The Environmental Lead Proficiency Analytical Testing (ELPAT) Program is designed to help your organization assess and/or improve its analytical performance by providing your organization with test samples on a quarterly basis and evaluating the results.
When you enroll in the ELPAT program, your laboratory will receive sample kits on a quarterly basis. Four concentration levels will be shipped for each of four matrices.
- Paint chip samples are obtained from lead-based paints that have lead sources representative of the compounds and interferences encountered in field samples.
- Soil samples are representative of environmental contamination resulting from lead-based paint, the industrial use or disposal of lead-based compounds, or airborne lead emissions.
- Dust wipe samples are prepared using field-collected dust samples. Dust wipe sample sets include a blank.
- Lead-in-Air samples are the same metals samples analyzed in the Industrial Hygiene Proficiency Analytical Testing (IHPAT) Program.
The PAT Report. When you participate in ELPAT, you will receive an evaluation report—the PAT Report—providing a snapshot of your laboratory’s performance compared to your peers. Sharing your PAT Report with customers and prospects will make them confident about partnering with your laboratory.
Participation in the ELPAT Program is open to all laboratories but it is mandatory for laboratories seeking accreditation by one of the recognized accrediting organizations under EPA's National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (NLLAP).