------- ---------------- ---------------------------------------------
  **Pesticides**         **PCB            **Congener Substitution**
                         Congeners**      

  2,4'-DDT               18               2,2',5-trichlorobiphenyl

  4,4'-DDT               28               2,4,4'-trichlorobiphenyl

  2,4'-DDE               31               2,4',5-trichlorbiphenyl

  4,4'-DDE               44               2,2',3,5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl

  2,4'-DDD               49               2,2',4,5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl

  4,4'-DDD               52               2,2',5,5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl

  HCB                    66               2,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl

  α-HCH                  87               2,2',3,4,5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl

  γ-HCH                  95               2,2',3,5',6-tetrachlorobiphenyl

  β-HCH                  99               2,2',4,4',5-tetrachlorobiphenyl

  heptachlor epoxide     101              2,2',4,5,5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl

  *cis*-chlordane        105              2,3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl

  *trans*-chlordane      118              2,3',4,4',5-tetrachlorobiphenyl

  oxychlordane           128              2,2',3,3',4,4'-hexachlorbiphenyl

  *cis*-nonachlor        132              2,2',3,3',4,6'-hexachlorbiphenyl

  *trans*-nonachlor      138              2,2',3,4,4',5'-hexachlorbiphenyl

  dieldrin               149              2,2',3,4',5',6-hexachlorobiphenyl

  Mirex                  151              2,2',3,5,5',6-hexachlorbiphenyl

                         153              2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorbiphenyl

                         156              2,3,3',4,4',5-hexachlorbiphenyl

                         170              2,2',3,3',4,4',5-heptachlorobiphenyl

                         180              2,2',3,4,4',5,5'-heptachlorobiphenyl

                         183              2,2',3,4,4',5',6-heptachlorobiphenyl

                         187              2,2',3,4',5,5',6-heptachlorobiphenyl

                         194              2,2',3,3',4,4',5,5'-octachlorobiphenyl

                         195              2,2',3,3',4,4',5,6-octachlorobiphenyl

                         201              2,2',3,3',4,5,5',6'-octachlorobiphenyl

                         206              2,2',3,3',4,4',5,5',6-nonachlorobiphenyl

                         209              2,2',3,3',4,4',5,5',6,6'-decachlorobiphenyl
  ---------------------- ---------------- ---------------------------------------------

Table 2: Optional Compounds

+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| **Compound**  | **Sub       | **Compound**      | **Substitution** |
|               | stitution** |                   |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| **P           |             | **Toxaphene**     |                  |
| olybrominated |             |                   |                  |
| Diphenyl      |             |                   |                  |
| Ethers**      |             |                   |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| PBDE 47       | 2,2',4,4'   | Total toxaphene   |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| PBDE 99       | 2,2',4,4',5 | Toxaphene         | 2-end            |
|               |             | Congener 26       | o,3-exo,5-endo,6 |
|               |             |                   | -exo,8,8,10,10-O |
|               |             |                   | ctachlorobornane |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| PBDE 100      | 2,2',4,4,'6 | Toxaphene         | 2-endo,          |
|               |             | Congener 50       | 3-exo,5-endo,6-e |
|               |             |                   | xo,8,8,9,10,10-N |
|               |             |                   | onachlorobornane |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| PBDE 153      | 2,2         | Toxaphene         | 2,2,5            |
|               | ',4,4',5,5' | Congener 62       | ,5,8,9,9,10,10-N |
|               |             |                   | onachlorobornane |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| PBDE 154      | 2,2         |                   |                  |
|               | ',4,4',5,6' |                   |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
|               |             | **Coplanar PCBs** |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| **Fatty       |             | PCB 77            | 3,3',4,4'        |
| Acids**       |             |                   |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| Lauric acid   | C12:0       | PCB 126           | 3,3',4,4',5      |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| Myristic acid | C14:0       | PCB 169           | 3,3',4,4',5,5'   |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| Pentadecanoic | C15:0       |                   |                  |
| acid          |             |                   |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| Palmitic acid | C16:0       | **Chloro Dioxins  |                  |
|               |             | and Furans**      |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| Margaric acid | C17:0       | Hexab             |                  |
|               |             | romocyclodocecane |                  |
|               |             |                   |                  |
|               |             | Isomers (α-, β-,  |                  |
|               |             | and γ)            |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| Stearic acid  | C18:0       |                   |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| Arachidic     | C20:0       |                   |                  |
| acid          |             |                   |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| Palmitoleic   | C16:1(n-7)  |                   |                  |
| acid          |             |                   |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| Vaccenic acid | C18:1(n-7)  |                   |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| Oleic acid    | C18:1(n-9)  |                   |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| Elaidic acid  | C18:1(n-9)  |                   |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
|               | C20:1(n-7)  |                   |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| Gondoic       | C20:1(n-9)  |                   |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| Gadoleic acid | C           |                   |                  |
|               | :20:1(n-11) |                   |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| Erucic acid   | C22:1(n-9)  |                   |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| Cetoleic      | C22:1(n-11) |                   |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| Nervonic acid | C24:1(n-9)  |                   |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| Linoleic acid | C18:2(n-6)  |                   |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| a-Linolenic   | C18:3(n-3)  |                   |                  |
| acid          |             |                   |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| g-linolenic   | C18:3(n-6)  |                   |                  |
| acid          |             |                   |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| Stearidonic   | C18:4(n-3)  |                   |                  |
| acid          |             |                   |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| Homo-g        | C20:2(n-6)  |                   |                  |
| amma-linoleic |             |                   |                  |
| acid          |             |                   |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| Homo-al       | C20:3(n-3)  |                   |                  |
| pha-linolenic |             |                   |                  |
| acid          |             |                   |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| Arachidonic   | C20:4(n-6)  |                   |                  |
| acid          |             |                   |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| EPA           | C20:5(n-3)  |                   |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
|               | C22:2(n-6)  |                   |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| DPA           | C22:5(n-3)  |                   |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+
| DHA           | C22:6(n-3)  |                   |                  |
+---------------+-------------+-------------------+------------------+