This report discusses the emerging development of nationwide alert systems to recover missing adults, such as those with mental impairment (such as Alzheimer's disease), developmental disabilities, or suicidal tendencies. This report provides an overview of such alert systems in 11 states: Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas, and Virginia. This report also provides a discussion of issues for Congress to consider with respect to the federal role, if any, in developing state alert programs for missing adults.

Abstract: The U.S. Geological Survey maintains a quality-assurance program based on the analysis of reference samples for its two water-analysis laboratories located in Atlanta, Georgia, and Denver, Colorado. Reference samples containing inorganic constituents are prepared at the U.S. Geological Survey's Ocala, Florida office and disguised as routine samples, and sent daily to each laboratory through other U.S. Geological Survey offices. The results are permanently stored in the National Water Data Storage and Retrieval System (WATSTORE), the U.S. Geological Survey's data base for all water data. These data are analyzed statistically for precision and bias. The results of these statistical analyses are presented for data collected during the 1981 calendar year. In addition, one sample containing known concentrations chlorophyll a were analyzed in both laboratories, and these results also are presented.