Galbraith Laboratories, Inc.
FAQ
Submitting Samples
Do I need to send the Analytical Request Form (ARF) to you or just submit it with my samples?
Please include a copy of the ARF with your samples and keep a copy for yourself as a record of what was sent.
Do you perform biological testing?
We do not perform microbiological testing on site. However, we do have a few partner labs that can do some limited microbiological testing. Contact us for more information.
Do you still have my sample? Or, will you hang on to my sample for a bit while we make a decision?
From Terms & Conditions: “Samples are not retained for regulatory purposes. We retain hazardous samples for 30 days and non-hazardous samples for 60 days prior to disposal or return to the client. Water, sludge, food, perishable, and air-sensitive samples are retained under original storage conditions for 7 days past the report ”
I need to request rush testing. Do I need to do anything differently when I submit my samples?
In addition to requesting rush testing on the analytical request form, it is best practice to email us at labinfo@galbraith.com prior to sending rush samples to ensure rush testing is available and so that the lab can plan ahead of time for your samples. Please mark RUSH on the outside of the shipping container so that our staff can prioritize the processing of the incoming work.
I have a sample that is of critical priority to me to meet a deadline. How can I best ensure the lab is able to meet this deadline?
There are a couple of things you can do to help ensure priority deadlines are met:
- Email/call us ahead of shipping the sample to inform us that a request for Priority/Rush is incoming and what the analysis will be. This allows the lab to ensure all materials are available and plan instrument availability.
- If this is the first time you are submitting this type of analysis request to the lab, request a technical staff member to discuss the analysis. Testing can encounter hurdles, and this is especially true for the first time we’ve handled your product. Proper vetting of the details can give you better confidence on how quickly we can turn around your testing and whether or not this will meet all your goal objectives.
What is the ICP-MS Screen Service?
The ICP-MS Screen is a 64 element semi-quantitative scan with estimated ± 50% relative error. We guarantee that 60 elements will be included in the screen report. Up to four elements may be marked “N/A”. Elements that are present in concentrations > 1% will be reported as “Major”. If your sample material is high in an element that causes interferences on the analysis, more than 4 elements may be marked “N/A”. If you need specific elements analyzed, one of our other quantitative methods should be selected.
On the Analytical Request Form, what does this mean: "Are the stated Theory/Range values regulatory specifications?"
If the provided Theory/Range values are intended to be pass-fail specifications, which would automatically trigger an Analytical Investigation per 21 CFR § 211.192 for an out-of-specification (OOS) result, then the answer is “Yes”. In some cases, a client may wish to provide estimated values or internal specifications not subject to regulation. In such cases the answer would be “No”, and any OOS result would only trigger an Analytical Investigation if specifically prompted by the client.
What is the best way to get a status update on my order?
Email us at status@galbraith.com and our helpful customer service team will ensure that you receive a timely updated on the status of your order.
Lab Reports
Can you send me the method(s) used for testing?
Analytical methods can originate from a variety of sources. Please contact us for help in determining the specific method(s) that were used for testing. Many procedures are widely accepted, industry standard procedures that can be downloaded or purchased by any individual. If the method cited is from Galbraith, then specific details are considered proprietary in nature, and we do not release these to the public.
What is the detection limit for [insert method]?
Because many of our in-house methods are used for a variety of sample matrices, accurate limits of detection for your material may not be available without full validation. Most quantitative methods calculate a Limit of Quantitation during the analysis, and this quantitation limit is dependent on a variety of parameters such as sample mass, dilution factor, interferences, and calibration range. If you need an estimate for how our methods might perform for your material, please contact the lab directly.
My results don't seem to match the expected value. What is your policy on retesting?
Our standard retesting policy allows retesting in duplicate, of the remaining sampling of material still at GLI (if available). The fees for this retesting are waived only if the results do not agree with the original result.
My priority/rush sample was not completed within the original estimated turnaround time. Can my order be downgraded to a lower cost TAT as a result?
Turnaround times (TATs) listed are estimates only and are subject to events such as abnormally high sample volume, unexpected hurdles related to the analysis specifics, or other unforeseen delays. Samples are always handled according to their priority status in our system while they remain at the lab (i.e. Priority before Rush before Standard). Therefore, outside of rare circumstances, delays past the original estimated TAT are sometimes encountered and corresponding pricing is not downgraded due to a delay in the delivery of the results.
What does the "less-than" sign ( < ) on my report mean?
The “less-than” sign in front of a result indicates that the observed concentration of that analyte was below the quantitation limit. You can think of this as meaning that, 0 ≤ observed concentration < reported result.
Why do the quantitation/reporting limits on my sample vary (e.g. < 0.99 ppm and <0.97 ppm)?
“Less-than” results are normalized against the amount of sample used. So, for example, when 252 mg was used for one sample and 257 mg for another, small variations in quantitation/reporting limits occur.
Do you offer custom reporting options?
We do offer the ability to create custom reports to fit your documentation needs. Custom document preparation is $260/hour and written by our technical staff.
I ordered raw data with my sample. When can I expect to receive it?
Raw data is delivered on the same turnaround service as the original sample submission. Once you receive your report you should expect to receive the raw data in an additional 10 business days (Standard), 5-days (Rush), or 2-days (Priority).
Validation
Do you perform verification on USP methods?
Yes. The complexity of these verifications varies by procedure type and the particular USP requirements. Please contact us for specific details.
Can you do USP <467> or USP <233>?
Yes we can with validation/verification. Please contact us for a quote.
Do you participate in GLP studies?
Yes we do. Galbraith Laboratories has a long history of supporting GLP studies. Reach out to us for a quote.