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Substantial costs are incurred to obtain
and analyze samples. But, there are common pitfalls in the
field and in the laboratory that can compromise the reliability
of environmental data. This section provides access to papers
previously published by experienced environmental and laboratory
professionals to help environmental regulators and practitioners
avoid data quality problems. (These
papers are from literature in the public domain, or are posted here with
permission.)
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Performance-Based Evaluation of Laboratory Quality Systems:
An Objective Tool to Identify QA Program Elements that Actually Impact Data Quality |
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Sevada K. Aleckson, Western Region Quality Assurance Manager
Quanterra Inc., 1721 S. Grand Avenue, Santa Ana, California 92705
Tel. (714) 258-8610, Fax (714) 258-0921
Garabet H. Kassakhian, Ph.D., Quality Assurance Director
Tetra Tech, Inc., 670 N. Rosemead Blvd., Pasadena, California 91107-2190
Tel. (818) 351-4664
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On-site laboratory evaluations, a key element of the laboratory approval process, encourage the proper implementation of analytical methods and provide supporting documentation to demonstrate method performance. These evaluat
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Article (81K/PDF)
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The Method Detection Limit: Fact or Fantasy? |
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Richard Burrows, Ph.D., Director, Technology
Quanterra Inc., 4955 Yarrow St., Arvada, Colorado 80002
Jack Hall, Director, Quality Assurance
Quanterra Inc., 5815 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee 37921
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This paper discusses whether the Method Detection Limit (MDL), as currently measured and calculated in most actual laboratory practice, can realistically present a true picture of analytical method sensitivity.
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Full Abstract | View/Download
Article (538K/PDF)
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Quality Control: The Great Myth |
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Thomas L. Francoeur, Atlantic Ecotechnologies/TEG Northwest, 160 Longwoods Road, Cumberland, ME 04021
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Both data generators and data users are under economic pressure to drive down the cost of their respective services. This pressure forces data generators to take shortcuts, and data users circumvent the Data Quality Objective
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Article (3074K/PDF)
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Performance Based Criteria, A Panel Discussion |
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Michael T. Homsher (Hazardous Material Management Program at the University of Findlay, Findlay, Ohio); Fred Haeberer, PhD (Quality Assurance Management Staff at U.S. EPA, Washington, DC); Paul J. Marsden, PhD (senior scientist at Scientific Applications Inc., San Diego, CA); Ronald K. Mitchum, PhD (president of Research Triangle Laboratories in Columbus, Ohio); Dean Neptune, PhD (Quality Assurance Management Staff at U.S. EPA, Washington, DC); and John Warren, PhD (Office of Policy Planning for U.S. EPA, Washington, DC)
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On July 9, 1991, five panel members representing several sectors of the environmental analysis industry convened in Washington, DC, at the invitation of the University of Findlay, Wheaton Scientific, I-Chem Research and VWR S
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Article (3849K/PDF)
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Lessons Learned from Performance Evaluation Studies |
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Ruth L. Forman, Quality Assurance Specialist/Principal
Rock J. Vitale, CPC
Technical Director or Chemistry/Principal
Environmental Standards, Inc., 1140 Valley Forge Road, Valley Forge, PA 19482
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Performance Evaluation (PE) samples are routinely utilized by both the regulatory and regulated communities to demonstrate a laboratory’s proficiency in performing a given analytical method. PE samples are submitted to labora
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Article (79K/PDF)
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Investigation versus Remediation: Perception and Reality |
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Emma P. Popek, Ph.D., Field Analytical Services Manager
OHM Remediation Services Corp., 5731 West Las Positas, Pleasanton, California 94588
telephone (510) 227-1105 ext. 426, fax (510) 463-0719
Garabet H. Kassakhian, Ph.D., Quality Assurance Director
Tetra Tech, Inc., 670 North Rosemead Blvd., Pasadena, California 91107-2190, telephone (818) 351-4664
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Investigative strategies, not based on project Data Quality Objectives (DQO) and/or not statistically justified, have a high risk of producing non-representative analytical data. The problem is further aggravated by a data va
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Full Abstract | View/Download
Article (83K/PDF)
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http://www.clu-in.org/products/dataquality/default.cfm
Page Last Modified: March 13, 2003
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