Quality Assurance and Quality Control
The Remediation Standard Regulations (RSRs) include numeric criteria used to determine if a potential risk to human health or the environment may exist. The results of analyses performed on environmental media (e.g. soil, water, air) are used to determine if remediation is needed to minimize risk to human health and the environment. Because of the complex nature of environmental media, limitations of analytical methods, characteristics of analytes, and human error, the results of environmental analysis may contain an element of uncertainty and, in some cases, may be significantly biased. Therefore, data may not always be representative of the accurate concentrations of the analytes in the environmental media. Thus, an evaluation of the quality of the analytical data in relation to its intended use is important in order for the environmental professional to make decisions which are supported by data of known and sufficient quality. Therefore, it is important that both environmental professionals and analytical laboratories implement Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) methodologies.The use of QA/QC parameters provide a level of confidence in the quality of the acquired data. DEEP refers to this level of data confidence as “Reasonable Confidence”. “Reasonable confidence” is achieved when the laboratory has followed the Reasonable Confidence Protocols (RCPs), has described non-conformances, if any, and has provided adequate documentation for a particular dataset to allow the environmental professional or responsible party (i.e., data users) to make judgements regarding data quality for its intended purpose. The concept of Reasonable Confidence and the Reasonable Confidence Protocols are further supported by RCSA section 22a-133k-1(h)(1)(B).
DEEP is seeking feedback on the following, updated draft Reasonable Confidence Protocols for Laboratory Analytical Methods. Please send comments to Veronica Tanguay and Allison Forrest-Laiuppa by June 16, 2023.
Method 6010 Trace Metals ICP-AES (redline version)
Method 6020 Trace Metals ICPMS (redline version)
Method 7000 Metals FLAAS/GFAAS (redline version)
Method 7196 Hexavalent Chromium (redline version)
Method 7470/7471 Mercury CVAAS (redline version)
Method 8081 Pesticides (redline version)
Method 8082 PCBs (redline version)
Method 8151 Chlorinated Herbicides (redline version)
Method 8260 Volatile Organics (redline version)
Method 8270 Semivolatile Organics (redline version)
Method 9010/9012/9014 Total Cyanide (redline version)
Method TO-13 PAHs in Air (redline version)
Method TO-17 Volatile Organics (redline version)
Method APH Air-Phase Petroleum Hydrocarbons (redline version)
Method EPH Extractable Petroleum Hydrocarbons (redline version)
Method ETPH Extractable Petroleum Hydrocarbons (redline version)
Method VPH Volatile Petroleum Hydrocarbons (redline version) Data users have the option to use non-RCP analytical methods and/or methods that have no published RCP. However, it is important that data users consider the resources that may be required to demonstrate an equivalency with the RCPs. Pursuant to RCSA 22a-133k-1(h)(1)(C), when a non-RCP method is used for demonstrating compliance, the methods and/or protocol must be submitted to DEEP for review and evaluation. DEEP has provided a Demonstration of Equivalency form in the document list below that may be used to provide the necessary information including the laboratory-generated QC data that support the accuracy, precision, and sensitivity of the data.
To assist responsible parties and environmental professionals in evaluating the quality of analytical data in relation to its intended use, DEEP is providing the following guidance documents:
QA/QC Documents
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Laboratory Quality Assurance Quality Control Reasonable Confidence Protocols - describes how environmental professionals should use the Reasonable Confidence Protocols to assure data is of known quality.
- RCP Lab Analysis QAQC Certification Form - must not be altered. The primary purpose of the RCP Certification Form is to standardize the questions that the laboratory must answer when determining if a data set meets the requirements for Reasonable Confidence.
- Project Communication Form
- Reasonable Confidence Protocol Equivalency Determination Form
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Laboratory Quality Control Assurance and Quality Control, Data Quality Assessment and Data Usability Evaluation Guidance Document - describes the process for data quality assessment and evaluation to ensure data is suitable for its intended use.
- DQA Worksheet 1 from Appendix D-2
- DQA Worksheet 2 from Appendix D-3
- DUE Worksheet from Appendix I-2
- Additional Worksheets: RCP and DQA Worksheet 1 / RCP and DQA Worksheet 2
- Importance of Communication Between the Environmental Professional and the Laboratory During the DUE/DQA Process – describes effective communication between environmental professionals and laboratory personnel to achieve data quality objectives.
Reasonable Confidence Protocols for Laboratory Analytical Methods
Method 1311 TCLP - December 2006
Method 1312 SPLP - December 2006
Method 6010 Trace Metals - July 2006
Method 6020 Trace Metals - July 2006
Method 7000 Metals - July 2006
Method 7196 Hexavalent Chromium - July 2006
Method 7470/7471 Mercury - July 2006
Method 8021 Volatile Organics - July 2006 This method will be discontinued.
Method 8081 Pesticides - July 2006
Method 8082 PCBs - July 2006
Method 8151 Chlorinated Herbicides - July 2006
Method 8260 Volatile Organics - July 2006
Method 8270 Semivolatile Organics - July 2006
Method 9010/9012/9014 Total Cyanide - July 2006
Method TO-13 PAHs in air - December 2006
Method TO-15 Volatile Organics in air - December 2006
Method TO-17 Volatile Organics - December 2006
Method ETPH Extractable Petroleum Hydrocarbons - July 2006
Method APH Air-Phase Petroleum Hydrocarbons - December 2014
Appendix 3, APH Data Report Form
Method EPH Extractable Petroleum Hydrocarbons - May 2009
Appendix 1, EPH Data Report Form
Method VPH Volatile Petroleum Hydrocarbons - May 2009
Appendix 1, VPH Data Report Form
Characterization of Petroleum Releases
See analytical methods used to characterize petroleum releases for additional information.
Questions or Comments?
Questions or comments regarding quality assurance and quality control may be directed to Veronica Tanguay or Allison Forrest-Laiuppa.
Content Last Updated April 13, 2023