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QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURES

GUIDANCEQUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL ProceduresGUIDANCE SUMMARY-AT-A-GLANCE# QUALITY assurance (QA) is a process designed to ensure that all data collected areadequate for the purpose for which they are collected, that is, the data are complete,reliable, and representative. QUALITY CONTROL (QC) is the routine application ofprocedures for controlling the accuracy and precision of data measurements. PracticingQA/QC ensures that all samples collected are of adequate QUALITY to ensure an efficientand effective cleanup and, when necessary, to withstand legal scrutiny in a court case.#This section provides QA/QC protocols for sample collection and handling during spillresponse activities. These protocols cover the following topics: --Well drilling and development;--Decontamination of equipment;--Sample containers;--Sample preservation requirements;--QA/QC for sample collection;--Splitting samples with responsible parties and others; and-- chain -of- custody recordkeeping.

manner as to guarantee a chain of custody. Seal each sample after collection and have an identification and custody tag attached showing the sample's serial number, time and date collected, source, and type of preservation. The chain-of-custody record (Exhibit 2.4-4) should accompany each sample shipment sent back to the laboratory, and must

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Transcription of QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURES

1 GUIDANCEQUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL ProceduresGUIDANCE SUMMARY-AT-A-GLANCE# QUALITY assurance (QA) is a process designed to ensure that all data collected areadequate for the purpose for which they are collected, that is, the data are complete,reliable, and representative. QUALITY CONTROL (QC) is the routine application ofprocedures for controlling the accuracy and precision of data measurements. PracticingQA/QC ensures that all samples collected are of adequate QUALITY to ensure an efficientand effective cleanup and, when necessary, to withstand legal scrutiny in a court case.#This section provides QA/QC protocols for sample collection and handling during spillresponse activities. These protocols cover the following topics: --Well drilling and development;--Decontamination of equipment;--Sample containers;--Sample preservation requirements;--QA/QC for sample collection;--Splitting samples with responsible parties and others; and-- chain -of- custody recordkeeping.

2 #Any sampling equipment used should preferably be laboratory cleaned, packaged, anddedicated for use at one site and sample location for each day of sampling equipment between uses is acceptable provided the recommended fielddecontamination PROCEDURES listed in Exhibit are followed. #Refer to Exhibit for container types recommended for sample handling.#Refer to Exhibit for the various types, concentrations, and amounts ofpreservatives required for samples.#A trip blank is prepared as a CONTROL measure of sample container preparation, blankwater QUALITY , and sample handling. Handle the trip blank in the same manner as theother sample containers. One trip blank should be handled for each sampling.#A field blank is used to check on potential sources of contamination resulting fromexposure to the ambient air or from improperly cleaned sampling equipment.

3 Handle,store, transport, and analyze field blanks in the same manner as the samples collectedthat same day.#Duplicate samples are collected to determine the accuracy of a laboratory's analysis byallowing a comparison of analytical results for two samples from the same recommend that one duplicate sample be taken for every 20 samples SUMMARY-AT-A-GLANCE(continued) #Spiked samples provide a proficiency check on how much of the added analyte can bedetected. Analyte can be lost during transport and storage of the collected samples, andanalyte recovery will be a function of the analyte equipment. The analysis requirementsfor spiked samples are the same as those for the regular field samples.#Split samples are also collected to determine the accuracy of a laboratory's samples allow a comparison of analytical results for two parts of the same samplefrom the same sampling location.

4 #Requests from other state, local, or federal agencies for split samples should behonored. Requests from known or suspected spillers should be discussed with yourRSE, regional attorneys, and, as necessary, with the Central Office of the Bureau ofSpill Prevention and Response (BSPR) before you agree. #All collected samples, especially to be used as evidence in cases where penalties arelikely to be assessed and/or legal action is contemplated, must be handled in such amanner as to guarantee a chain of custody . Seal each sample after collection and havean identification and custody tag attached showing the sample's serial number, time anddate collected, source, and type of preservation. The chain -of- custody record ( ) should accompany each sample shipment sent back to the laboratory, and mustshow the name or initials of each individual in succession that has handled thatshipment.

5 #Contractor laboratories are required to follow the analytical methods and QA/QCprocedures defined by the Environmental Protection Agency and the StateDepartment of Health. No other methods are to be substituted unless these changes havebeen approved by the ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURES Whether samples of released product or potentially contaminated air, water, or soil arecollected by you or your contractor, make sure that the data collected are of adequatequality to ensure an efficient and effective cleanup and, where appropriate, to withstandlegal scrutiny in a court case. That is the basic function of the QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY QUALITY assurance (QA) program ensures that all data collected are complete, reliable, andrepresentative. Data QUALITY needs vary throughout the different stages of a spill response.

6 Youbegin the QA process, therefore, by considering the purposes for which you collect data andthen evaluating the data QUALITY requirements of those good professional data sampling and analysis PROCEDURES is a good start forproviding adequate QA. Consequently, this Spill Response Guidance Manual is itself a majorelement of our QA program. Guidance is provided regarding good technical and institutionalprocedures for data collection, analysis, and reporting, and for case CONTROL (QC) is the routine application of PROCEDURES for controlling the accuracy andprecision of data measurements. QUALITY CONTROL is a direct function of QUALITY assurance . Youradherence to the site investigation and environmental sampling PROCEDURES discussed in thismanual will help to minimize problems with QC.

7 Following these standard PROCEDURES ,however, does not ensure that your data are either precise or accurate. Problems can arise ifsystematic errors, such as using improperly calibrated sampling/monitoring devices orcontaminated drilling or sampling equipment, occur during data collection and go PROCEDURES such as collecting and analyzing duplicate, split, trip, and field blank samplesare used to detect such recognize that for each spill incident you must use your professional judgment regardingwhere and how to collect samples, to install monitoring wells, and the like. Physicallimitations, such as buildings, roads, or property boundaries, and the urgency of the situationwill also influence your ability to follow good QA/QC PROCEDURES . Strict adherence to dataquality requirements under emergency conditions may be much less important than respondingto the emergency.

8 While we encourage you to use professional judgment in responding to eachspill, keep in mind that collecting, analyzing, and recording data and information in accordancewith good QA/QC practices is an important goal of the aspect of QA/QC not covered in this manual is the QA/QC responsibility of the analyticallaboratories that you or a PRP/RP may use. The contractor laboratories we retain are requiredcontractually to follow the analytical methods and QA/QC PROCEDURES defined by the Protection Agency (EPA) and the State Department of Health (DOH). Noother methods are to be substituted unless these changes have been approved by BSPR. To beapproved to conduct QA/QC analysis for BSPR, laboratories must acceptably perform inproficiency tests, which will result in a Certificate of Approval for Laboratory Service issuedNOTES 1 All data generated by contractor laboratories need to be validated before use fordetermining the level and extent of contamination at a spill site.

9 A contractor laboratory shouldsubmit analytical results of collected samples with documentation that specifies the standardoperating PROCEDURES (SOP) for performing the analyses, detection limits of chemicals, andprecision of the DOH. You should also require PRP/RPs to demonstrate and document that the spillresponse contractors and the laboratories they hire also practice adequate The remainder of this section provides QA/QC protocols for sample collection and handlingduring spill response activities. These protocols include the following:#Well drilling and development;#Decontamination of equipment;#Sample containers;#Sample preservation requirements;#QA/QC for sample collection; #Splitting samples with responsible parties and others; and# chain -of- custody objectives in developing these protocols and in seeing that they are followed are to: (1)maintain the physical form and chemical composition of the sample as collected, (2) preventcross-contamination from other sources, and (3) establish a measure of CONTROL over thehandling of samples beginning with proper cleaning of sample containers and ending withanalysis of the sample in the Well Drilling and DevelopmentThe process of drilling and developing ground-water monitoring wells willdisturb the soil and ground-water properties at or near the wells, and candirectly affect the QUALITY of collected soil and/or ground-water samples.

10 In thecontext of QA/QC, it is important to minimize the potential impact on soil andground water during and after the installation of monitoring fluids and additives may introduce contamination into the subsurface,which could persist even after well development is complete and affect thechemical and biological QUALITY of any samples collected subsequently. Usingthe mud rotary drilling method is not recommended, particularly for investigationof organic contaminants. Wherever possible, hollow stem auger, cable tool, orair rotary methods should be used to install soil borings and monitoring fluid rotary methods are employed, use clean water and CONTROL the fluidscarefully to minimize impact on site and sealants are used to close the annular space in the borehole to preventthe infiltration of water and fluid-borne contamination.


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