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QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN Proper collection and handling are essential to ensure the quality of samples. Proper documentation of sample collection and handling procedures is essential to verify the integrity of the data. All samples will be collected by experienced Brown and Caldwell field personnel, and placed in containers appropriate to the required analysis. Brass tubes used to collect soil samples will be cleaned by washing in laboratory-grade detergent, rinsing with tap water, and rinsing again with deionized water. All glass containers will have been precleaned by the manufacturer or at the analytical laboratory according to guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Following collection and inspection of soil samples, the ends of the brass tubes will be covered with aluminum foil and plastic caps and sealed with plastic tape. Groundwater samples will be collected in sampling bottles that have caps with Teflon septa. After filling, the bottles will be visually inspected to ensure that no air bubbles remain within. All samples will be labeled and then placed in zip-lock plastic bags. Samples will be stored and transported in a closed ice chest and protected from meltwater. Samples will be stored for analysis no longer than the maximum allowable holding time. Sample identification and chain-of-custody procedures ensure sample integrity and document sample possession from the time of collection to ultimate disposal. Each sample container submitted for analysis will have a label affixed to identify the project number, sampler, date of collection, sample location, the monitoring-well number (if appropriate), and a number unique to that sample. That information will be recorded on the borehole log or in the field records, along with a description of the sample, field measurements, sampling methodology, names of sampling personnel, and other pertinent field observations. A standard Brown and Caldwell chain-of-custody form will be used to document possession of samples from time of collection to arrival at the laboratory. All samples will be submitted to an analytical laboratory that has been certified by the California Department of Health Services. The sample-control officer at the laboratory will verify sample integrity and confirm that samples were collected in the proper container, preserved correctly, and that there is an adequate volume for analysis. If these conditions are met, the sample will be assigned a unique log number by the laboratory for identification throughout analysis and reporting. The log number will be recorded on the chain-of-custody form and in the legally required log book maintained at the laboratory. The sample description, date received, client's name, and other relevant information will also be recorded.