QA – Field to Lab
Lori Clark
RMB Environmental Laboratories, Inc.
Quality Data
Vs.
Questionable Data
QA/QC
Quality Assurance
Quality Control
QA
Quality Assurance
Definitive measures that are used to
ensure accurate data of known
precision and bias.
QA
• Preventative Maintenance / House Cleaning
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
– Field and Laboratory
• Sample Custody
• Sample Integrity
– Preservation, Storage, and Holding Times
• Corrective Action
• Laboratory Certification Programs, Audits, Performance
Evaluations
QA
• Preventative Maintenance / House Cleaning
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
– Field and Laboratory
• Sample Custody
• Sample Integrity
– Preservation, Storage, and Holding Times
• Corrective Action
• Laboratory Certification Programs, Audits, Performance
Evaluations
QC
Quality Control
Set of measures that is used to identify
whether or not the method or procedure
is within control limits.
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•
•
•
•
QC
Operator Competence (Documents of Capabilities)
Calibration with Standards
Second Source Verification Standards (external source)
Recovery of Known Additions (spikes)
Duplicates / Replicates
– Duplicates: a second aliquot of the same matrix
– Replicates: two or more analyses from the same sample
(split)
• Blanks
– Method, Equipment, Field, Reagent
• Maintenance of Control Data
Sample Storage and Delivery to Lab
Challenge #1:
Maintaining proper Paperwork / Chain of Custody
See example of chain of custody forms
Challenge #2:
Keeping samples colder than 6 degrees Celsius
Challenge #3:
Meeting Holding times
See Federal Register Table II (40 CFR, Ch. 1)
Required Containers, Preservation Techniques, and Holding Times
Challenge #4
Keeping Shipping Costs Down
Choosing a carrier, Speedee, USPS, UPS, Fed Ex, Courier
Sample Storage and Delivery to Lab
Challenge #1:
Maintaining proper Paperwork / Chain of Custody
See example of chain of custody forms
Challenge #2:
Keeping samples colder than 6 degrees Celsius
Preserved samples meet DOT Transportation Hazardous Materials Regulations
Challenge #3:
Meeting Preservation and Holding times
See Federal Register Table II (40 CFR, Ch. 1)
Required Containers, Preservation Techniques, and Holding Times
Challenge #4
Keeping Shipping Costs Down
Choosing a carrier, Speedee, USPS, UPS, Fed Ex, Courier
Sample Storage and Delivery to Lab
Challenge #1:
Maintaining proper Paperwork / Chain of Custody
See example of chain of custody forms
Challenge #2:
Keeping samples colder than 6 degrees Celsius
Preserved samples meet DOT Transportation Hazardous Materials Regulations
Challenge #3:
Meeting Preservation and Holding times
See Federal Register Table II (40 CFR, Ch. 1)
Required Containers, Preservation Techniques, and Holding Times
Challenge #4
Keeping Shipping Costs Down
Choosing a carrier, Speedee, USPS, UPS, Fed Ex, Courier
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2009/julqtr/pdf/40cfr136.3.pdf, page 52
Except where noted in the
CFR table II and parameter method,
complete required preservation
within 15 minutes
of collection.
Short Holding Time Parameters
example of common surface water parameters
Immediate
Within 15 minutes
Chlorine, Total Residual
pH
Dissolved Oxygen
6 – 24 Hours
Coliform, Fecal
Coliform, Ecoli
6 hrs = Enforcement
24 hrs = Condition
48 Hours
BOD
Color
Nitrate (NO3)
Nitrite (NO2)
Turbidity
OP
Longer Holding Time Parameters
example of common surface water parameters
7 Days
Solids
28 Days
Ammonia
COD
Chloride
TKN
NO3+NO2
TP
Silica
Conductivity
Sulfate
6 Months
Hardness
Metals
Except Mercury
Which is
28 – 90 days
Grab Samples
Holding times
begin
at the time of collection.
Composite Samples
Using an Automated Sampler
Holding times begin
at the time of the
END
of collection.
Sample Storage and Delivery to Lab
Challenge #1:
Maintaining proper Paperwork / Chain of Custody
See example of chain of custody forms
Challenge #2:
Keeping samples colder than 6 degrees Celsius
Preserved samples meet DOT Transportation Hazardous Materials Regulations
Challenge #3:
Meeting Preservation and Holding times
See Federal Register Table II (40 CFR, Ch. 1)
Required Containers, Preservation Techniques, and Holding Times
Challenge #4
Keeping Shipping Costs Down
Choosing a carrier, Speedee, USPS, UPS, Fed Ex, Courier
http://www.speedeedelivery.com
Ada
Aitkin
Albertville
Alexandria
Appleton Apple
Austin
Valley
Bagley
Baudette
Bemidji *
Benson
Bertha
Bird Island
Blaine
Bloomington
Brainerd
Cambridge
Chisholm
Cloquet
Cokato
Detroit Lakes
Duluth *
Elk River
Fergus Falls *
Forest Lake
Fosston
Glenville
Glenwood
Golden Valley
Grand Marais
Greenbush
Hallock
Hibbing
Hinckley
Hutchinson
International Falls
Lakefield
Litchfield
Little Falls
Mahnomen
Mankato *
Marshall *
Milan
Minneapolis
Mora
New Hope
New Richland
New Ulm
North Branch
Paynesville
Pequot Lakes
Perham
Pine City
Pipestone
Ortonville
Red Lake Falls
Remer
Rochester *
Roseau
Roseville
Rushford
Saint Cloud *
Sandstone
Sauk Centre
Shakopee
Silver Bay
Slayton
Sleepy Eye
Saint Cloud
Thief River Falls *
Vadnais Heights
Virginia *
Wadena
Waite Park
Walker
Warren
Warroad
Willmar
Windom
Winona
Quality in
is NECESSARY to get
Quality out.
Resources / Acknowledgments:
• www.amrclearinghouse.org/Sub/WATERmonitoring/MonitoringPlan
• www.pca.state.mn.us/water/csmp.html
• www.rmbel.info