ARCHIVED REPORTS_2010 ANNUAL REPORT

Home Browse Search

QUALITY CONTROL ELEMENTS NARRATIVE (continued) • Organic blanks will be accepted if compounds detected in the blank are present in the associated samples at levels 10 times the blank level. Inorganic blanks will be accepted if elements detected in the blank are present in the associated samples at 20 times the blank level. • Blanks will be accepted if the compounds/elements detected are not present in any of the associated environmental samples. Failure to meet these Method Blank criteria requires the repreparation and reanalysis of all samples in the QC batch. MATRIX SPIKEIMATRIX SPIKE DUPLICATE A Matrix Spike and a Matrix Spike Duplicate are a pair of environmental samples to which known concentrations of a full or partial set of target analytes are added. The MS/MSD results are determined in the same manner as the results of the environmental sample used to prepare the MS/MSD. The analyte recoveries and the relative percent differences(RPDs)of the recoveries are calculated and used to evaluate the effect of the sample matrix on the analytical results. Due to the potential variability of the matrix of each sample, the MS/MSD results may not have an immediate bearing on any samples except the one spiked; therefore, the associated batch MS/MSD may not reflect the same compounds as the samples contained in the analytical report. When these MS/MSD results fail to meet acceptance criteria,the data is evaluated. If the LCS is within acceptance criteria,the batch is considered acceptable. For certain methods,a Matrix Spike/Sample Duplicate(MS/DU)may be included in the QC batch in place of the MS/MSD. For the parameters(i.e.pH,ignitability)where it is not possible to prepare a spiked sample, a Sample Duplicate may be included in the QC batch. However, a Sample Duplicate is less likely to provide usable precision statistics depending on the likelihood of finding concentrations below the standard reporting limit. When the Sample Duplicate result fails to meet acceptance criteria, the data is evaluated. For certain methods (600 series methods/CWA), a Matrix Spike is required in place of a Matrix Spike/Matrix Spike Duplicate (MS/MSD)or Matrix Spike/Sample Duplicate(MS/DU). The acceptance criteria do not apply to samples that are diluted. SURROGATE COMPOUNDS In addition to these batch-related QC indicators, each organic environmental and QC sample is spiked with surrogate compounds. Surrogates are organic chemicals that behave similarly to the analytes of interest and that are rarely present in the environment. Surrogate recoveries are used to monitor the individual performance of a sample in the analytical system. If surrogate recoveries are biased high in the LCS, LCSD, or the Method Blank, and the associated sample(s) are ND, the batch is acceptable. Otherwise, if the LCS, LCSD, or Method Blank surrogate(s) fail to meet recovery criteria, the entire sample batch is reprepared and reanalyzed. If the surrogate recoveries are outside criteria for environmental samples,the samples will be reprepared and reanalyzed unless there is objective evidence of matrix interference or if the sample dilution is greater than the threshold outlined in the associated method SOP. The acceptance criteria do not apply to samples that are diluted.All other surrogate recoveries will be reported. For the GUMS BNA methods, the surrogate criterion is that two of the three surrogates for each fraction must meet acceptance criteria. The third surrogate must have a recovery of ten percent or greater. For the Pesticide and PCB methods, the surrogate criterion is that one of two surrogate compounds must meet acceptance criteria. The second surrogate must have a recovery of 10%or greater. tea%�t ACCCga7 F TestAmerica Certifications and Approvals: K The laboratory is certified for the analytes listed on the documents below. These are available California(#01144CA), Connecticut(#PH-0590),Florida(#E87225), Illinois(#200004),Kansas(#E10336),Minnesota(#39-999-348), New Jersey(#OH001),New York(#10975),Nevada (#OH-000482008A), Ohio VAP(#CL0024), Pennsylvania (#008), West Virginia(#210), Wisconsin (#999518190),NAVY, ARMY, USDA Soil Permit N:I QA QCI Customer ServiceWNarrative-Combined RCRA—C WA 032609.doc North Canton Page 17 of 137 6