Public Hearing on Proposed Revisions to Laboratory Certification Rule 15A NCAC 02H .0804

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will hold a public hearing on November 29, 2022 on the proposed revisions to Laboratory Certification Rule 15A NCAC 02H .0804.  The public is invited to provide comment on the proposal at the Ground Floor Hearing room in the Archdale Building, 512 North Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27603, beginning at 6 p.m.

A multitude of emerging contaminants broadly known as “Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)” are of great concern for NC regulators and the general public at large. DEQ anticipates requiring many permitted facilities to test for this class of compounds in the near future. Permits require analyses to be performed by certified laboratories (i.e., certified by NC WW/GW Laboratory Certification Branch). EPA method 1633 “Analysis of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Aqueous, Solid, Biosolids, and Tissue Samples by LC-MS/MS” will allow testing for 40 PFAS target analytes and is anticipated to be promulgated within the year. The NC WW/GW Laboratory Certification Branch does not currently have the authority to certify for the parameter known as “PFAS”. This parameter must be added to Certification rule 15A NCAC 02H .0804 (d).
Analysis of “Organic Fluorine” provides an aggregate measurement of chemical substances that contain carbon-fluorine bonds.
This analysis is especially useful for understanding the presence and forms of PFAS in wastewater when used in conjunction with methods that target individual PFAS compounds. This analysis may also be useful in confirming the need for remediation of sites where PFAS contaminated is suspected. The NC WW/GW Laboratory Certification Branch does not currently have the authority to certify for the parameter known as “Organic Fluorine”. This parameter must be added to Certification rule 15A NCAC 02H .0804 (d).

Event: Public Hearing on Proposed Revisions to Laboratory Certification Rule 15A NCAC 02H .0804
When: Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, at 6 p.m.
Where: Ground Floor Hearing room in the Archdale Building, 512 North Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27603

The public is also invited to comment in writing on the proposed changes. Written comments must be received by DEQ no later than December 2, 2022. Please email written comments to CertificationRuleComments@ncdenr.gov.  

Comments may also be submitted by mail to:

The proposed rules and supporting documents are available online.