This standard provides guidance in determining the most appropriate procedures for packaging and shipping environmental samples. Use of this guide by personnel involved in packaging and shipping environmental samples will facilitate safe, effective and compliant procedures.

1.1 This standard provides guidance on the selection of procedures for proper packaging and shipment of environmental samples to the laboratory for analysis to ensure compliance with appropriate regulatory programs and protection of sample integrity during shipment.

1.2 This standard does not address transport of hazardous wastes for disposal purposes.

1.3 This standard does not address the selection of parameter-specific sample bottles or containers.

1.4 This guide offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course of action. This guide cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all circumstances. This guide is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this guide be applied without consideration of the many unique aspects of a project. The word “standard” in the title of this guide means only that the guide has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.