LABORATORY DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR DATA EVALUATION

LABORATORY DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR DATA EVALUATION

USEPA Region IX

Quality Assurance Office

San Francisco, California

R9QA/004.2 AUGUST 2001

CONTENTS

1.0

Introduction

1

2.0

General Documentation Requirements

2

2.1 Data Package Format

2

2.2 Case Narrative

2

2.3 Chain-of-Custody

3

3.0

Organic Analyses Documentation Requirements

4

3.1 Summary of Environmental Sample Results

4

3.2 Summary of QA/QC Sample Results

4

3.2.1

Instrument Calibration

4

3.2.2

Method Blank Analysis

5

3.2.3

Surrogate Standard Recovery

5

3.2.4

Internal Standard Summary

6

3.2.5

Compound Confirmation

6

3.2.6

Peak Resolution Summary

6

3.2.7

Precision and Accuracy

6

3.2.8

Other QC Criteria

7

3.3 Raw Data

7

3.3.1

Gas Chromatographic Analyses

8

3.3.2

Gas Chromatographic/Mass Spectrometric

8

Analyses

3.3.3

High Performance Liquid

9

Chromatographic Analyses

3.3.4

Immunoassay Analyses

10

4.0

Inorganic Analyses Documentation Requirements

12

4.1 Summary of Environmental Sample Results

12

4.2 Summary of QA/QC Sample Results

12

4.2.1

Instrument Calibration Verification

12

4.2.2

B

lank Analysis

13

4.2.3

Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic

13

Emission / Mass Spectrometry

Interference Check Samples

4.2.4

Precision and Accuracy

14

4.2.5

Other QC Criteria

14

4.3 Raw Data

15

4.3.1

Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic

15

Emission Spectrometric Analyses

4.3.2

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass

16

Spectrometric Analyses

4.3.3

Atomic Absorption and Atomic Emission

17

Analyses

4.3.4

Ion Chromatographic Analyses

18

4.3.5

Titrimetric and Colorimetric

18

4.3.6

Gravimetric Analyses

19

Appendices Appendix A

Appendix B

Suggested Summary Forms for Common Organic Methods

Suggested Summary Forms for Common Inorganic Methods References

A - 1

A - 2

B - 1

1.0 INTRODUCTION

In order for data to be used for decision-making purposes it is essential that it be of known and documented quality. Verification and validation of data requires that appropriate quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) procedures be followed, and that adequate documentation be included for all data generated both in the laboratory and in the field.

The QA/QC documentation provided by any laboratory, in conjunction with sample results, allows for evaluation of the following indicators of data quality:

C

Integrity and stability of samples;

C

Instrument performance during sample analysis;

C

Possibility of sample contamination;

C

Identification and quantitation of analytes;

C

Analytical precision; and

C

Analytical accuracy.

General laboratory documentation requirements discussed in this document are formatted into two sections, organic and inorganic analyses. These specifications are intended to establish general, analytical documentation requirements that contract and subcontract laboratories should meet when generating data for USEPA Region IX.

However, project or contract requirements may supercede this document. In order to fulfill project specific objectives, laboratories may be required to supply additional documentation. Users should defer to project specific planning documents to determine if they are required to provide any additional information in deliverables.

Questions or comments concerning this document should be directed to Carl Brickner, Jr., USEPA Region IX Quality Assurance Office, at (415) 744-1536 or brickner.carl@.

1

2.0 GENERAL DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS

2.1

Data Package Format

The data package submitted to EPA should consist of five sections:

C

Case narrative;

C

Chain-of-Custody (COC) documentation;

C

Summary of results for environmental samples;

C

Summary of QA/QC results; and

C

Raw data.

Summaries of data and results may be presented in a Contract Laboratory Program (CLP) type format or any equivalent that supplies the required information as stated below. All laboratory data qualifiers shall be defined in the deliverable.

In cases where the laboratory has varied from established methodologies, they are required to include the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for those methods as an attachment to deliverables. Inclusion of SOPs in deliverables will aid in final review of the data by data reviewers and users.

2.2

Case Narrative

The case narrative will be written on laboratory letterhead and the release of data will be authorized by the laboratory manager or their designee. The Case Narrative will consist of the following information:

C

Client's sample identification and the corresponding

laboratory identification;

C

Parameters analyzed for each sample and the

methodology used. EPA method numbers should be cited

when applicable;

C

Whether the holding times were met or exceeded;

C

Detailed description of all analytical and/or sample

receipt problems encountered;

C

Discussion of reasons for any QA/QC sample result

exceedences;

C

Discussion of any manual integrations; and

C

Observations regarding any occurrences which may

adversely impact sample integrity or data quality.

2.3

Chain-of-Custody

2

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