5.1 This practice is intended for use by those in the waste management industries to aid in describing the physical characteristics of waste.

5.2 This practice has two uses. One is to visually screen wastes being received at the laboratory to identify discrepancies between the waste, manifest, and historical descriptions. The other use is to visually examine soil and water samples while they are being collected. This information, along with professional judgment during sample collection, can be used to increase the knowledge of the site contamination by increasing or reducing the number of samples collected based on visible indication of contamination or lack of visible indication of contamination. For example, if a soil or groundwater sample is collected "up gradient" of the area of known or suspected contamination to obtain site background concentrations, and the sample appears contaminated, the up-gradient area can be relocated during that sampling event. Visual observation could also show that the sampling parameters need to be increased or decreased. This may reduce or eliminate the need for additional sampling trips to the field.