Guide for sampling and analysis of bisphenol A (BPA) in industrial effluent: chapter 3
Chapter 3
3.0 Monitoring Plan
In order to ensure that monitoring is specific, targeted and cost effective, a monitoring plan must be developed. The monitoring plan will detail the actions, responsibilities and time frames necessary for the monitoring objective to be met.
3.1 Objective
The P2 Planning Notice identifies the following Risk Management Objective (RMO):
- Achieve and maintain the lowest total BPA concentration that is economically and technically feasible below 1.75 µg/L in the effluent released at the final discharge point of the facility through methods other than dilution.
The objective of the monitoring plan is to understand the concentrations of BPA in the facility’s effluent to ensure that they do not exceed the RMO identified in the P2 Planning Notice. A good understanding of the concentrations of BPA in the facility’s effluent will enable the facility operators to know whether they are meeting the RMO or if they need to implement pollution prevention or pollution control processes to reduce the concentration of BPA in their effluent.
3.2 Preliminary Assessment
Prior to developing a sampling plan of the facility’s effluent, it is important for the sample collector to understand the production process and effluent treatment process of the site. Once the sample collector has gained an understanding of the site’s operating processes, a detailed sampling plan can be developed to meet the site’s unique requirements. For example, a facility that only operates 8 hours each day will have a different effluent flow pattern than a facility that operates 24 hours each day.
Sampling should be representative of the effluent containing BPA released at the final discharge point under normal operating conditions. It is important to ensure that samples are collected from the last point where the facility has control over the quality of the effluent.
If sampling at this point is not possible, sampling can be taken earlier or later in the process (e.g., production, packaging or cleaning), provided that effluent at the sampling location is as close as possible to the expected concentration of BPA resulting from normal operating conditions or could lead, by using an estimation method, to the concentration of BPA at the final discharge point. Facilities should document the reasons for site selection and how estimates were determined.
Note: If there is more than one final discharge point, representative sampling should occur at each final discharge point.
3.3 Monitoring Plan Outline
A complete monitoring plan should include discussion of each of the following topics:
- Occupational health and safety equipment;
- Sampling equipment;
- Sampling type, method and location;
- Quality assurance and quality control;
- Laboratory analysis and analytical method; and
- Documentation and reporting.
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