Testing programs, cost-effective

The major emphasis in environmental measurements over the past 2 years has been on development of procedures for Level 1. As presently conceived. Level 1 is structured to produce a cost-effective information base for prioritizing streams and for planning any subsequent programs. The specific procedures applied are detailed in two published manuals, the first covering sampling and chemical analysis (4) and the second biological tests (5). Application of the complete battery of procedures provides input data to support evaluation of the following questions ... 

For these reasons, the Examinations Institute has chosen to continue with the development of sets of examinations in the multiple choice format for a large scale testing program available to a large number of institutions at a reasonable price per examination. The Examinations Institute can consider other means of testing in the future as those means become cost effective. 

NOTE It is also recommended that a biocide efficacy test be performed annually on the cooling system water. This checks the effectiveness of a range of biocides and it enables the most cost-effective program to be in place. It provides a response to possible changing circumstances, such as the development of any resistant species. 

The selection of chemicals that will provide the refiner or oil producer with a cost-effective emulsion-breaking program that meets or exceeds all performance parameters is usually the function of a chemical service company. The selection process has historically been viewed as a black art that produces as many failures as successes. This assessment of the situation has been realistic. However, with an ever-increasing understanding of emulsions and emulsion-breaking chemicals, the development of new test procedures and devices, and a well-organized method of chemical selection, many of the failures can be eliminated. 

Any decision to develop other new immunoassays will depend on the success of the three projects still underway. However, we will continue to monitor the development of immunoassays by both other government agencies and by industry to identify tests relevant to our mission. By adapting commercially developed immunoassays as well as funding methods development for specific compounds, we hope to keep our environmental analysis program as efficient and cost-effective as possible. 

We embarked on a large program five years ago to demonstrate that we can use our technical innovation power, coupled with a partner s capability in engineering enzymes, to make bulk chemicals and fibers cost effectively. Our goal was to produce a specialty fiber we call Sorona (Figure 6), which incorporates the attractive properties of nylon, Dacron and Lycra, resulting in superior softness, vibrant color, UV and chlorine resistance, and stain resistance coupled with stretch and recovery. Market test development shows that consumers find this combination of functionalities very attractive. 

The R D program has two thrusts 1) Basic research and laboratory studies to establish the technical base from which innovative and cost-effective hazardous waste site cleanup technologies can be developed, and 2) field testing of promising technologies for which no performance "track record" is available. The latter includes pilot and prototype-scale demonstrations, and is the focus of this paper as it applies to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). 

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