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Arizona
Data Qualifiers
Revision 2.0
11/26/2003
Developed by the Sub-committee of the Arizona Environmental Laboratory
Advisory Committee.
This is an updated list, with some new qualifiers added, some obsolete ones
deleted and some modified, to the Rev 1.0 dated 05/31/2002. The new items are
in bold.
The general
guidelines for use and application of the following data qualifiers can be
found as an attachment to this document (ATTACHMENT A).
Note: Using the Arizona Data Qualifiers does not automatically denote
acceptability to the Regulatory Agency.
Microbiology:
A1 = Too numerous to count.
A2 = Sample incubation period exceeded method requirement.
A3 = Sample incubation period was shorter than method requirement.
A4 = Target organism detected in associated method blank.
A5 = Incubator/water bath temperature was outside method requirements.
A6 = Target organism not detected in associated positive control.
A7 = Micro sample received without adequate headspace.
Method/calibration
blank:
B1 = Target analyte detected in method blank at or above the method reporting
limit.
B2 = Non-target analyte detected in method blank and sample, producing
interference.
B3 = Target analyte detected in calibration blank at or above the method
reporting limit.
B4 = Target analyte detected in blank at/above method acceptance criteria.
B5 = Target analyte detected in method blank at or above the method reporting
limit, but below trigger level or MCL.
B6 = Target analyte detected in calibration blank at or above the method
reporting limit, but below trigger level or MCL.
B7 = Target analyte detected in method blank at or above method reporting
limit. Concentration found in the sample was 10 times above the concentration
found in the method blank.
Confirmation:
C1 = Confirmatory analysis not performed as required by the method.
C2 = Confirmatory analysis not performed. Confirmation of analyte
presence established by site historical data.
C3 = Qualitative confirmation performed. See case narrative.
C4 = Confirmatory analysis was past holding time.
C5 = Confirmatory analysis was past holding time. Original result not
confirmed.
C6 = Sample RPD between the primary and confirmatory analysis exceeded 40%.
Per EPA Method 8000B, the higher value was reported as there was no obvious
chromatographic interference.
C7 = Sample RPD between the primary and confirmatory analysis exceeded 40%.
Per EPA Method 8000B, the lower value was reported due to apparent
chromatographic interference.
Dilution:
D1 = Sample required dilution due to matrix. interference. See case
narrative.
D2 = Sample required dilution due to high concentration of target analyte.
D3 = Sample dilution required due to insufficient sample.
D4 = Minimum reporting level (MRL) adjusted to reflect sample amount received
and analyzed.
Estimated
concentration:
E1 = Concentration estimated. Analyte exceeded calibration range. Reanalysis
not possible due to insufficient sample.
E2 = Concentration estimated. Analyte exceeded calibration range. Reanalysis
not performed due to sample matrix.
E3 = Concentration estimated. Analyte exceeded calibration range. Reanalysis
not performed due to holding time requirements.
E4 = Concentration estimated. Analyte was detected below laboratory minimum
reporting level (MRL).
E5 = Concentration estimated. Analyte was detected below laboratory minimum
reporting level (MRL), but not confirmed by alternate analysis.
E6 = Concentration estimated. Internal standard recoveries did not meet method
acceptance criteria.
E7 = Concentration estimated. Internal standard recoveries did not meet
laboratory acceptance criteria.
E8 = Analyte reported to MDL per project specification. Target analyte was
not detected in the sample.
Hold time:
H1 = Sample analysis performed past holding time. See case narrative.
H2 = Initial analysis within holding time. Reanalysis for the required
dilution was past holding time.
H3 = Sample was received and analyzed past holding time.
H4 = Sample was extracted past required extraction holding time, but analyzed
within analysis holding time. See case narrative.
BOD:
K1 = The sample dilutions set-up for the BOD analysis did not meet the oxygen
depletion criteria of at least 2 mg/L. Any reported result is an estimated
value.
K2 = The sample dilutions set up for the BOD analysis did not meet the
criteria of a residual dissolved oxygen of at least 1 mg/L. Any reported
result is an estimated value.
K3 = The seed depletion was outside the method acceptance limits.
K4 = The seed depletion was outside the method and laboratory
acceptance limits. The reported result is an estimated value.
K5 = The dilution water D.O. depletion was > 0.2 mg/L.
K6 = Glucose/glutamic acid BOD was below method acceptance criteria.
K7 = A discrepancy between the BOD and COD results has been verified by
reanalysis of the sample for COD.
K8= Glucose/glutamic acid BOD was above method acceptance levels.
Laboratory
fortified blank/blank spike:
L1 = The associated blank spike recovery was above laboratory acceptance
limits. See case narrative.
L2 = The associated blank spike recovery was below laboratory acceptance
limits. See case narrative.
L3 = The associated blank spike recovery was above method acceptance limits. See
case narrative.
L4 = The associated blank spike recovery was below method acceptance limits. See
case narrative.
Note: The L1, L2, L3 & L4 footnotes need to be added to all
corresponding analytes for a sample.
Matrix
spike:
M1 = Matrix spike recovery was high, the method control sample recovery was
acceptable.
M2 = Matrix spike recovery was low, the method control sample recovery was
acceptable.
M3 = The accuracy of the spike recovery value is reduced since the analyte
concentration in the sample is disproportionate to spike level. The method
control sample recovery was acceptable.
M4 = The analysis of the spiked sample required a dilution such that the spike
concentration was diluted below the reporting limit. The method control sample
recovery was acceptable.
M5 = Analyte concentration was determined by the method of standard addition (MSA).
M6= Matrix spike recovery was high. Data reported per ADEQ policy 0154.000.
M7= Matrix spike recovery was low. Data reported per ADEQ policy 0154.000.
General:
N1 = See case narrative.
N2 = See corrective action report.
N3 = The analysis meets all method requirements. See case narrative.
Sample
quality:
Q1 = Sample integrity was not maintained. See case narrative.
Q2 = Sample received with head space.
Q3 = Sample received with improper chemical preservation.
Q4 = Sample received and analyzed without chemical preservation.
Q5 = Sample received with inadequate chemical preservation, but preserved by
the laboratory.
Q6 = Sample was received above recommended temperature.
Q7 = Sample inadequately dechlorinated.
Q8 = Insufficient sample received to meet method QC requirements. Batch
QC requirements satisfyies ADEQ policies 0154 and
0155.
Q9 = Insufficient sample received to meet method QC requirements.
Q10 = Sample received in inappropriate sample container.
Q11 = Sample is heterogeneous. Sample homogeneity could not be readily
achieved using routine laboratory practices.
Duplicates:
R1 = RPD exceeded the method control limit. See case narrative.
R2 = RPD exceeded the laboratory control limit. See case narrative.
R3 = Sample RPD between the primary and confirmatory analysis exceeded
40%. Per EPA Method 8000B, the higher value was reported.
R4 = MS/MSD RPD exceeded the method control limit. Recovery met acceptance
criteria.
R5 = MS/MSD RPD exceeded the laboratory control limit. Recovery met acceptance
criteria.
R6 = LFB/LFBD RPD exceeded the method control limit. Recovery met acceptance
criteria.
R7 = LFB/LFBD RPD exceeded the laboratory control limit. Recovery met
acceptance criteria.
R8 = Sample RPD exceeded the method control limit.
R9 = Sample RPD exceeded the laboratory control limit.
R10 = Sample RPD between the primary and confirmatory analysis exceeded
40%. Per EPA Method 8000B, the lower value was reported due to apparent
chromatographic problems.
R11 = The RPD calculation for MS/MSD does not provide useful information
due to the varying sample weights when Encore samplers/methanol field
preserved samples are used.
Surrogate:
S1 = Surrogate recovery was above laboratory acceptance limits, but within
method acceptance limits.
S2 = Surrogate recovery was above laboratory and method acceptance
limits.
S3 = Surrogate recovery was above laboratory acceptance limits, but within
method acceptance limits. No target analytes were detected in the sample.
S4 = Surrogate recovery was above laboratory and method acceptance limits. No
target analytes were detected in the sample.
S5 = Surrogate recovery was below laboratory acceptance limits, but within
method acceptance limits.
S6 = Surrogate recovery was below laboratory and method acceptance limits.
Reextraction and/or reanalysis confirms low recovery caused by matrix effect.
S7 = Surrogate recovery was below laboratory and method acceptance limits.
Unable to confirm matrix effect.
S8 = The analysis of the sample required a dilution such that the surrogate concentration
was diluted below the method acceptance criteria recovery
calculation does not provide any useful information. The method control
sample recovery was acceptable.
S9 = The analysis of the sample required a dilution such that the
surrogate concentration was diluted below the laboratory acceptance criteria.
The method control sample recovery was acceptable.
S10 = Surrogate recovery was above laboratory and method acceptance limits.
See Case narrative.
S11= Surrogate recovery was high. Data reported per ADEQ policy 0154.000.
S12= Surrogate recovery was low. Data reported per ADEQ policy 0154.000.
Method/analyte
discrepancies:
T1 = Method approved promulgated by EPA, but not yet
licensed by ADHS at this time.
T2 = Cited ADHS licensed method does not contain this analyte as part of
method compound list.
T3 = Method not promulgated either by EPA or ADHS.
T4 = Tentatively identified compound. Concentration is estimated and based on
the closest internal standard.
Calibration
verification:
V1 = CCV recovery was above method acceptance limits. This target analyte was
not detected in the sample.
V2 = CCV recovery was above method acceptance limits. This target analyte was
detected in the sample. The sample could not be reanalyzed due to insufficient
sample.
V3 = CCV recovery was above method acceptance limits. This target analyte was
detected in the sample, but the sample was not reanalyzed. See case narrative.
V4 = CCV recovery was below method acceptance limits. The sample could not be
reanalyzed due to insufficient sample.
V5 = CCV recovery after a group of samples was above acceptance limits. This
target analyte was not detected in the sample. Acceptable per EPA Method
8000B.
V6= Data reported from one-point calibration criteria per ADEQ policy
0155.000.
V7= Calibration verification recovery was above the method control limit for
this analyte, however the average % difference or % drift for all the analytes
met method criteria.
V8= Calibration verification recovery was below the method control limit for
this analyte, however the average % difference or % drift for all the analytes
met method criteria.
Calibration:
W1= The % RSD for this compound was above 15% 20%. The
average % RSD for all compounds in the calibration met the 15%
20% criteria as specified in EPA method 8000B.
W2= The % RSD for this compound was above 15%. The average % RSD for all
compounds in the calibration met the 15% criteria as specified in EPA method
8260B/8270C.
ATTACHMENT A
“Guidance on the Usage of Data Qualifiers”
These standardized data qualifiers are for use in qualifying
analytical result for compliance samples in Arizona to represent events that
occurred during analysis.
The technical subcommittee has endeavored to develop qualifiers that are
succinct and narrow in scope to eliminate broad or multiple interpretations
when assessing the impact on data. It must also be noted that due to the
specialized nature of the individual qualifiers, it is likely that more than
one qualifier may be needed in order to accurately represent the data.
Note: Using the Arizona Data Qualifiers does not automatically denote
acceptability to the Regulatory Agency.
Microbiology:
None.
Method/calibration blank:
Apply appropriate qualifier to affected analyte in the blank if target analyte
is not detected at > RL in the samples. If analytes are detected, then all
corresponding analytes for the associated samples should also be qualified.
Confirmation:
For methods that require qualitative confirmation. C3 applies to methods that
require quantitative confirmation.
Dilution:
If all analytes are reported from the diluted sample, apply qualifier to the
entire sample. Otherwise apply qualifier to each analyte that required
dilution.
Estimated concentration:
Appropriate qualifier must be used for any analyte result reported outside the
calibration range. Affects data reported outside the calibration range or down
to the MDL. E8 is only required if additional clarification is necessary.
Hold time:
Qualify samples appropriately when method extraction and/ or analysis holding
time have been exceeded.
BOD:
Qualifiers K4, K5, K6 & K8 indicate situations that may impact all results
in an analytical run and should be used to qualify all affected samples as
well as any affected quality control samples when reported. K3 was deleted
because if the seed depletion was out, then the situation must be explained in
the case narrative.
Laboratory fortified blank/blank spike:
Appropriate qualifier must be applied to the affected analytes in the
Laboratory fortified blank/blank spike and to all corresponding analytes in
the associated samples.
Matrix spike:
Appropriate qualifier must be applied to the affected analytes in the matrix
spike and should also be added to all corresponding analytes in the associated
spiked sample. If a batch spike recovery is outside of the acceptable range,
it is permissible to only flag the sample that was spiked and not the other
samples in the batch. As required in the Arizona Adopted Rules A.A.C.
R9-14-617.F, clients must always be informed if the batch QC result is
unacceptable whether one of their samples was spiked or not. The laboratory
can choose how the unacceptable QC is reported to the client (e.g., cover
letter or flag).
The ADEQ policy 0154.000 can be accessed at http://www.azdeq.gov/function/business/download/spike8.pdf
General:
Use for events that cannot be described by the approved data qualifiers.
Sample quality:
Flag samples with appropriate qualifier when sample quality may be potentially
impacted or when method requirements were not met.
The ADEQ policy 0154.000 can be accessed at http://www.azdeq.gov/function/business/download/spike8.pdf
The ADEQ policy 0155.000 can be accessed at
http://www.azdeq.gov/function/business/download/one_pt3.pdf
Duplicates:
For use with sample, matrix spike, LFB and LCS duplicates. Qualify all
affected analytes. For MS/MSD or sample duplicates qualify only the original
source sample.
Surrogate:
Qualify surrogates appropriately when they do not meet criteria. Surrogate
failures in quality control samples will most likely require additional
narration. S11 & S12 are used to qualify sample surrogates and only in
cases where the Laboratory Fortified Blank/LCS has acceptable surrogate
recoveries.
Method/analyte discrepancies:
For use with methods or analytes that are not currently approved under the
Environmental Laboratory Licensure Rules.
Calibration Verification:
Appropriate qualifier must be applied to all affected analytes in any samples
associated with the calibration verification.
The ADEQ policy 0155.000 can be accessed at
http://www.azdeq.gov/function/business/download/one_pt3.pdf
V7 and V8 are applicable to 8000 series methods only.
Calibration:
Any analytes reported utilizing a calibration per ‘W1’ and ‘W2’ data
qualifiers must be qualified per method requirements. |
