"AIHA accreditation helps UHL provide high quality analytical services to our clients," says Sarah May, UHL supervisor of GC analysis. "The accreditation allows UHL to perform asbestos testing in bulk building materials and fiber, silica testing and organic-solvent testing in air using a variety of techniques. These include polarized light microscopy, phase contrast microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, gas or liquid chromatography, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy.

Mark Pendergast (foreground), UHL chemist, and AIHA site auditor Steve Lerman

"Auditors conduct the onsite process by reviewing documentation and records to ensure compliance with AIHA accreditation quality and technical requirements," Sarah adds. "The auditor checklist is approximately 40 pages long and covers areas such as management, documentation, technical requirements, personnel, proficiency testing and methods used for analyses."

The Iowa City UHL has been accredited by the AIHA since 1974. Audits are completed every two years. The Ankeny UHL facility completed its audit earlier this year. The AIHA LQAP, which is accredited under the National Cooperation for Laboratory Accreditation (NACLA), must include requirements to meet the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standard ISO/IEC 17025 of participating laboratories. AIHA incorporates the ISO specifications into their certification program.