ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the functional design criteria and instrument specifications of the mobile screening laboratory. The use of a mobile screening laboratory presents several advantages over off-site analysis, including both cost and time savings. Mobile laboratories have the capability to process both organic and inorganic wastes. The laboratory should be equipped to provide the necessary power while the mobile laboratory is in remote locations. Specifications for the mobile laboratory should be developed based on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements and a review of other studies relating to mobile laboratories. There are multiple EPA levels of analytical requirements for determining the extent of environmental pollution. Sensitivity is achieved in the laboratory using instrument detection limits, method detection limits, and practical quantification limits. The chapter summarizes the quality procedures and components that must be mandatory for acceptable analytical data generated by the mobile screening laboratory and the hard-copy quality control information that will be generated with the analytical data.
