Sample Submission Integrity

Submission Integrity information and definitions

Sample Integrity Observation #22 Samples Received Frozen
Purpose:  Primarily of concern for microbiology or ecotoxicology samples received frozen as the integrity of the analysis is significantly impacted with fro...
Thu, 20 Dec, 2018 at 8:59 AM
Sample Integrity Observation #23 Sediment in Organics Containers
Purpose:  The presence of sediment in organics containers will impact the data.  Some regulations will dictate how to treat samples containing sediment howe...
Thu, 20 Dec, 2018 at 8:59 AM
Sample Integrity Observation #30 No Quote or Incorrect Quote
Purpose:  In order to ensure the correct rates are applied to your invoice, the COC should be filled out with the applicable quote, particularly in the case...
Tue, 7 May, 2019 at 11:15 AM
Sign all pages of the chain of custody.
When submitting samples via a paper chain of custody (COC), or providing an Electronic Transfer Record (eTR) associated with an eCOC submission, it is impor...
Fri, 27 Jan, 2023 at 4:24 PM
Why should I include the number of containers?
It is important to include the number of sampling containers on each and every submission, as it allows sample receiving teams to quickly and easily determi...
Mon, 14 Jan, 2019 at 12:36 PM
Why should I cool my samples and what is the best way to cool samples?
In most regions, sample temperature at the time of receipt at a testing laboratory is defined under local, regional or federal regulation or guidelines.  Ke...
Fri, 6 Jan, 2023 at 12:56 PM
What effect will the inappropriate container have on the test results?
The use of an inappropriate container can mean using the wrong type of container, using a container that is precharged with the wrong preservative, is not ...
Mon, 14 Jan, 2019 at 2:59 PM
My samples are above 10 degrees, how will it affect my results? Should I resample?
Unfortunately, a very difficult question to answer and sometimes it may be impossible to know for certain what the impact to a particular sample is.  Te...
Fri, 6 Jan, 2023 at 12:56 PM
My samples became frozen, how will that affect my results?
Freezing of samples is not directly referenced as an acceptable method of sample preservation in Canadian environmental regulations.  However, certain E...
Wed, 13 Feb, 2019 at 12:12 PM
What is the impact of analysing from plastic instead of glass?
As a general rule of thumb, organic analysis samples are to be collected in glass containers and inorganic analysis samples to be collected in plastic conta...
Tue, 5 Mar, 2019 at 12:23 PM