SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1996
STP11720S

Quality Assurance Guidance for Laboratories Performing Aquatic Toxicity Tests

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Satisfactory laboratory performance is critical to the use of aquatic toxicity tests in regulatory, industrial and research applications. Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) practices are fundamental to demonstrating satisfactory performance. Laboratory aquatic toxicity test procedural and performance criteria can help a potential client decide that an aquatic toxicity laboratory will meet a need, as well as help an outside reviewer determine that test results are valid. Laboratory practices to assure and control quality include training staff, using standard procedures, and keeping valid records, but also include evaluating and improving performance. These components echo several widely used quality management principles. The costs of poor quality (lost time, lost production and lost image) touch both the laboratory and the laboratory's customers. While the level of quality should reflect the use of the study, higher quality work provides for better control, better data and better service, benefits ultimately shared by both the suppliers and users of aquatic toxicity data.

Author Information

Harrass, MC
Amoco Corporation, Chicago, IL
Klemm, DJ
National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH
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Details
Developed by Committee: E47
Pages: 349–373
DOI: 10.1520/STP11720S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5345-5
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-2031-0