News America instead of National, says Collins. Membership in NACLA will be voluntary and open to "ayy organization maintaining or having an interest in laboratory accreditation." Membership in NACLA does not infer recognition by NACLA, emphasizes Collins. There will be an evaluation process that all potential accreditation bodies must undergo to become recognized by NACLA In addition, all NACLArecognized accreditation bodies will be subject to a re-evaluation at least once every two years. There are still many details that must be spelled out before NACLA is up and running. For example, proficiency testing will be one aspect of the laboratory evaluations; however, it has not been decided when such tests will be administered and what protocols will be used. Other areas such as defining a budget and establishing fees are also on the interim board's agenda for the upcoming months. The organizational structure of NACLA is another area that is still evolving. In a recent ruling by the Department of Justice, it became unlawful for any federal em-
NSF seeks
program director The National Science Foundation (NSF) is seeking a program director for the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program in the Division of Chemistry. i nis is a key position in the foundation with responsibility for the overall health of academic analytical chemistry. Responsibilities of this position include implementing the proposal review and evaluation process, implementing new or revised policies, managing and monitoring grants and interagency agreements, and representing NSF on permanent and ad hoc committees. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have a Ph.D. or equivalent experience in analytical chemistry (or a closely related field) and six years of successful research experience, research administration, and/or managerial experience beyond the Ph.D. A broad knowledge of the analytical chemistry field, the significant problems in biology and environmental research, and the research com-
ployee to serve on boards of directors of organizations such as NACLA "The Justice Department ruling wss unanticipated and created quite a hurdle for us," says Collins. Nonetheless, the program is pushing forward and election of a permanent board of directors is expected to take place in September, with close liaison with federal participants. Britt Erickson
Lack of CRMs Environmental analysis of aqueous samples is in danger of being compromised by a lack of certified reference materials (CRMs), according to David Wells of the Marine Laboratory in Aberdeen, Scotland. He has called for a network of competent institutes to be established to create standard solutions for testing seawater, potable waters, and other aqueous samples {Analyst, 1998,122,983-90. Wells is the project manager for QUASIMEME (Quality Assurance of Information for Marine Environmental Monitoring) in Europe and has come to
munity is essential Applicants may submit a resume or use an application format of their choice. Submit all application materials to the
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consulted befor e preparing the application. All forms must be postmarked by the closing date of this announcement which is June 11. Applications from disabled individuals will be considered without regard to the closing date if received prior to final selection. For additional information, a copy of the vacancy announcement, or the brochure "Applying for a Federal Job", call Catherine Handle at 703-306-1185, extension 3027. Hearing impaired individuals may call TDD 703-306-0189. This announcement can be found at http:// www.nsf.gov/pubs/1998/vex9835a/ vex9835a.txt. Inquiries of a technical nature should be directed to Janet G. Osteryoung, Division of Chemistry at 703-306-1845.
3 7 4 A Analytical Chemistry News & Features, June 1, 1998
the conclusion that a lack of CRMs for trace organic contaminants in different types of water has "placed a serious restriction on the ability to validate analytical methodology and provide the necessary quality assessment of data from aqueous samples." Most CRMs are highly homogenous powders containing the analytes to be studied in a matrix such as dried soils, sediments, or degraded biological tissue. Wells points out that there are stringent guidelines for these materials to which manufacturers must adhere, and in general they have been easy to comply with in terms of preparation, storage, and shelf-life. "QUASIMEME," says Wells, "has, in part, overcome these problems with the preparation of wet stabilized sediments and wet homogeneous biological tissues for test materials, but there is still a gap for adequate aqueous RMs." European legislation requires increased testing of water supplies—for organic contaminants (from phenolics to organohalogens) in drinking water, organophosphorus compounds in coastal waters, and organic pesticides and tributyl tin compounds in seawater. The need for reference materials to conform with testing are in great demand. Many of the tests are still without aqueous reference materials. Wells points out that cost is a major factor prohibiting the development of reference materials: there is such an extensive range of potential contaminants to assess and an equally large number of matrices. "The overwhelming cost magnitude and cost of the task is possibly one of the reasons for the limited progress," he says. "It is apparent that the producers of [aqueous] reference materials are unlikely to meet the current or foreseeable demand," he adds. He offers a viable solution. Several expert institutes could be networked to create test materials rather than reference materials that would cover each type of matrix—seawater, potable water, river water, and so forth—and be used by analytical laboratories to produce their own blanks and spiked references for the particular test. Initial capital would have to be pumped in, but, says Wells, "funds to maintain such a scheme would not be prohibitive because financing could be eased on subscription by the participants worldwide." David Bradley
