Lab Matters Summer 2018 | Page 54

APHL 2018 Annual Meeting Poster Abstracts

Environmental Health

Method Evaluation and Qualification for an ABSciex 5500 Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer

J. LaPalme, Y. Wang, O. Adair and R. Dixon, South Carolina Public Health Laboratory, Columbia, SC

The timely and accurate testing for exposure to toxic substances is a critical component of the Public Health Laboratory’ s mission. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Laboratory Response Network for Chemical Threats( LRN-C) leads the effort in ensuring emergency response capabilities. In this poster we will highlight the method performance of an organophosphate nerve agent metabolites in urine assay by ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry( LC-MS / MS). Due to South Carolina DHEC Public Health Laboratory’ s chemistry division instrumentation reaching the end of its life cycle and vendor support, the previous ABSciex 4000 triple quadrupole mass spectrometers were updated to the SCIEX 5500 model with support from the LRN-C program. In order to maintain testing capabilities, the analytical methods were transferred and rigorously evaluated with a thorough CLIA validation protocol. The LC-MS / MS assay for organophosphate nerve agent metabolites in urine was one of the first methods to be transferred from the ABSciex 4000 MS / MS to the SCIEX 5500 MS / MS. The analytical Chemistry Supervisor and the Chemistry Division Director agreed upon the method validation protocol to be implemented. The following method characteristics were examined: accuracy, precision, method comparison, reportable range, analytical sensitivity, analytical specificity, carryover, matrix effects and reference range. Acceptance criteria were established to ensure method robustness and accuracy. The validation study was carried out over a three week period. Six different laboratory chemists participated in the performance evaluation producing 20 calibration curves. There are 8 calibration levels plus 4 quality control levels including a matrix blank. Analytical accuracy was determined by comparing the calculated mean value with the true target value. Precision was determined by calculating the percent coefficient of variation(% CV) of the quality control sample measurements at three different levels across the analytical measurement range. Both intra-day and inter-day precision demonstrated less than 6.25 % CV. Method comparison involved previously assayed samples for each analyte. The data was plotted by analyte for each regression analysis. Matrix effects were evaluated using three concentration levels across 4 amounts of sample matrix. The reference range was evaluated using 20 genuine blinded human urine samples. This multi-analyte assay validation met the acceptance criteria established, enabling the laboratory to continue providing accurate testing to the community of South Carolina. Laboratories need to continually update assays, instrumentation and processes. In order to successfully transition between techniques, method evaluation allows for staff training and performance validation in a compliant fashion to ensure high quality test reporting.

Presenter: James LaPalme, South Carolina Public Health Laboratory, Columbia, SC, Phone: 803.896.3866, Email: lapalmjh @ dhec. sc. gov

Genomic Similarity of Legionella pneumophila Isolated from Routine Monitoring of Hospital Premise Plumbing Systems

( complete abstract in Infectious Disease, p. 75)

The EPA’ s Water Contaminant Information Tool( WCIT): A Look at Three New Contaminant Profiles; Perfluoroctane sulfonate( PFOS), Perfluorooctanoic acid( PFOA) and Legionella

J. Bain, G. Gardenier and L. Mapp, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC

In the event of a natural, intentional, or unintentional water contamination incident a quick and effective response is crucial to limiting the impact on water systems and public health. Responding to a contamination event requires accurate information on the nature of the contaminant and how to properly treat it. The Water Contaminant Information Tool( WCIT) is a dynamic and valuable resource designed to provide this information to responders and address new risks and issues as they arise. WCIT is a secure, online database that contains vital information, such as analytical methods, drinking water and wastewater treatment processes and medical information, on priority contaminants of concern for drinking water and wastewater systems. As such, this tool facilitates the dissemination of vital information that can be used to help communities prepare for, respond to and recover from an incident. Here we provide an overview of the tool, highlighting some of its unique features and uses and report recent updates to the database. WCIT is constantly being updated with information on priority contaminants to help utilities and other users respond effectively and efficiently to drinking water and wastewater contamination incidents. The most recent updates to the tool have focused on adding new profiles on emerging contaminants of the greatest concern. For example, perfluorooctane sulfonate( PFOS) and perfluorooctonanoic acid( PFOA) have gained a lot attention recently due to their persistent nature in the human body and environment and their potential adverse health effects in people. The EPA released a new health advisory in 2016, lowering the recommended levels in drinking water( from 400 ppt for PFOA and 200 ppt for PFOS to 70 ppt combined PFOA and PFOS). Following the release of this updated health advisory, WCIT profiles have been developed for these contaminants and will be discussed here. Additionally, another contaminant that has garnered a lot of attention in recent years and is a major concern for water systems is Legionella pneumophila. Legionella is a bacterium that thrives in warm water and can cause a severe pneumonia-type lung infection that has a high mortality rate( up to 30 %), especially in immunocompromised people. To help utilities and responders address this contaminant a WCIT profile was created and is also discussed.

Presenter: George Gardenier, US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, Phone: 202.272.0167, Email: gardenier. george @ epa. gov

A Closer Look at US Environmental Protection Agency Facilities

M. Burns and M. Linnenbrink, US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC

From the earliest days of public health, environmental protection has been fundamental to preventing disease and ensuring a healthy population. From John Snow and the Broad Street Pump to chlorinated drinking water in Jersey City, NJ, protecting the environment has been a core public health function. The same is true today. While the public health community in the U. S. no longer