Quality Assurance in the Mid-Atlantic Region
Mid-Atlantic Environmental Science Center Quality Assurance Quick Finder |
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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