|  | Water Science					Recent                     Additions | Contact                     Us |                     Print                     Version                     Search:                     EPA                     Home > Water > Water                     Science > Analytical                     Methods > Procedures for Detection                     and Quantitation > Notice of Document Availability                     and Proposed Rule |
|--|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| Guidelines Establishing Test Procedures for the Analysis of Pollutants;         Procedures for Detection and Quantitation; Notice of Document Availability         and Proposed Rule
Note: This information is provided for reference purposes only.               Although the information provided here was accurate and current               when first created, it is now outdated. Proposed               rule withdrawal fact sheet

Fact Sheet, February 2003
Summary
EPA seeks comment on an assessment of procedures for determining sensitivity         (i.e., detection and quantitation) of test methods. EPA also seeks comment         on a proposed rule revising the Definition and Procedure for the Determination         of the Method Detection Limit (40 CFR Part 136, Appendix B). The proposal         responds to stakeholder and peer review comments and incorporates clarifications         and improvements based on the assessment. 
Background
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses the method detection         limit (MDL) and minimum level of quantitation (ML) to determine analytical         test sensitivity under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The MDL is used to determine         the lowest concentration at which a substance is detected or is "present"         in a sample. The ML is used to describe the lowest concentration of a         substance that can be reliably measured in a sample. The MDL procedure         was published in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 40 CFR Part         136, Appendix B in 1984.
EPA's Assessment of Detection and Quantitation Procedures 
EPA assessed current procedures for determining the sensitivity of test         methods and their application to CWA Programs. The assessment was required         by a settlement agreement with the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers,         et al. It is entitled, "Technical Support Document for the Assessment         of Detection and Quantitation Concepts" (EPA 821-R-03-005, February,         2003). This document discusses statistical, chemical, and regulatory issues         related to detection and quantitation and different approaches to detection         and quantitation. The Agency now seeks public review and comment on this         assessment.
Proposed Revisions to 40 CFR Part 136, Appendix B
Based on our recent assessment and on stakeholder comments we have received         over the years, EPA is proposing revisions to the MDL procedure codified         at 40 CFR Part 136, Appendix B. In addition to specific technical and         editorial changes to the MDL procedure, EPA is revising the definition         of the MDL, adding a definition and procedure for determining the ML,         and clarifying the acceptance of alternative detection and quantitation         procedures. EPA seeks public review and comment on this proposal. 
Additional Information and Copies
You can get more information by contacting William Telliard at the EPA         Office of Water, Engineering and Analysis Division (4303T), 1200 Pennsylvania         Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20460; (email: [email protected])

You can view and download the complete text of the Federal Register notices         by visiting the Internet at http://epa.gov/waterscience/methods.         You can also get copies of the notice and other documents by calling the         Water Resource Center at 202-566-1729.

  |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

|                                                                         |  | Wastewater Management | Drinking Water | Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|--|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                                    |
|                                                                         |
| EPA Home | 				Privacy and 				Security Notice | 				Contact Us

  |