The EPA 7-Step DQO Process

1. DQO Training Course Day 2Module 13 The EPA 7-Step DQO Process Step 3 - Identify Inputs Presenter: Sebastian Tindall (40 minutes) (5 minute “stretch” break)

2. Objectives • Identify applicable information/data needed for making the decisions • Determine the quality of information needed • Determine whether the historical/existing data are sufficient to make the decisions or whether new data are required • Determine QC protocols

3. Step 3: Identify Inputs Step 1: State the Problem Step Objective: To identify the informational inputs that will be required to resolve the decision statements identified in Step 2, and to determine which inputs require environmental measurements Step 2: Identify Decisions Step 3: Identify Inputs Step 4: Specify Boundaries Step 5: Define Decision Rules Step 6: Specify Error Tolerances Step 7: Optimize Sample Design

4. Step 3a - Identify Inputs Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Specify Environmental Variables to be Measured List General Sources of Information Decision Statements Continue Step 3 Activities Determine Whether the Information Exists Determine the General Level of Quality Required for the Data Evaluate the Appropriateness of Existing Data: Usability Assessment

5. Step 3a - Identify Inputs Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Specify Environmental Variables to be Measured List General Sources of Information Determine which environmental variables or other information are needed to resolve the decision statement. Decision Statements Continue Step 3 Activities Determine Whether the Information Exists Determine the General Level of Quality Required for the Data Evaluate the Appropriateness of Existing Data: Usability Assessment

6. Step 3a - Identify Inputs Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Specify Environmental Variables to be Measured List General Sources of Information • Ask general questions such as: • “Is information on the physical properties of the media required?” • “Is information on the chemical/radiological characteristics of thematrix needed?” Decision Statements Continue Step 3 Activities Determine Whether the Information Exists Determine the General Level of Quality Required for the Data Evaluate the Appropriateness of Existing Data: Usability Assessment

7. Step 3a - Identify Inputs Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Specify Environmental Variables to be Measured • Examples of Physical Properties: • Soil/Sediment:Air: • - Kd - Temperature • - Hydraulic conductivity - Moisture content • - Porosity - Percent particulate/volume • - Grain-size distribution • Groundwater/Surface Water:Building Materials: • - pH - Density • - Temperature - Compaction • - Electrical conductivity • - Turbidity List General Sources of Information Decision Statements Continue Step 3 Activities Determine Whether the Information Exists Determine the General Level of Quality Required for the Data Evaluate the Appropriateness of Existing Data: Usability Assessment

8. Step 3a - Identify Inputs Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Specify Environmental Variables to be Measured Examples of Chemical / Radiological Properties: Groundwater/Surface Water:Soil/Sediment: - Concentration - Concentration - Activity level - Activity level Air: Building Materials: - Concentration - Concentration - Activity level - Activity level List General Sources of Information Decision Statements Continue Step 3 Activities Determine Whether the Information Exists Determine the General Level of Quality Required for the Data Evaluate the Appropriateness of Existing Data: Usability Assessment

9. Step 3a - Identify Inputs Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Specify Environmental Variables to be Measured List General Sources of Information • Create a list of environmental variables of interest for which • environmental measurements may be required. • Levels of lead, silver, Total Metals, etc. • Levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), etc. • Total Suspended Solids • Temperature, pH, Eh, etc. • Alpha, Beta, Gamma activities Decision Statements Continue Step 3 Activities Determine Whether the Information Exists Determine the General Level of Quality Required for the Data Evaluate the Appropriateness of Existing Data: Usability Assessment

10. Step 3a - Identify Inputs Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Specify Environmental Variables to be Measured List General Sources of Information Decision Statements Continue Step 3 Activities Determine Whether the Information Exists Identify and list the general sources where information on the environmental variables to be measure might exist. Determine the General Level of Quality Required for the Data Evaluate the Appropriateness of Existing Data: Usability Assessment

11. Step 3a - Identify Inputs Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Specify Environmental Variables to be Measured List General Sources of Information • Potential Data Sources: • New data collection • Existing data • Historical records • Scientific literature • Regulatory guidance • Professional judgement • Modeling • Modeling Data Needs: • Scenario(s) - (develop) • Parameters - (develop) • - Values (obtain) • - Ranges (obtain) • Obtain Modeling Inputs: • Old/New environmental • measurements • Scientific literature • Other Decision Statements Continue Step 3 Activities Determine Whether the Information Exists Determine the General Level of Quality Required for the Data Evaluate the Appropriateness of Existing Data: Usability Assessment

12. Field Analytical Methods TRIAD Approach: FAM Toolbox = FAM Matrix • Web Sites: • http://fate.clu-in.org/ • http://www.frtr.gov/site/

13. Step 3a - Identify Inputs Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Specify Environmental Variables to be Measured Identify reports, historical data and list the source and type of information available. List General Sources of Information Decision Statements Continue Step 3 Activities Determine Whether the Information Exists Determine the General Level of Quality Required for the Data Evaluate the Appropriateness of Existing Data: Usability Assessment

14. Step 3a - Identify Inputs Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Specify Environmental Variables to be Measured From Step 2: Consider the human health, ecological, political, cost, and legal consequences of each action when determining the required level of quality. List General Sources of Information Decision Statements Continue Step 3 Activities Determine Whether the Information Exists Determine the General Level of Quality Required for the Data Evaluate the Appropriateness of Existing Data: Usability Assessment

15. Step 3a - Identify Inputs • Usability Assessment: Is data quality assured? • Evaluate quality control data associated with each data set: • Spikes (bias) • Duplicates (precision) • Blanks (evaluate contamination) • Other considerations: • Detection limits • Data collection method (random, systematic, biased) • Remove data that are of poor quality or that are not representative of the population Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Specify Environmental Variables to be Measured List General Sources of Information Decision Statements Continue Step 3 Activities Determine Whether the Information Exists Determine the General Level of Quality Required for the Data Evaluate the Appropriateness of Existing Data: Usability Assessment

16. Step 3a - Identify Inputs Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Usability Assessment (Statistical): Are data representative of the population? Can the data be used to make inferences about the population or sub-population of interest? Translation: Can sweeping claims be made about the site on the basis of the results of an estimate, e.g., the existing data. Specify Environmental Variables to be Measured List General Sources of Information Decision Statements Continue Step 3 Activities Determine Whether the Information Exists Determine the General Level of Quality Required for the Data Evaluate the Appropriateness of Existing Data: Usability Assessment

17. Step 3a - Identify Inputs Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Specify Environmental Variables to be Measured Usability Assessment (CSM) : Are the data reasonable for the proposed CSM? Do the data fall within the range expected for the CSM? List General Sources of Information Decision Statements Continue Step 3 Activities Determine Whether the Information Exists Determine the General Level of Quality Required for the Data Evaluate the Appropriateness of Existing Data: Usability Assessment

18. Step 3a - Approaches Approach 1 Use predominantly fixed traditional laboratory analyses and specify the method specific details at the beginning of the DQO Process and do not change measurement objectives as more information is obtained This approach will contain serious flaws.

19. Step 3a - Approaches (cont.) Approach 2 Allow more field decisions to meet the measurement objectives and allow the objectives to be refined in the field using dynamic work plans (TRIAD approach) This approach will attempt to overcome the serious flaws shown in Approach 1.

20. Step 3a - Approaches (cont.) • Approach 2 - Dynamic Work Plans • Real-time, decision making in the field allows for a seamless flow of site activities resulting in fewer mobilizations • Requires more flexible contracting approach • Requires experienced, well-trained field team (e.g., geologists, chemists and statisticians) either in the field or able to receive and process electronic data in real-time

21. Step 3a - Approaches (cont.) • Approach 2 • Allows collection of more data in real-time • Allows real-time decisions to be made • Must have flexible but established decision trees approved by decision makers ahead of time • Need general statements of measurement quality that will be interpreted by field team • May be more costly due to higher level of expertise required but…more defensible

22. Step 3b - Identify Inputs Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Confirm that Appropriate Measurement Methods Exist to Provide the Necessary Data Specify the Matrix to be Measured Information Needed to Resolve Decision Statements Identify Action Level and Basis for Level Information From Previous Step 3 Activities Specify Required Detection Limits Specify the Precision Required Specify the Accuracy Required

23. Step 3b - Identify Inputs Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Confirm that Appropriate Measurement Methods Exist to Provide the Necessary Data • When selecting methods, • consider: • Detection limits • Sample size • Particle size • Turn around time • Cost Specify the Matrix to be Measured Information Needed to Resolve Decision Statements Identify Action Level and Basis for Level • Can we use a FAM if the • detection limit is higher than • The action limit? • AL = 20 units • Lab DL = 1 unit • Cost = $1000 per • FAM DL = 50 units • Cost = $1 per Information From Previous Step 3 Activities Specify Required Detection Limits Specify the Precision Required Specify the Accuracy Required

24. Step 3b - Identify Inputs Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Confirm that Appropriate Measurement Methods Exist to Provide the Necessary Data Specify the Matrix to be Measured Information Needed to Resolve Decision Statements Identify Action Level and Basis for Level • Examples: • Surface and groundwater • Surface and subsurface soil • Concrete • Air • Biota Information From Previous Step 3 Activities Specify Required Detection Limits Specify the Precision Required Specify the Accuracy Required

25. Step 3b - Identify Inputs Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step If practical, determine the actual numerical value that will be used as the action level for each environmental variable. Confirm that Appropriate Measurement Methods Exist to Provide the Necessary Data Specify the Matrix to be Measured Information Needed to Resolve Decision Statements Identify Action Level and Basis for Level Information From Previous Step 3 Activities Specify Required Detection Limits Specify the Precision Required Specify the Accuracy Required In Step 5 confirm that action levels are greater than the detection limits.

26. Step 3b - Identify Inputs Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Confirm that Appropriate Measurement Methods Exist to Provide the Necessary Data Specify the Matrix to be Measured Information Needed to Resolve Decision Statements Identify Action Level and Basis for Level Information From Previous Step 3 Activities Specify Required Detection Limits Specify the Precision Required • Action levels are from: • Regulations (drinking water, RCRA TC) • Derived from risk modeling (PRGs) Specify the Accuracy Required

27. Step 3b - Identify Inputs For any new environmental measurements to be made, develop a comprehensive list of potentially appropriate measurement methods for each matrix. Specify the detection limits, precision, and accuracy for each environmental variable per matrix. Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Confirm that Appropriate Measurement Methods Exist to Provide the Necessary Data Specify the Matrix to be Measured Information Needed to Resolve Decision Statements Identify Action Level and Basis for Level Information From Previous Step 3 Activities Specify Required Detection Limits Specify the Precision Required Specify the Accuracy Required

28. Step 3b - Identify Inputs • Specify the normal laboratory reporting limits. • Compare these limits to action level. • If the detection limit exceeds action level, either: • Use larger sample size to lower reporting limit, • Use alternate method, • Develop new method, or • Make the reporting limit equal to the action level. Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Confirm that Appropriate Measurement Methods Exist to Provide the Necessary Data Specify the Matrix to be Measured Information Needed to Resolve Decision Statements Identify Action Level and Basis for Level Information From Previous Step 3 Activities Specify Required Detection Limits Specify the Precision Required Specify the Accuracy Required

29. Step 3b - Identify Inputs Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Confirm that Appropriate Measurement Methods Exist to Provide the Necessary Data Specify the Matrix to be Measured Information Needed to Resolve Decision Statements Identify Action Level and Basis for Level • Precision is specified by • Relative percent difference • Relative standard deviation • Confidence limits Information From Previous Step 3 Activities Specify Required Detection Limits Specify the Precision Required Specify the Accuracy Required

30. Step 3b - Identify Inputs Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Confirm that Appropriate Measurement Methods Exist to Provide the Necessary Data Specify the Matrix to be Measured Information Needed to Resolve Decision Statements Accuracy is specified by percent recovery. Identify Action Level and Basis for Level Information From Previous Step 3 Activities Specify Required Detection Limits Specify the Precision Required Specify the Accuracy Required

31. 2 Approaches • Approach 1: Traditional lab methods • Approach 2: Field analytical methods with final confirmation via lab methods • Select onsite methods that focuses on driver COPCs (e.g., risk drivers, transport drivers, etc.)

32. CS Lab Methods

33. CS Onsite Methods

34. CS Approach 2 • To use XRF for onsite, the following must be done: • Develop correlation between lab methods listed in Approach 1 and on-site XRF methods for Pb and U per method 6200 • Correlation must take into account in-situ measurements without drying soil, this creates greater error than drying • In-situ must establish fixed distance of soil from source and fixed count (time exposed to X-rays) time • Develop calibration curves using all different types of soil present at the site

35. CS Approach 2 (cont.) • For Diesel Range (DRO, GRO) onsite • Develop quick extraction with hexane for the DRO, 5 gm soil to 10 ml hexane • Perform short accuracy and precision study for DRO

36. CS Approach 2 (cont.) • MQOs • The RPDs in the previous tables represent the analytical precision and accuracy requirements based on the published methods. • Due to biases, the correlation between the lab methods and on-site methods must meet r2 of 0.80 • Due to the higher detection limits and chance for false positives for Immunoassay, the final confirmation of the action limits must include lab analysis

37. Step 3a - Identify Inputs Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Specify Environmental Variables to be Measured List General Sources of Information Decision Statements Continue Step 3 Activities Determine Whether the Information Exists Determine the General Level of Quality Required for the Data Evaluate the Appropriateness of Existing Data: Usability Assessment

38. Step 3b - Identify Inputs Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Confirm that Appropriate Measurement Methods Exist to Provide the Necessary Data Specify the Matrix to be Measured Information Needed to Resolve Decision Statements Identify Action Level and Basis for Level Information From Previous Step 3 Activities Specify Required Detection Limits Specify the Precision Required Specify the Accuracy Required

39. End of Module 13 Thank you Questions? We will now take a 5-minute “Stretch” Break. Please be back in 5 minutes