Quality Assurance in the Mid-Atlantic Region

Mid-Atlantic Environmental Science Center Quality Assurance Quick Finder
Home Data Validation	Field Analytical Methods Policies & Guidance	Quality Assurance Project Plans Quality Management Plans

National & Other Region's Information

On this page

Quality Assurance
Definitions
Region 3 Quality Policy
The Quality System Pie
Quality Assurance Staff Expertise
Contacts

Quality Assurance

The primary goal of the Region’s Quality Management System (a.k.a. quality assurance program) is to ensure that environmental data activities performed by or for the Region will result in the production of data that is of adequate quality to support the Agency’s scientific decisions or actions. In order for this data to be used with a high degree of certainty, its quality must be known and documented. This goal will be achieved by ensuring that appropriate resources are made available and proper procedures followed throughout the planning, implementation and evaluation phases of each environmental project.

Definitions

Environmental information or data is defined as any measurements or information that describe environmental processes, location, or conditions; ecological or health effects and consequences; or the performance of environmental technology. For EPA Region 3, environmental information also includes data compiled from other sources such as data bases or literature or produced from models.

If your project involves environmental data, as defined here, you need QA.

Region 3 Quality Policy

It is Region 3 policy that all environmental data and information collected and/or used in the process of decision-making are of known quality, suitable for its intended use, with all aspects of collection and analysis thoroughly documented; such documentation being verifiable and defensible. This policy applies to all data collected for environmental operations, including environmental technology activities, performed directly by or for the Region. This includes all Federal, State, Tribal and local partners under interagency and financial assistance agreements; contractors funded by EPA; regulated entities and potentially responsible parties.

The Quality System PIE

P = Planning — Development of sampling network design, generation of appropriate data quality indicators, selection of measurement and analytical methodologies, standard operating procedures

I = Implementation — Just do what you planned!

E = Evaluation — Use of review, audit and assessment tools to determine whether environmental data operations comply with EPA Quality Assurance Policy

Quality Assurance Staff Expertise

QA document preparation and review (e.g., Quality Management Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, Sampling Plans, etc.);
Expert assistance on QA/QC policies, procedures, and requirements;
Quality system and technical assessments of laboratory and field activities
(e.g., audits);
Assistance with environmental project planning;
Review/advice on quality requirements for contracts, grants, and interagency
agreements;
Selection of laboratory and field analytical methods;
Data validation and usability;
Data interpretation and assessment; and
Training in all of the above

Contacts

Environmental Science Center's Quality Assurance Mailbox

R3 ESC-QA (R3 ESC-QA@epa.gov)

Regional QA Manager

Terry Simpson (simpson.terry@epa.gov)
410-305-2739
Fax: 410-305-3095

Region 3 QA Staff in Philadelphia, Pa.

Charlie Jones (jones.charlie@epa.gov)
215-814-2734
U.S. EPA Region 3
1650 Arch St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029

Region 3 QA Staff in Fort Meade, Md.

Mike Mahoney (mahoney.mike@epa.gov)
410-305-2631
Ed Messer (messer.ed@epa.gov)
410-305-2744
U.S. EPA
Environmental Science Center
701 Mapes Road
Ft. Meade, Maryland 20755-5350

Division/Office Quality Assurance Coordinators

Air Protection Division

Chris Pilla (pilla.chris@epa.gov)
215-814-3438

Chesapeake Bay Program Office

Rich Batiuk (batiuk.richard@epa.gov)
410-267-5731
Mary Ellen Ley (ley.mary@epa.gov)
410-267-5750

Environmental Assessment and Innovation Division

Charlie Jones (jones.charlie@epa.gov)
215-814-2734

Hazardous Site Cleanup Division

Jeff Tuttle (tuttle.jeffrey@epa.gov)
215-814-3236

Land and Chemicals Division

David Friedman (friedman.davidm@epa.gov)
215-814-3395

Office of Enforcement, Compliance and Environmental Justice

Jose Jimenez (jimenez.jose@epa.gov)
215-814-2148

Office of Policy Management

Norman Rodriguez (rodriguez.norman@epa.gov)
215-814-5274

Water Protection Division

Larry Merrill (merrill.larry@epa.gov)
215-814-5452

Mid-Atlantic Region | Mid-Atlantic Env'l Assessment and Innovation | Mid-Atlantic Env'l Science Center