Turn around time (TAT) starts on the day samples are received at Specialty Analytical. Samples are received Monday through Friday and must be receive prior to 3:00PM Pacific Standard Time.  For Samples received after 3:00 PM PST, the TAT starts on the following working day.  Please note that weekends and holidays are not counted as additional working days.  Please view our office hours and company holidays in Contacts page.

For more information on methods (Metals, Organics, Conventionals, Microbiology) performed at Specialty Analytical you can find descriptions and references under Laboratory Services.  The test methods used referenced to the published methods by the USEPA and the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. Other methods used follow the guidelines of the AASHTO, ASTM, NIOSH and other published methods.

• The vast majority of environmental samples need to arrive at the lab between 1°C – 6°C in order to be considered “acceptable” .
• Ice Packs and Ice are the best options for cooling.
• Multiple ice packs are needed to ensure everything stays cool. Placing an ice pack on the cooler bottom, on all 4 sides and at the top will help maintain a chilled environment for our samples. Ice pack. size should be relative to cooler size
• Loose ice-cubes should be placed in Zip-lock bags to contain melting water and then packed around samples.
• A good rule of thumb: the more ice the better!  Imagine a shipping delay when gaging how much ice to use.

Short hold tests are methods which require samples to be analyzed within a certain time frame from sampling. This typically ranges from 15 min to 48 hours. These samples must be analyzed within this time frame to satisfy method sampling requirements. Howeve,r results will be reported with requested TAT.

The PQL is the lowest concentration standard in the calibration range of each compound analyzed.  It is the lowest level of quantitation.

The MDL is determined statistically from seven replicate low-level spikes.  The MDL is defined as the minimum concentration of an analyte that can be measured and reported with 99% confidence that the analyte concentration is greater than zero.  It is the limit of detection.  Certain analyses have a different way of determining the MDLs.

We provide complimentary courier services which include pickup and drop off. We do not provide any sampling services. If you need sampling services please call and we can refer a sampling specialist.

Samples are stored for 60 days. Samples that need to be returned to client, archiving of samples, or samples that need to be held longer than 60 days need to be requested with your project manager. Samples that may need additional testing also need to be indicated on the COC.

The work order number is for lab use only. Our work order format (YYMMNNN) represents the year (21), the month (04) and the job number logged into our system. The work order numbers (ie 2104001) track your samples through the lab and for invoicing purposes.

Our Shipping/ Receiving hours are:
Monday – Friday 7:30am to 5pm

We do not receive packages on Saturdays

For most locations in Oregon/ Washington, shipping takes about 1 day, though there are some instances where things get delayed. In that case, if sending ground, it may be a good idea to send Monday- Wednesday only. Overnight/ Next Day shipping can be sent Monday- Thursday. Check your local UPS/ FedEx stores for final drop off times.

Do NOT ship items on a Friday or Holiday weekend.

Beware of hold times for specific tests. Some only have a 24-turn time or less. Our Project managers can help answer any questions if you are uncertain.

Bottle Packaging:

• Make sure lids are fully secure
• Bottles are wiped down on the outside
• Labels are filled out with a SHARPIE and with correct information
• Glass items should be cushioned/ wrapped with bubble wrap and placed away from each other if possible.

Cooling Samples:

• Samples need to arrive at the lab between 1°c to 6°c
• Ice Packs and Ice are the best options for cooling.
• Multiple ice packs are needed to ensure everything stays cool. Placing an ice pack on the bottom, 4 sides and top work well to encase your samples. Ice pack size should be relative to cooler size.
• For ice, place ice cubes in Ziplock bags to contain melting water. Then pack ice baggies around samples.
• As always, the more ice/ ice packs the better. A mix of both works as well.

Packaging Cooler:

• Cooler lid should seal/ shut all the way to prevent leaks.
• Make sure glass is cushioned. We like using bubble wrap since packing paper will get wet/ soggy.
• If using a Styrofoam shipper, make sure there is an outer box to place it in and the inner lid is sealed.
• Using packing tape, make sure to tape down both sides of the lid and at least one side gets tape looped around the entire cooler. If unsure, how we send our coolers out to clients is a good example of taping.
• Be sure to add custody seals, if needed and tape those down.