Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have a question for us?
Over the years we have been helping customers with their questions about ERMI's operations and services. We decided that it would be a great idea to incorporate the most commonly asked questions into a FAQs page on our website. So we did. We categorized these questions into five areas and answered each one. Please take a look at our list and see if your question is answered here. If not, or you have additonal questions, give us a call.

About our Company	Sample Transportation
Field Services	Sample Analysis
Pricing Policy

About our Company

What does ERMI do?
ERMI is an environmental laboratory. We analyze samples of environmental media (water, soil, sludge, sediments, industrial wastes, etc.) for concentrations of metals, organic compounds and/or wet chemistry parameters using EPA or other approved methods to address and satisfy the requirements of various environmental regulations.

What does ERMI stand for?
ERMI stands for Ecological Research and Management Incorporated, the name under which the company was originally incorporated in 1983. Initially, the company was founded to provide both environmental consulting and laboratory services. However, because of the overwhelming demand for the high quality environmental laboratory services provided, the company has and will continue to focus solely on this aspect of the business. Therefore, to better describe the services offered by the company, ERMI Environmental Laboratories, ERMI Laboratories and ERMI were registered as legal trade names of the company.

Is ERMI a EPA certified laboratory?

No, ERMI is not certified by the EPA. To give customers the assurance certification carries with it, we are accredited by NELAP and we are certified by a number of states. What is NELAP? NELAP stands for the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program and is the program that implements the National Environmental Accreditation Conference (NELAC) standards. State and federal agencies serve as accreditiong authorities with coordination facilitated by EPA to assure uniformity. Accreditation by one NELAP accrediting authority is mutually recognized by the other state and federal accrediting authorities approved under NELAP. If you want to learn more, check out EPA’s website at: http://www.epa.gov/nelac/.

Is ERMI an EPA CLP laboratory?
No, we do not participate in EPA's Contract Laboratory Program (CLP) for analysis of samples collected from hazardous or other waste sites being scrutinized or remediated by the government.

Does ERMI perform air and industrial hygiene testing?
No, we do not do testing of this type. Our services are mainly directed towards testing outside environmental media other than air. Please contact us if you require this type of testing. If we cannot help you directly, we may be able to refer you to a laboratory who can.

Does ERMI accept samples for analysis collected outside the United States?
Yes, we are permitted by the Department of Agriculture to accept, test, treat and dispose of soil samples collected from outside the United States.

Who do I need to ask for when I call with a question?
Please ask for a Customer Service representative. Each person in this Department is familiar with your needs and equipped to answer all but the most technical of your questions. If you would like to find out more information about ERMI and the services we have to offer or if you would like to begin using our services, please ask for the Business Development Department.

Does ERMI perform any consulting activities?
No, we do not perform any consulting work. We are, however, very familiar with and keep abreast of those environmental regulations or segments thereof involving environmental chemistry analyses. We can help customers determine the appropriate analysis required by a particular regulation, how samples should be collected and handled, etc.

Field Services

Does ERMI have a field services department?
Yes, we have a limited field service capabilities. The purpose of this department is to perform sample pick up, prepare and ship sampling kits and to collect samples of various environmental media for municipalities and small businesses.

Does ERMI's Field Services Department compete with customers who may offer the same or similar services?
Definitely not!! It is not our intent to compete with our present or future customers. ERMI partners with all of our customers and we refer requests to perform field services and other business outside of our mainstream laboratory activities, to them. Typically, the sampling we perform is for just one or a few samples where it is not cost effective for the customer to employ the services of a larger firm to perform the work. The size of these jobs are not considered profitable for our customers who offer similar services.

How much is your sample pickup fee?

ERMI now uses a courier service to pickup samples within the D/FW metroplex area. This service has proven very reliable and much faster than our own Field Services Group. Please contact us for the fee applicable to your specific location. This fee assumes the sample(s) will be ready for pick up at the time you specify. A surcharge will apply if the courier must wait longer than approximately 15 minutes at the pick up site or for sample pick ups outside the metroplex .

In the quality control section of my report, what does blank, laboratory control sample, matrix spike, % Rec, % Rec Limits, RPD and RPD Limit mean?

Environmental sample analyses are performed on batches of samples of like sample matrix. The number of customer samples in a batch can vary from 10 to 20 samples depending upon the particular analysis performed. To each batch, various quality control samples are added, taken through the entire analysis process and treated just like customer samples. These quality control (QC) samples are typically a blank, laboratory control samples and matrix spike samples. The blank is just laboratory reagent water analyzed to determine if there is significant contamination in the analysis process for the chemical parameter(s) being measured. A laboratory control sample is laboratory reagent water fortified with a known concentration of the parameter(s) being analyzed. These are set up in duplicate. Analysis of these two samples yields information on the accuracy and precision of the method. Matrix Spike samples are similar to laboratory control samples but are made from a second and third aliquot from one sample at random in the batch. They are fortified or spiked with the parameter(s) of analysis and the samples analyzed just like any other sample in the batch. Matrix Spike analyses provide information on the effect of the sample matrix upon the accuracy and precision of the analysis.

Accuracy is expressed in terms of percent recovery of the parameter(s) (%REC) from the laboratory control and matrix spike samples. Precision is expressed in terms of the Relative Percent Difference (RPD) between the results of duplicate analyses. Laboratory specific control limits in line with method criteria for both of these statistics are presented on the report to help evaluate the results presented.

What is the difference between method reporting limit (MRL) and method quantitation limit (MQL)?

The MQL is the lowest non-zero point of the calibration curve used for the method. No sample treatments such as dilutions, dry weight corrections, etc. are applied to this value. The MRL is likewise the lowest nonzero point of the calibration curve but all sample treatments are applied to this value. When reporting data under the Texas Risk Reduction Program (TRRP), MQL is the parameter required to delineate the method reporting capability.

What is the difference between sample reporting limit (SRL) and sample quantitation limit (SQL)?

SRL is a term used when not reporting data under TRRP. SRL is equivalent to MRL. All sample treatments are applied to this value. SQL, on the other hand, is the statistically determined method detection limit (MDL) with all sample treatments applied to it. These sample treatments may include dilutions, dry weight corrections, variation in the volume or mass of sample required for the analysis and that used or available, etc.

Pricing Policy

How many samples does it take to get a quantity discount?
Discounts are offered for select analyses because of the efficiencies we are able to realize by analyzing a number of samples for the same parameter. Therefore, depending upon the circumstance, discounts on batches of 10 or more samples analyzed for the same parameter may apply. Please contact our Customer Service Department to obtain the most cost effective pricing for your project.

Sample Transportation

What is the best way to get samples to the laboratory?
This depends somewhat on your situation and the parameters you are testing. We are frequently served by a large number of package delivery and transportation companies including United Parcel Service, Roadway Package Service, Lone Star Express, Federal Express, Airborne and Yellow, Roadway, Consolidated and other freight companies. Virtually any service convenient for you to use is acceptable. As well, many of our customers find it very inexpensive to ship samples to us by bus. Bus service is overnight from all Texas locations and many surrounding states. The prices are competitive with many of the ground transportation companies. Please contact us if you have questions and we'll help you determine the most rapid, efficient and cost effective means of transporting your samples to us within the constraints imposed by your project.

Sample Analysis

What does the term detection limit mean?
Most regulatory agency approved analytical methods have a minimum quantity that can be determined with a particular degree of certainty under the conditions used to develop the test methods. This minimum quantity is referred to as the method detection limit (MDL). Since analytical methods are developed using reagent grade water, purified soils and the like, and they have not been tested or applied to all possible types of environmental samples, MDLs do not necessarily represent the minimum quantity that can be determined in real world environmental matrices.

What are low level detection limits?
Many parameters of environmental concern have several methods of analysis that can be applied to determine their concentration in a particular sample matrix. Some of these methods are more sensitive than others and can detect lower concentrations. The factor that determines the method used is based on the environmental regulation currently being addressed. Certain regulations require detection of smaller quantities of a given parameter than others. This is important because analytical methods for determining the lower concentrations of a particular analyte are typically more expensive than those that are not. If you are in doubt as to which method(s) are appropriate for your samples, please contact our Customer Service Department and we will help you make the correct selection.

What does the quality control information on my analytical report mean?
The quality control information on our reports is your assurance the presented analytical results meet or exceed EPA quality criteria for the method(s) of analysis used. Some of the extensive quality control information maintained by ERMI for each analysis performed is presented here for your review and for review by the regulatory agency the information is being submitted to.

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