EH-0431 Quality Assurance Needed for Offsite Vendors Performing Sample Analysis 





                     ENVIRONMENT, SAFETY & HEALTH



Assistant Secretary for                         U.S. Departmentof Energy

Environment, Safety & Health                Washington, D.C.  20585



DOE/EH-0431			                              December 1994                     

					        

                   SAFETY & HEALTH HAZARDS ALERT





Quality Assurance Needed for Offsite Vendors Performing Sample Analysis 



An analytical laboratory that was used by several Department of Energy (DOE)

facilities for bioassay and environmental samples recently came under Federal

investigation for allegedly falsifying analysis results.  (See DOE Press

Release R-94-220 issued 

November 8, 1994.)  The Office of Environment, Safety and Health (EH)

surveyed the DOE complex and learned that approximately 10 percent of DOEÕs

facilities utilized this laboratory for analysis of bioassay samples and 40

percent of its facilities utilized this laboratory for analysis of

environmental samples.  These analytical results were used for such purposes

as (a) confirming worker internal exposures, (b) releasing material to the

sanitary sewer system, (c) performing baseline environmental water analyses,

and (d) releasing waste oil to a recycling facility.  



Several DOE facilities had previously determined that this analytical

laboratory was inconsistent in providing reliable analytical results.  This

determination was made on the basis of either the laboratoryÕs analysis of

quality assurance samples or as a result of DOE contractor audit of the

laboratory.  Conversely, some DOE facilities found that, depending on the

type of analysis performed, this laboratory consistently performed well on

their quality assurance sample analysis.  Other DOE facilities did not assess

and verify the capabilities of offsite laboratories performing sample

analyses.



Other Related Incidents

In a related incident, a DOE facility announced in September 1994 that

bioassay samples were never properly analyzed for approximately 30 workers

who performed decontamination and decommissioning (D&D) activities at the

facility in 1991.  Site management at the facility stopped all worker

activities that required participation in a bioassay program.  The involved

workers were notified.  Additional samples from a 1993 to 1994 work activity

were also identified as not having been analyzed.  An investigation was

conducted to determine why the samples were not properly analyzed in a timely

manner and to establish corrective actions to prevent future recurrence.

  

The facilityÕs internal dose evaluation program was adequate for routine

activities.  However, the problem arose when the facility became involved in

D&D activities that included working with different radioisotopes than those

routinely encountered at the facility.  The site did not have in place an

adequate program, including appropriate procedures and management oversight,

to ensure the adequacy of workplace and personnel monitoring to properly

assess, minimize, and control radiation exposure to workers involved in D&D

activities.



Actions Recommended

Several facilities are still evaluating the potential impact associated with

their use of the analytical laboratory.  Based on lessons learned from the

above incidents, the following actions are recommended:



	Every facility should implement a program to verify the competency and

reliability of offsite laboratories providing sample analyses.

   

	Sites involved in D&D or other non-routine activities that include new or

unique mixtures of radionuclides or other hazardous materials must evaluate

thoroughly both the workplace environment and site procedures.  The

evaluation should ensure the adequacy of procedures and workplace and

personnel monitoring to properly assess, minimize, and control worker

exposure to hazards prior to commencing these activities.



For more information, contact Pete OÕConnell, Office of Health Physics and

Industrial Hygiene, EH-411, at 301-903-5641.

This Safety & Health Hazards Alert is one in a series of publications issued

by EH to share occupational safety and health information throughout  the DOE

complex. To be added to the Distribution List or to obtain copies of  the

publication, call (301) 916-4444. For additional information regarding the

publications, call Barbara Bowers (301) 903-3016.