Sample Submittal: Tips for Field Sampling & Submitting Samples to the Lab

Our clients invest a lot of time, consideration, research and energy into determining appropriate sampling and analysis plans for their field projects. Proper sample handling and preservation is an extremely important step from your lab's perspective! We do not want you to spend days in the field collecting your environmental lab samples, only to get them to the lab at an undesirable temperature or in an improper container.

Here are a few sampling tips to ensure you avoid any headaches on your next project:

Whenever possible, share your sampling plan with the laboratory. We use this information to help you avoid errors in the field, offering preprinted Chain of Custody Forms (CoCs), labels, and bottles. ARA can help prepare bottle orders that will be most convenient for you:

• We offer pre-printed COCs to include your pertinent site information and sample IDs
• We offer pre-printed bottle labeling, to save time and limit errors in the field
• We can also prepare bottle sets by location or analysis group for easy handling in the field. 

Arrange for a courier pick up in advance of your sampling date. This will help alleviate any short holding time concerns, and get the samples to the laboratory as soon as possible. ARA offers free courier service to your site or office! (within 100 miles of Porsmouth, NH.) 

Ice!

Always remember to start the cooling process immediately. If you have arranged for an ARA courier pick up your soil and water samples from your site or office, we will have ice with us, however when the samples are still in the custody of the sampler they should be kept cool.

Give us notes / details / special instructions.

Always feel free to utilize the “special instructions” area of the COC or send along a note to relay pertinent site or sample information to the laboratory. This could be anything from an odor detected at the sampling source, to specific turnaround time requirements.

Absolute Resource Associates is here to make your field efforts easier, so that when it comes time to submit your soil, water and other environmental matrices for analysis, the transition is seamless.

You and your staff are out in heat, rain, sleet and snow as you work to meet your clients’ expectations. Remember, Absolute Resource Associates is here to help eliminate any difficulties for your team as it pertains to sample collection, transfer, submittal and final reporting of laboratory data. 

What else can we do to help make your job easier? Let us know! 

Visit the “Customer Tools” Page of our website for: 

• ·Downloadable CoC Forms
• ·Courier Request Form
• ·Secure web portal to view or download your data.
• ·& More

Good luck & happy sampling!