The Importance of Sample Collection
The quality of the analyses and results largely depends on the quality of the sample collection: no matter how accurate the laboratory tests are, if the sample is not representative of reality, the results will not be good.
Sampling bottles
Samples must be collected using bottles supplied by the laboratory. If you already have sampling bottles that have not been provided by Labsco, please contact us to confirm their compliance before using them. Samples collected and transmitted to the laboratory in unsuitable bottles will be rejected.
The sampling bottles distributed by the laboratory have been selected to meet the need for your analyses. Pre-preserved sample bottles for testing are made up of HDPE or glass, have an easy-to-fill identification label, a safety ring that ensures safety, cleanliness and, if necessary, the sterility of the container. They also contain a preservative to best preserve the sample until analysis. These precautions, combined with post-sampling refrigeration, minimize sample alterations and thus ensure that the analytical results are representative of the sampled system.
Why use the bottles supplied by the laboratory? (clickable link leading to blog) A FAIRE
To obtain sample bottles or to obtain information on the type of bottles to use, contact our laboratory’s specialists. The collection bottles can be shipped to you or picked up at our premises.
Sampling guides
To help you with your water sampling, our laboratory has prepared the following guides:
- Drinking water sampling
- Cooling tower water sampling
Sample transmission
Sample bottles must be sent to the laboratory within a certain period following collection. This time frame depends on the analysis that needs to be done, but in general a maximum of 45 hours is recommended to avoid the rejection of samples. Samples can be delivered in person at the reception desk Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sample bottles can also be mailed or delivered by carrier directly to our laboratory. However, do not forget to consider transit times. For more information on how long samples will be transmitted, contact our laboratory.
In all cases, the laboratory must receive the completed sample transmission form, either electronically or physically.
State at reception
Samples received frozen, in the wrong bottles or within incorrect collection times will not be tested unless an agreement is reached with the customer. In addition, the temperature of the samples at reception should be less than 13°C, unless they have been sampled less than 4 hours prior to reception.
Other types of sampling
There are hundreds of different situations for which a sample can be taken. We can think of soils, air, production, containers, surfaces, etc. Labsco’s laboratories can guide you and accompany you in the collection of samples and analysis of your situation. Our scientists can help you develop a sampling plan and assist you in validating it.
Do not hesitate to contact us for any questions!