Temperature Recorders

Most US EPA Methods for the analysis of water and solid (soil, ash, sludge, waste, etc.) require the samples to be kept at a temperature of 4 °C ± 2 °C after collection and during transport to the laboratory. The temperature is more critical in some cases than others. For instance, it is important to ensure that samples for the analysis of low boiling volatile organics remain below 4 °C. If temperatures are significantly elevated during sample transport, it is possible to suffer losses of the compounds of interest and severely impact data quality.

The task to keep temperatures within the specified range becomes more of a challenge during the summer months when outside temperature and humidity levels are at their highest. The task becomes even harder if you don't have the luxury of using a laboratory sample pick-up service that typically transports samples in an air-conditioned van and have to rely on an overnight courier service. Once the samples are in the custody of the courier, sample coolers may sit on a loading dock in the hot sun for hours making it more difficult to keep them below 4 °C.

If samples are collected for compliance purposes, the data may be qualified or rejected altogether if the receipt temperatures are above 6 °C. Meaning you may have to return to the field and re-collect the samples which significantly impacts the project profitability.

One way to offset additional project costs is the use of an in-transit data recorder. Once your samples are in the cooler and ready for shipment, activate a data recorder and insert it into the cooler. Once activated, the recorder will keep a permanent record of the temperature inside the cooler on a strip chart. When the laboratory receives the samples, they should de-activate the recorder, check the strip chart to see if the temperature was elevated above the specified temperature range at any point during shipment. If so, the laboratory can notify you immediately and you have several options available to you that can save you time and money. For instance, you may still be in the field and able to re-collect the samples before you leave allowing you to save costs in traveling back to the site to re-collect the samples at a later date.

The in-transit data recorders are highly reliable, cost-effective time and temperature recording instruments. They are single use devices and when finished they are returned (postage paid) to a facility for recycling.