EPA Region 6 Mobile Laboratory

The Region 6 Houston Laboratory Services and Applied Science Division (LSASD) has two accredited mobile laboratories for field response events – a 30-foot gooseneck trailer (2003) and a Mercedes Sprinter cargo van (2022). The labs are equipped with the following features:

• Internet connectivity (Sprinter – wifi hotspot; Trailer – satellite)
• Generator or shore-power capabilities
• Built-in sample refrigerator
• Dedicated incubators for microbiological testing
• Efficient air conditioning and ventilation
• Sample staging area with retractable awning
• Bench-mounted 120V outlets for various equipment
• Locking storage compartments
• Self-contained water system with clean and gray tanks
• Fully equipped EMS station with emergency eyewash, fire extinguisher, and first aid-trained staff

The mobile labs are designed to accommodate modern instrumentation and field testing. Current and planned analytical capabilities include:

• Microbiological testing for drinking water safety (coliform bacteria and E. coli)
• Soil and water metals analysis via XRF (X-ray fluorescent) a non-destructive elemental analysis.
• Ignitability analysis
• Air quality monitoring via mini-canisters
• HAB (harmful algal bloom) identification
• Ecological monitoring such as the National Rivers and Streams Assessment and National Lakes Assessment
• Various outreach events

Advantages of a Mobile Laboratory include:

On-Site Support	Rapid Screening and Results	Time Efficient	Cost Efficient
Deployment within Region 6 establishes EPA presence within communities	Field instruments provide stream-lined analysis and faster turnaround	Eliminates waiting time for samples to be shipped to fixed laboratories	Eliminates cost of shipping to fixed laboratories

Based at the Regional Laboratory in Houston, TX, the mobile lab has been deployed in the field for disaster support, enforcement, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and drinking water analyses, and is available upon request for support of all programs. Past events include disaster response during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Superfund site characterization and remediation, National Rivers and Streams Assessment training, community outreach events such as Austin Soil Kitchen, regional EPA enforcement and Homeland Security activities, and various other preparedness exercises.

Control measures are in place to ensure data quality via both mobile labs maintaining full accreditation to perform analyses. Chemists and biologists from the lab are qualified to staff the unit and undergo special training to prepare for field events.