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Methods Research and Development
Laboratory Science
Due to the unique and unusual variety of samples received by the EPA's NEIC, standard analytical methods may not be appropriate to analyze for hazards. New methods must be developed, or exiting methods must be modified, to provide the required analysis. Method development is an ongoing process and requiring the NEIC to utilize all the knowledge and experience of the scientists and staff and fully make use of all of the analytical equipment available.
Methods development and deployment is the basic research needed to solve problems raised in the implementation of EPA regulations. Once a regulatory control is implemented to solve a particular problem, the focus shifts to the development of the policy and technical tools needed to implement the regulation. Methods must be developed and tested on variety of sample matrices, water, air, crops, etc., to see if the control is effective.