The development and certification of Standard Reference Materials((R)) (SRMs) to assess and ensure accurate measurement of Pb in the environment

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (KIST) has had a major q uality-assurance role in the federal effort to reduce lead poisoning of chi ldren in the United States through its mission of ensuring the accuracy of chemical measurements. NIST certifies reference materials (standard referen ce materials - SRMs) that are used to benchmark measurements by secondary a nd field methods of analysis - to ensure that decisions of great health and economic impact are soundly based on good measurement science. Over the pa st 10 years, in cooperation with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EP A), US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the United St ates Geological Survey (USGS), NIST has prepared and certified SRMs for lea d content in soil, indoor dust, and paint. The role of these materials in m eeting regulatory and abatement needs is described and their certified valu es are summarized.