Revised Data Validation Guidance 12/96

Overview

Part I: Data Validation Manual: The Data Quality System

• DQO Summary Form
• ORDA/IRDA Form
• Telephone Log or Regional/Laboratory Communication Form
• Data Validation Worksheets
• Chain-of-Custody Form
• Traffic Report

Attachment M
(1 p., 25 KB, about PDF)

Attachment N
(1 p., 25 KB, about PDF)

Part II - Volatile/Semivolatile Data Validation Functional Guidelines

Part III - Pesticide/PCB Data Validation Functional Guidelines

Fact Sheet

The revised data validation guidance, the Region I, EPA-NE Data Validation Functional Guidelines for Evaluating Environmental Analyses, was written by the QA Unit Staff to formalize technical direction given since the original Region I Functional Guidelines were implemented in 1988.

Data validation is necessary to ensure that only data of known and documented quality are used in making environmental decisions. As such, this guidance serves as a standard operating procedure that documents our Region's commitment to using only scientifically defensible data in environmental decision-making, it documents compliance with Headquarters' directives and guidance, and it ensures that data generated by or for the region are evaluated consistently.

The "Data Validation Manual: The Data Quality System", Part I of the document, details:

• Purpose and objectives of data validation
• Describes the Region I three Tier Data Validation system
• Identifies the roles and responsibilities of each of the following regarding project scoping, DQO development, sample scheduling, data validation, data usability and corrective action:
  • EPA personnel
  • EPA contractors
  • States under Cooperative Agreements
  • Other Federal Agencies under Interagency Agreements
  • Other Federal Agencies performing non-Fund lead work
  • Potentially Responsible Parties
• Itemizes the information to be reviewed during data validation
• Specifies the format and components of the Tier I Validation Cover Letter and the Data Validation Report for Tier II and Tier III validations
• Identifies distribution requirements for the Tier I Validation Cover Letter and Tier II/III Data Validation Reports

Parts II, III and IV are the specific Functional Guideline procedures for evaluating Volatile/Semivolatile organic analyses by GC/MS, Pesticide/PCB organic analyses by GC, and Inorganic analyses by ICP and AA, respectively. Parts II and III will replace the Region I Laboratory Data Validation Functional Guidelines for Evaluating Organics Analyses, 2/01/88 modified 11/01/88. Part IV will replace the Region I Laboratory Data Validation Functional Guidelines for Evaluating Inorganics Analyses, 6/13/88, modified 2/89. For the completion dates of Parts III and IV, contact the person listed below.