An Introduction to the National Environmental Methods Index

Selecting appropriate analytical methods is a critical part of planning for monitoring projects and environmental decision making, but that selection can be a complex task in itself. Now, there's another resource: a web-based, searchable index. Lawrence H. Keith at Instant Reference Sources, Inc., Herbert J. Brass at the U.S. EPA, Daniel T. Sullivan at the U.S. Geological Survey, James A. Boiani at Computer Sciences Corp., and Katherine T. Alben at the Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health describe the index and provide a historical perspective on methods comparability. They also discuss a companion index in development for use in chemical, biological, and radiological emergency situations. © 2005 American Chemical Society.