As a reminder, extra care is needed this time of year to keep samples from freezing and avoid potential container breakage (plastic and/or glass), the need for resampling, or qualifying on the report.
Most test methods require a thermal preservation of ≤ 6° C of samples to meet compliance requirements. It can be particularly challenging during the winter months to keep environmental samples from freezing if left outdoors (even in insulated coolers!) or during shipment. To prevent compromising your samples during the colder months, follow these tips:
- Place samples in an insulated cooler filled with loose ice and keep indoors until transported to the laboratory. If an outdoor receptacle or location is used for a courier pick‐up point, please collect sample(s) as close to expected pick‐up time as possible. It doesn’t take long for samples to freeze even when placed in an insulated cooler.
- Refrigerate samples (in a dedicated refrigerator) until they are transported to the laboratory. The refrigerator in EAI’s vestibule is open 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
- Do not leave coolers containing samples in a vehicle for extended periods of time or overnight.
- Use additional bubble pack/packing material when shipping samples.
Our sample receiving team will contact you, if samples are received frozen or compromised in any way.
If you have questions, please call our customer service team at 1‐800‐287‐0525 or email customerservice@easternanalytical.com.