EPA MethodsThe United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains and approves test methods, which are approved procedures for measuring the presence and concentration of physical, chemical and biological contaminants; evaluating properties, such as toxic properties, of chemical substances; or measuring the effects of substances under various conditions. The methods in the Agency index are known as EPA Methods.[1][2] There are other types of methods such as the ASTM and United States Pharmacopeia, but the EPA Methods are developed through a regulatory process involving public notice, comment and revision and are legally binding whereas ASTM methods are developed through a consensus process and compliance is voluntary.[3][4][5][6] These methods are developed to help standardize and achieve the EPA mission to protect the environment and human health.[7] NomenclatureThe method numbers generally range from 1 to 9000 and may have modification letters appended to the end, signifying a newer version of the method has been released. Some ranges of numbers appear to be organized with intention, for example methods 1-99 being air methods or the 7000s being for hazardous waste.[8] Others number ranges, however, seem to only contain random methods, like the 300 and 400 series both being for wet chemistry methods.[9] Searchable databasesEPA methods are listed by category on the EPA website.[2] The US government keeps a collection of environmental testing methods at the National Environmental Methods Index website which includes EPA methods along with methods from other agencies like the USGS.[10] See alsoReferences
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