SEDL / STP / STP1075-EB / STP25489S

Reporting Environmental Data of Known Quality

Pink, PN
Senior Scientist, Environmental Technical Support, EG&G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, MSID

Jessup, JS
Scientific Specialist, EG&G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, MSID

Knight, DK
Director, Hazardous Materials Technical Center, Dynamac, Rockville, MD

Pages: 14    Published: Jan 1991

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Abstract

A comprehensive approach was developed for environmental program documents to integrate field data, analytical chemistry data, quality control data, and historical data when reporting results to accommodate technical and programmatic data users. The objective of this paper is to present this comprehensive and effective means of reporting the quality and usability of the analytical chemical data generated from the analysis of environmental samples. Most environmental programs require legally admissable data of known quality that will satisfy regulatory requirements and the rigors of potential litigation. Analytical chemical data generated using validated Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) protocols or their equivalent provide the supporting quality control (QC) information necessary to assess the quality of the data; however, no conclusion is drawn as to the programmatic usability of the data. The approach outlined in this paper details a mechanism for assessing, documenting, and reporting what is known about the data quality and consequently the usability of the analytical chemical data generated.