For more than 25 years, the Environmental Proficiency Test and Validation Unit (EPTAVU), of the Wadsworth Center’s Division of Environmental Health Sciences (DEHS), produced a comprehensive suite of environmental proficiency testing (PT) samples for hundreds of laboratories accredited through the New York State Department of Health’s Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (ELAP). As the only state public health laboratory in the nation accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) as a PT provider for environmental analyses, Wadsworth Center provided national leadership in this critical function.
The EPTAVU program was founded by the late Dr. Kenneth Jackson, whose expertise in analytical chemistry laid the groundwork for the program’s recognition by The NELAC Institute (TNI). Through this work, EPTAVU played a vital role in evaluating the accuracy and reliability of environmental testing laboratories, reinforcing the NYSDOH mission to protect public health.
EPTAVU earned a reputation for exceptional quality and breadth. It was among a select group of providers producing PT samples compliant with TNI standards and maintained continuous A2LA accreditation to ISO/IEC 17043 and TNI Volume 3 requirements. At its peak, EPTAVU manufactured, validated, and distributed more than 13,000 PT samples annually across as many as 117 different offerings.
The program supported environmental testing across Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Bacteriology, Asbestos, and Radiochemistry, with matrices including potable and non-potable water, solid waste, and air. Notably, EPTAVU was:
- One of only two TNI-accredited radiochemistry PT providers nationwide;
- The only PT provider producing asbestos PTs in drinking water recognized by TNI, NYSDOH, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and
- The sole NYSDOH-recognized provider for lead in paint and lead in dust wipe PTs until 2021.
While EPTAVU will discontinue production of chemistry and bacteriology PT samples, it will continue to operate as the sole PT provider for its nationally recognized asbestos PT programs in drinking water, solid waste, and air. The asbestos program is expected to continue growing in the years ahead.
Since 2020, EPTAVU has been led by Amy DeMarco, who coordinated PT scheduling across production and validation laboratories, ensured on-time distribution, served as the program’s statistical lead, and oversaw final reporting to participant laboratories. The program’s success was the result of extensive collaboration across production, validation, and DEHS teams, reflecting a truly world-class effort. Dozens of retired Wadsworth Center staff were instrumental in building and maintaining the program over decades, including Matt Caruso, Dan Dickinson, Dr. Ellen Braun-Howland, Dr. Thomas Semkow, and Marge Prevost.
EPTAVU’s legacy reflects the Wadsworth Center's commitment to scientific excellence, laboratory quality, and public health protection – principles that will continue to guide its programs.