Contamination: Response: is Your Laboratory Prepared?

This article discusses preparing all laboratories, regardless of size or analytical capabilities, for a water contamination response scenario. Three reasons are discussed for having protocols in place and ensuring the staff is trained in handling contamination samples, including: protect lab staff from exposure to contaminants; prevent cross contamination of the lab by the contaminants; and, maintain the integrity of event samples, which may become criminal evidence. Establishing sample‐handling capabilities is discussed, along with sample shipping protocols, and basic water quality analysis.