Technical Support

QA ACTIVITIES/INFORMATION

The Emission Measurement Center's (EMC's) Quality Assurance (QA) Team has been very active over the past few years trying to increase QA activities within the stationary source program. In September of 1996, the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) received approval of the Quality Management Plan (QMP) which describes how QA would operate within OAQPS. One responsibility of the EMC QA Team is to make sure all stationary source work has proper QA associated with it. With the divestment of QA support from the Office of Research and Development (ORD), the EMC QA Team has acquired some additional responsibilities including: the Stationary Source Compliance Audit Program (SSCAP), Volume III of the QA Handbooks, and Method Development and Field Validation work.

In order to coordinate QA activities and pass on important information about QA to the regional, state, and the local agencies, the EMC QA Team holds a monthly conference call the first Tuesday of each month to discuss these issues. If you would like more information about this conference call or further QA information, please contact any member of the EMC QA Team. If you are interested in any of the QA Requirement Documents or Guidance Documents provided by the Quality Assurance Division (QAD) in ORD, you can find them at the following URL: www.epa.gov//quality1/qa_docs.html

EMC QA TEAM MEMBERS

Gary McAlister (919) 541-1062 or by E-Mail mcalister.gary@epa.gov
Mike Toney (919) 541-5247 or by E-Mail toney.mike@epa.gov
Candace Sorrell (919) 541-1064 or by E-Mail sorrell.candace@epa.gov

QUALITY ASSURANCE PROJECT PLANS

Since 1997, the Agency has required that a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) be written for any activity that involves an environmental data operation (EDO), as documented in EPA QA/R-5: "EPA Requirements for Quality Assurance Project Plans for Environmental Data Operations". An additional source of information provided by the Quality Assurance Division (QAD) to assist with writing a QAPP is document EPA QA/G-5: "EPA Guidance for Quality Assurance Project Plans". Both of these documents and other important QA materials can be found on the web at the following URL http://www.epa.gov/quality .

Over the past few years, individuals that work with the Agency have become very proficient when writing QAPPs. There are still many groups, though, that have not had to produce such documentation. The following file qa-plan.pdf is an example of the type of content expected (i.e., level of detail) in an acceptable QAPP. Many different formats and styles have been followed that are equally acceptable. This file is being made available only as an example of the type/level of information expected.

QUALITY ASSURANCE HANDBOOKS

The last two versions of the Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems Volume III, Stationary Source Specific Methods (QA Handbook) supplement the procedures published in the Federal Register. The most recent version of the QA Handbook, which was published in 1994, covers 78 stationary source test methods published in 40CFR60 and 40CFR61 but provides limited details. The prior version, which the latest supplement was published around 1988 only covers 20 test methods but provides substantial detail. As such, we consider these documents to be complementary and the information in each is useful to persons engaged in conducting or reviewing stationary source test programs.

We have divided the 1994 version of the QA Handbook into many small files. The files include Part I of the handbook which provides an overview of the content of source test plans and source test reports. Part II of the handbook describes the salient features of the test methods. A directory of Part II provides linkages between the 78 test methods covered and the related files. While information published in this handbook was current in 1994, many source test methods covered in the handbook have been updated. As such, the reader should not rely solely on the contents of this handbook.

We have also divided the 1977 version of the QA Handbook into a few large files. The Table of Contents for this handbook provides linkages to the 20 methods covered. As with the 1994 version of the QA Handbook, the test methods covered in this document have been updated since publication. Readers should use this document as a source of background information and detailed concepts required for the proper planning, conduct and evaluation of source test programs.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE 1977 AND 1994 QA HANDBOOKS

In early 1988, EPA ceased supplementing the 1977 version of the Handbook and began preparing a more concise but updated version of the QA Handbook for stationary sources (published in September 1994). Although the number of source test methods increased from 20 to 78, the handbook was made more concise. Removing the copy of the original test method reduced the size and promotes the use of the most current test method as published in the Federal Register. The handbook was further reduced in size by removing duplication between methods. Providing only the information on the features that make the test method unique was the third change, reducing the size of the handbook further. While reducing the volume of information required to properly conduct and assess the quality of a source emissions test did not detract from the document's usefulness by staff experienced in these activities, much of the detail and rationale that is useful to less experienced staff was no longer available in a single document. As a result, we are providing access to both versions of Volume III. Users are cautioned that neither of these documents have been updated since they were published and that many of the test methods have been revised and program responsibilities changed. Users are also advised that while these documents present procedures and information that are reflective of good practice, the guidance provided in these documents has no legal standing unless the CFR specifically requires the tester to follow Volume III.

ELECTRONIC STACK TESTING AND ASSESSMENT PROJECT

The Electronic Reporting Tool (ERT) , a Microsoft Access desktop application, is an electronic alternative for paper source test reports documenting EPA's emissions measurement methods for stationary sources. The test methods supported by ERT Version 3 include the following: Methods 1 through 4, 3A, 5, 6C, 7E, 10, 17, 25A, 26A, 29, 101A, 201A, and 202. Also included are Conditional Test Methods 39 and 40. The ERT replaces the: (1) time-intensive manual preparation and transcription of stationary source emissions test plans and reports currently performed by contractors, and (2) time-intensive manual quality assurance valuations and documentation performed by State agencies. The ERT provides a format that:

Highlights the need to document the key information and procedures required by the existing EPA Federal Test Methods;
Facilitates coordination among the source, the test contractor, and the regulatory agency in planning and preparing for the emissions test;
Provides for consistent criteria to quantitatively characterize the quality of the data collected during the emissions test;
Standardizes the reports; and
Provides for future capabilities to electronically exchange information in the reports with facility, State or Federal data systems.

In addition to improving the content and quality of source emissions test reports, the ERT should:

Reduce the workload associated with manual transcription of information and data contained in the report;
Reduce the resources required to store and access the reports; and
Reduce redundant efforts in using the data for multiple purposes.

EPA 2003 BLIND AUDIT OF PROTOCOL CALIBRATION GASES FOR CEMS

In the 1980s and 1990s EPA conducted a series of performance audits of EPA Protocol gases sold by specialty gas producers. The program was discontinued in 1998. Because there had not been an audit in 7 years and EPA was concerned that gas quality may have declined, EPA performed an audit in 2003. EPA audited 42 source-level, tri-blend, EPA Protocol calibration gas cylinders from a total of 14 major gas vendors nationwide. The cylinders contain blends of SO2, NO, and CO2 in a N2 balance. The gas concentrations are (1) 50 ppm SO2, 50 ppm NO, and 5% CO2; (2) 500 ppm SO2, 400 ppm NO, and 12% CO2; and (3) 1000 ppm SO2, 900 ppm NO, and 18% CO2. The cylinders were purchased by a third party so that the gas vendors did not know that EPA was analyzing the cylinders. The purpose of the audit was to help vendors improve gas quality, and to help calibration gas buyers identify good gas vendors. The overall failure rate was 11% on a gas component basis, and 57% on a vendor basis. The 2003 audit has provided useful information to help establish an ongoing EPA Protocol gas audit program.

To arrive at final results, EPA overcame several problems. We initially used an API hemiluminescence monitor to measure the NO component in each cylinder. Interference with the NO readings caused by the CO2 component (quenching effect), however, forced us to discard these results. We then obtained a UV NO analyzer to repeat the analyses. However, for the high level NO cylinders, we relied on our FTIR results instead of UV because the AMETEK UV NOx analyzer was set up for 0-500 ppm instead of 0-1000 ppm. For high level CO2 cylinders, we relied on the NDIR results because there was not enough high level CO2 SRM or NTRM to use as a reference spectra for the FTIR. We found that SO2 in the cylinders was interfering with the NO readings from the AMETEK UV analyzer. A correction was developed by injecting the analyzer with SO2 in N2 and observing the effect on NO readings.

Summary tables of EPA's results are available at: www.epa.gov/airmarkets/monitoring then scroll to "EPA 2003 Blind Audit of Protocol Calibration Gases for CEMS".

The EPA Traceability Protocol for Assay and Certification of Gaseous Calibration Standards (Section 1-4 and and spreadsheets to support the protocol Appendices) is available at: www.epa.gov/ttn/emc/news.html. Then scroll to "EPA Traceability Protocol".

AUDIT PROGRAM

On January 1, 1998, the Emission Measurement Center (EMC) took over responsibility of the Stationary Source Compliance Audit Program (SSCAP), after a long history of the program being run out of the National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL) in the Office of Research and Development (ORD). The Dioxin Program, which was being run out of another group within NERL, was also transferred to the EMC, so that all audit samples could be provided from one central location. The SSCAP has been redesigned to increase the use of audit samples during compliance tests. These changes have been made at the request of the Regional Offices, State Agencies, and Local Agencies whom we have conference calls with on a monthly basis. The agendas and minutes to all of these conference calls can be obtained by contacting any of the EMC Quality Assurance Team members listed above. A new agenda will be drafted at least one week in advance of each conference call, which occurs the first Tuesday in every month from 1:30-3:30 P.M. (EST)

The EMC (QA) Team has recently started using an electronic Stationary Source Audit Program (SSAP) database. Federal, State, and Local Agency personnel should now use this database to electronically order audit samples. This allows us to operate the SSAP in a more efficient and effective manner. Another benefit of the dabase is that it compiles the results of the audits in several report formats to help the QA Team and Agency staff to see the results of a particular audit, how a particular testing company or analytical company is doing historically with their audits, and more. To assure that the audit results are reported electronically to the database, we are no longer providing target acceptable ranges with any of the audit samples. The person who requested the audit sample must go into the database to report the results and receive a pass/fail notice. For security, access to the database is limited to registered Federal, State, or Local Agency users. All registration requests should be submitted to Candace Sorrell at sorrell.candace@epa.gov . The request needs to provide your name, non-P.O. Box address, Agency affiliation, phone number and e-mail address. You will get further instructions via return E-mail.

Currently, the following table shows the status of the audit materials availability

Method	Compounds	Availability
6	Sulfur Dioxide	Available
7	Nitrogen Oxide	Available
8	Sulfur Dioxide	Available
8	Sulfuric Acid Mist	Available
12	Lead	Available
13A	Flouride	Available
13B	Flouride	Available
18	Benzene	Not Available
18	Chloroform	Not Available
18	Toluene	Not Available
18	Methylene Chloride	Not Available
18	Vinyl Choride	Not Available
18	Chlorobenzene	Not Available
18	Methyl Ethyl Ketone	Not Available
18	Carbon Tetrachloride	Not Available
18	Tetrachloroethylene	Not Available
18	Ethyl Benzene	Not Available
18	Epichlorhydrin	Not Available
18	Acetaldehyde	Not Available
18	Hexane	Not Available
18	Acetic Acid	Not Available
18	1,4 Dioxane	Not Available
18	Methyl Acetate	Not Available
18	Xylenes	Not Available
18	Methanol	Not Available
18	Acetone	Not Available
18	Carbon Disulfide	Not Available
18	1,3 Butadiene	Not Available
18	Trichloroethylene	Not Available
18	Acrolein	Not Available
18	Methane	Not Available
23	Dioxin	Available
24 (for Solvent Based Paints	VOC	Available
24 (for Inks)	VOC	Available
25	VOC	Available
26	Hydrogen Chloride	Available
26A	Hydrogen Chloride	Available
29	Antimony	Available
29	Arsenic	Available
29	Barium	Available in Aqueous Solution Only
29	Beryllium	Available
29	Cadmium	Available
29	Chromium	Available
29	Cobalt	Available
29	Copper	Available
29	Lead	Available
29	Manganese	Available
29	Mercury	Available
29	Nickel	Available
29	Selenium	Available
29	Silver	Available
29	Thallium	Available
29	Zinc	Available in Aqueous Solution Only
101A	Mercury	Available
108	Arsenic	Available
315	Methylene Chloride Extractable Organic Matter	Available

Additional information pertaining to the methods can be found in the frequently asked questions section Facts Section of this web site. This section contains the Test Methods Numbering System, Guideline Documents, Information Documents, and other frequently asked questions.

In addition to these resources you may search the EMC web site for keywords contained in the documents included on our home page.

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