Lab News
The acquisitions continued at a brisk pace during the first quarter of 2023. York Analytical Laboratories, Inc. (York Analytical; Stratford, Connecticut) and Pace Analytical Services, LLC (Pace®; Minneapolis, Minnesota.) announced recent acquisitions. Congratulations to both York Analytical and Pace! Meanwhile, laboratory fraud just never seems to go away.
York Analytical Acquires Two Sister Laboratories in New Jersey
York Analytical acquired two sister laboratories on January 23, 2023, both located in Tom’s River New Jersey. Precision Testing Labs provides groundwater and soil testing and is accredited by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). Precision Analytical Services is the largest New Jersey laboratory exclusively providing drinking water testing and sampling services. Both laboratories will continue to operate from the existing central New Jersey facility, where York Analytical has already begun construction of additional space for new per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and soil-characterization laboratories.
“This significant investment advances several important areas for York, and immediately provides a meaningful physical presence in New Jersey,” said Michael J. Beckerich, CEO and President of York Analytical. “We are building around a great team in Toms River for the long-term and quickly expanding services to meet growing client needs.”
Pace Acquires Alpha Analytical
On March 7, 2023, Pace announced the acquisition of Alpha Analytical, LLC (Alpha Analytical), a full-service environmental laboratory services company based in Westborough, MA. Through the acquisition, Pace adds full-service laboratories in Westborough, MA and Mansfield, MA, and service centers in Brewer, ME; Portsmouth, NH; Mahwah, NJ; Albany, NY; Buffalo, NY; Rochester, NY; Syracuse, NY; Holmes, PA; and Mentor, OH.
Alpha Analytical provides a full range of environmental laboratory services complementing those offered by Pace including air, water, soil, and testing for emerging contaminants such as PFAS, which is highly regulated in the Northeast. “We are particularly excited about the breadth and depth of capabilities Alpha Analytical offers, including their sediment and tissue analysis and hydrocarbon forensics services,” commented Greg Whitman, President of Pace. “With the talented team of Alpha Analytical now part of Pace® Analytical Services, we will work together to advance science through innovation, ensuring all who need it have access to a trusted lab services partner.”
The Pace acquisition of Alpha Analytical brings significant service capabilities to customers in the northeast and beyond.
Reliance Laboratories, Inc. Owner Admits to Lying about Testing Public Water
Just when you think that laboratory fraud cannot possibly still be occurring.
As reported on January 30, 2023, by the United States Department of Justice, Northern District of West Virginia, the co-owner and manager of Reliance Laboratories, Inc., in Bridgeport, West Virginia, has admitted to violating the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act. Tenley Megan Miller, 42, of Bridgeport, was the owner of Reliance Laboratories, Inc., that supposedly tested public drinking water samples submitted to it under the Safe Drinking Water Act. In May 2021, the City of Martinsburg sent water samples to Miller’s laboratory for testing, and Miller reported that she tested the samples and found them to be safe. Investigators then discovered that Miller did not test the samples because her laboratory equipment was not operational. The City of Martinsburg unwittingly reported the false test results to the State of West Virginia pursuant to US EPA regulations.
Miller pleaded guilty to making a false representation in a matter within the jurisdiction of the US EPA. She faces up to 5 years in prison and a fine of no more than $250,000.
“The defendant in this case knowingly submitted falsified water analysis results, jeopardizing the health and safety of the impacted communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Nic Evans of US EPA’s Office of Inspector General. “Today’s guilty plea demonstrates the Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General’s commitment to holding accountable those who attempt to undermine the laws designed to protect the safety of the public’s drinking water supply.”
“The defendant in this case had knowingly falsified vital analysis results jeopardizing drinking and wastewater operations.” Said Acting Special Agent in Charge Richard Conrad of US EPA’s Criminal Investigation Mid Central Area Branch, Chicago, Illinois. “The defendant will be held accountable for their actions because they placed several communities and businesses at risk.”
Please contact David Blye if you have comments on this article. dblye@envstd.com
