vvEPA United St&tos Enviromnontsl Prot6ction Agency Office of Radiation Programs Washington, O.C. 20460 EPA 520/1-8WJ3 February 1986 Radiation Implementation Strategy For The Radon/Radon Progeny Measurement Proficiency Evaluation And Quality Assurance Program \ ------- EPA 520/1-86-03 IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY FOR THE RADON/RADON PROGENY MEASUREMENT PROFICIENCY EVALUATION AND QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM BY HENRY M. SINGLETARY, KEITH STARNER, DR. C. EDWARD HOWARD RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC 27709 FEBRUARY, 1986 CONTRACT NUMBER: 58-01-6826 PROJECT OFFICER H. MICHAEL MARDIS OFFICE OF RADIATION PROGRAMS U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 ------- TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1.0 Introduction . . . 1 2.0 Establishment of a Radon/Radon Progeny Measurement Proficiency (RMP) Program 2 2.1 Radon Technical Information Service . 2 2.2 Program Announcement 2 2.3 Laboratory Enrollment Requirements and Procedures . . 3 2.4 Federal Radon Exposure Facilities 3 3.0 Coordination of the Measurement Proficency Program .... 5 3.1 Intercalibration of Federal Laboratories 5 3.2 Quality Assurance Coordination 5 3.3 Application Review and Acceptance Criteria 5 3.4 Performance Evaluation Rounds 6 3.5 "Walk-in" Participants 7 3.6 Follow-up Evluation Rounds 7 4.0 Publication of Radon/Radon Progeny Measurement Test ... 9 4.1 Radon/Radon Progeny Analytical Proficiency Reports . 9 4.2 Published Radon/Radon Progeny Cumulative Proficiency Reports 9 Appendix A - Radon Information Service/Referral Form 11 Appendix B - Radon/Radon Progeny Measurement Proficiency Program Announcement and List of Publications 12 Appendix C - Enrollment Package - Radon/Radon Progeny Measurement Proficiency Program 14 ------- LIST OF TABLES Page Table 1. Sixteen Elements of a Quality Assurance Plan 8 ------- 1.0 INTRODUCTION EPA has received, and is responding to requests from states to assist with improving technical response to indoor radon. EPA finds that a major state concern is the variability of data, due in part to lack of standardized protocols, testing procedures, data quality con- trol procedures, etc. EPA has determined that an effective response to State requests. would be to establish a program for standardizing measurement. To this end, it has devised protocols for equipment in common use and has established a voluntary program for evaluating measurement effectivenss of those companies choosing to and able.to participate. The objective is to serve the states by providing a list of laboratories which are successfully participaing in the program. If a byproduct of the pro- gram or of the list is that it is of use to the industry and to the public, so much the better. In the process of carrying out the program, EPA will ask for and receive a considerable amount of information. Companies that believe information they provide constitutes trade secret information should identify such information. Federal regulations prohibit disclosure of such information except in accordance with specified procedures, including opportunity to substantiate such claims and opportunity to seek judicial review prior to any public disclosure (see generally 40 C.F.R. Part 2). The Radon/Radon Progeny Measurement Proficiency (RMP) Program par- ticipants will submit passive and/or active radon/radon progeny detec- tors for exposure to precisely established radon/radon progeny levels in U.S. agency laboratories. The participants will then attempt to accurately analyze the detectors to determine the radon exposure and/or radon progeny levels. Each trial analysis will be tabulated in a pub- lication available to State and Federal agencies, as well as, industry and the general public, for use in evaluating which laboratory to select for radon and/or radon progeny analytical work. These trial analyses will initially be conducted on a quarterly basis. Time inter- vals .nay be shortened or lengthened depending on demonstrated detector consistency. 1 ------- 2.0 ESTABLISHMENT OF THE RADON/RADON PROGENY MEASUREMENT PROFICIENCY (RMP) PROGRAM 2.1 Radon Technical Information Service A Radon Technical Information Service will be established to serve as a contact point for laboratories wishing to enter EPA's RMP Program. Persons interested in the program will be sent information packets describing the program and giving specific enrollment-participation requirements. Once laboratories have entered the program, the informa- tion service will begin distributing to anyone requesting them the list of participating laboratories with indicators of their perfor- mance. The focal point of the radon information service will be a toll- free WATS number (radon technical information line). The line will be operational at all times during work days between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, eastern time. Most call's are expected to be from the general public, local governments, and State agencies requesting general radon informa- tion. A selection of appropriate information brochures will be orepar- ed to send to these callers. A contact information service/referral form will be completed for each party requesting information and kept on file for review upon request. The form classifies the information requested and the affiliation of the requestor (see Appendix A). 2.2 Program Announcement Basic to the development of the program will be the notification of the laboratories or persons interested in participating. This ob- jective may be realized in part by placing announcements in several ap-t propriate professional publications including bulletins and magazines. A draft of the announcement/press release is given as Appendix B. State health departments and/or other State agencies will be noti- fied of the Radon Technical Information Service and the Radon Measure- ment Proficiency Program directly by letter. Known university and com- mercial laboratories that might be interested in the program will also be notified directly by letter. All letters will have a copy of the announcement enclosed. ------- 2.3 Laboratory Enrollment Requirements and Procedures Participants in the proposed program must provide documented capa- bility in one or more of the following measurement methods: Alpha Track (AT) Charcoal Canister (CC) Continuous Working Level Monitor (CWLM) Radon Progeny Integrating Sampling Units (RPISU) Radon Gas Monitor (RGM) Grab Sample-Radon (GS-R) Grab Sample-Working Level (GS-WL) Other measurement methods will not be considered for the program at this time but may be included in the future. Laboratories may partici- pate in one or all measurement methods; however, applications will be method specific. Parties interested in enrolling in the program will first write the Radon Technical Information Service or call the Radon Technical Information Number and request the information package titled "RMP Program - Application Information Package" (Appendix C). That package contains application guidance information including: Program description Enrollment requirements Quality assurance plan guidance Example of reporting form Protocols for sampling 2.4 Federal Radon Exposure Facilities As many as four or more Federal agency laboratories may be involv- ed in exposing detectors for the Radon/Radon Progeny Measurement Profi- ciency Program including the following: Office of Radiation Programs U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Montgomery, Alabama Office of Radiation Programs U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Las Vegas, Nevada ------- Environmental Measurement Laboratory U.S. Department of Energy New York, New York Denver Research Center U.S. Bureau of Mines Denver, Colorado Technical Measurement Center U.S. Department of Energy Grand Junction, Colorado As the RMP Program grows, radon chamber size and availability may be an important limiting factor. Other Federal laboratories may par- ticipate in the program in the future. ------- 3.0 COORDINATION OF THE RMP PROGRAM 3.1 Inter!aboratory Calibrations of Federal Laboratories The laboratories listed in section 2.4 will conduct inter-calibra- tion programs on a biannual basis. Calibrations will be for a range of radon and radon progeny levels found in the natural indoor-air environ- ment .. • 3.2 Quality Assurance Coordination Quality Assurance coordination will be the responsibility of the Radon Quality Assurance (RQA) Coordinator(s). That responsibility will include the following: Operation of the Radon Technical Information telephone line 0 Notification of laboratories that the RMP Program is available. Distribution of RMP program participation requirement informa- tion. Review and evaluation of applications to participate in the (RMP) program. Coordination of the receipt, exposure, and return of detectors submitted for the RMP Program. Compilation of Radon/Radon Progeny Analytical Proficiency (RAP) reports. This entails compiling data from an individual analy- sis round for reporting to the participating laboratories. Preparation and updating of the Radon/Radon Progeny Cumulative Proficiency (RCP) Report. -This publication will be a compila- tion of up to four proficiency reports. 3.3 Application Review and Acceptance Criteria The "RMP Program - Application Information Package" submitted here as Appendix C describes specifically what is required for participating in the RMP Program. Laboratories not submitting all items or informa- tion requested in the information packet with the exception of the QA plan will not be allowed to participate. ------- EPA recognizes that it is common practice for a laboratory to sub- contract analytical work to another laboratory that they do not do on a regular basis, are not set up to do or to take care of laboratory over- load. The contractor laboratory usually bears the responsibility for the quality of the contractee's work and reports their analyses on their own letterhead. Laboratories subcontracting radon or radon prog- eny analyses to other laboratories will be allowed to participate in the RMP program. However,- the analyst and laboratory actually perform- ing the analyses must be identified in the RMP program application and on each analyses results reporting form for each proficiency analyses round (Appendix C). A Quality Assurance (QA) plan is requested but not required for participation in the RMP program. If a laboratory submits a QA plan, it will be reviewed for those elements requested in Table 1. Laborato- ries with QA plans found to contain these elements will be indicated in the cumulative proficiency report (see Section 4.2). EPA will evaluate applications and accept or reject them within a maximum of four (4) weeks. Laboratories will be allowed to oarticipate in the first proficiency round even though they have not received con- firmation of enrollment. EPA will also maintain these applications and quality assurance plans on file. 3.4 Performance Evaluation Rounds The Radon Quality Assurance (RQA) Coordinator will gather and dis- tribute exposed detectors initially on a quarterly basis, with all detectors supplied by the participants. Laboratories requesting par- ticipation in their first RMP Program proficiency round may submit an enrollment (application) request, along with the unexposed passive radon detectors to the RQA Coordinator. Participant will submit five (5) passive detectors, of each type on which they wish to be evaluated. Participants submitting detectors requiring separate air-flow measure- ments must also submit one flowmeter for calibration. All five detec- tors will be assigned unique identification numbers and four will be exposed at one of the EPA or DOE radon chamber facilities. The remain- ing detector will be left unexposed for control. The detectors will ------- then be shipped to the participant laboratory for quantitation, along with a results reporting form. An example of this form is enclosed in Appendix C. 3.5 "Walk-in" Participants Passive detectors can be shipped from and to participating labora- tories by a number of commercial package carrier services; however, nonpassive detectors may be fragile and/or bulky and require operation by a specially trained technician. For these reasons, a participant in the RMP program will, at his own expense, send a technician to place and operate instruments in the Federal radon chamber. The RQA coordi- nator will be responsible for scheduling "walk-in" participants accord- ing to a schedule set up by the operators of the radon chamber. 3.6 Follow-up Evaluation Rounds Those participants failing to perform within the pre-established analytical proficiency limits for a given round will be given an oppor- tunity to submit detectors for a follow-up round. Initially, detectors for these rounds will be exposed at the EPA Office of Radiation Pro- grams laboratory facility in Montgomery, Alabama. Laboratories failing to participate successfully or failing to submit detectors for three (3) consecutive rounds (including the follow-up rounds) will be dropped from the RMP program. ------- Table 1. ^Sixteen Elements of A Quality Assurance Plan *° Title Page Project Description 0 Table of Contents *" Project Organization and Responsibility 0 QA Objectives for Measurement Data in Terms of Precision, Accuracy, Completeness, Representativeness, and Comparability *° Sampling Procedures *° Sample Custody (Tracking) 0 Calibration Procedures and Frequency *' Analytical Procedures *° Data Reduction, Validation, and Reporting Internal Quality Control Checks . 0 Performance and System Audits Preventive Maintenance Specific Routine Procedures Used to Assess Data Precision, Accuracy, and Completeness *° Corrective Action *" Quality Assurance Reports to Management *Elements that are requested for application to participate in RMP Program. ^IJ.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Interim Guidelines and Specifications for Preparing Quality Assurance Project Plans." QAMS-005/80. Washington, D.C. December 29, 1980. ------- 4.0 PUBLICATION OF RADON/RADON PROGENY MEASUREMENT REPORTS 4.1 Radon/Radon Progeny Analytical Proficiency (RAP) Report Reference analytical reports will be obtained from the Federal laboratory preparing the radon and radon progeny detectors. These values will be compared with the analyses submitted by the participat- ing laboratories. This reference data will be the basis for comparison in determining each laboratory's performance rating. Radon/Radon Progeny Analytical Proficiency (RAP) reports will be issued to individual commercial and noncommercial laboratories after each round, summarizing each laboratory's performance and providing means and standard deviations. Each laboratory listed will be identi- fied by unique letters known only to the program RQA Coordinator and the participating laboratory. The format planned for the RAP report is included in Appendix C. 4.2 Radon/Radon Progeny Cumulative Proficiency (RCP) Reports A list of laboratories participating in the RMP Program will be published along with indicators of their performance. Acceptable vari- ations from the established value will be indicated and in this manner a non-technical person can use the list to select a laboratory. This listing will be made available to the public through the Radon Techni- cal Information Service and will include the performance ratings of up to four rounds. An updated listing will be published with each round of analyses. The format planned for the RCP report is included in Appendix C. ------- APPENDICES 10 ------- APPENDIX A RADON INR3WTIGN SERVICE/REFER^!. FORM; Requestor: Affiliation: Address: Telephone: / - Requestors Affiliation p Laboratory p Private Individual p Local Goverrment Q Contractor/Consultant p Other: ext. p Federal Govermient Q State Goverrment p Engineer Q Lawyer Type of Information Requested p Lab List Q Information Packet for RM> Progran p Office of Radiation Prograns p Sampling Protocol p QA guidelines p NTIS (703)487-4650 rr Cancer Information Service 1-1 (800)422-6237 Notes/Suimary/Cdnnents/etc: Q Referred to EPA Radon Hotline 703/ - P ORP docunents p Technical Sanpl ing & Analysis p Referred to Federal Laboratory for information P QA Round Questions p Public Information Packet Other Information Provided by: Mailed by: Date: Date: 7 11 ------- APPENDIX B TO: S.MEYERS (EPA6600) FROM: D.CHOEN (EPA1704) Posted: Tue 28-Jan-86 9:41 EST Sys 63 (103) SUBJECT: radon press release Radon Measurement & QA Press Release EPA TO VERIFY RADON MEASUREMENT OF LABORATORIES AND BUSINESS David Cohen (202) 382-5589 The U.S. Environmetal Protection Agency announced today a new program to verify the qualifications and capabilities of laboratories and businesses measuring indoor levels of harmful radon emissions. The objective of the voluntary program is to as- sist states concerned with elevated levels of radon in homes by providing a clearinghouse where laboratories and others .in the business of measuring radon levels may demonstrate their proficiency. "Increased public concern with the effects of exposure to radon has greatly increased the demand for qualified analysis to measure the pollutant," said Richard.Guimond of EPA's Office of Radiation Programs. "This effort will help states and communities by pro- viding technical assistance which will result in public confidence that measurements made in people's homes by EPA-tested labs are acceptable." Voluntary participants will submit their measuring devices to EPA which, in turn, will expose the detec- tors or sampling devices to precisely-established radon and radon progeny levels in its laboratories. The de- tectors will then be returned to the participants who will attempt to accurately analyze the radon exposure levels. Following each trial analysis, a new list of laboratories of businesses which have performed within the acceptable range or error will be published. This list will be made available to federal and state agen- cies, industry, and the general public for their use in selecting which laboratory or business to use for radon measurement work. "EPA will be conducting these trial analyses on a quarterly basis and will follow this with an updated list," Guimond said. "In essence, laboratories that wish to participate in our program will have their pro- ficiency examined every three months. (more) 12 ------- -2- EPA has established a radon technical information service which will serve as a contact point for labora- tories wishing to enter the agency's Radon Measurement Proficiency program. Persons interested in participat- ing will be sent information packets describing the program and giving specific enrollment participation requirements. Once laboratories have entered the pro- gram, the'information service will begin distributing a list of results of participating laboratory tests in simplified form to anyone requesting the list. The listing is intended to aid the non-technical person in the selection of a laboratory or business engaged in radon measurement. The focal point of the technical information ser- vice is a radon telephone line which will be in opera- tion during the week between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., EST. That number is 300-334-8571, ext. 7131. Information brochures on radon are being prepared and will be available for distribution in the near future. Participants in the Radon Measurement Proficiency program must provide documented capability in one or more of the following measurement methods: Alpha Track Charcoal Canister Continuous Working Level Monitor Radon Progeny Integrating Sampling Units Radon Gas Monitor Grab Sample--Radon Grab Sample—Working Level Parties interested in enrolling in the program should call the radon hotline listed above or write: Radon Technical Information Service Research Triangle Institute P.O. Box 12194 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Applications to participate in the first round of analyses must be submitted before March 1, 1986 # # # 13 ------- APPENDIX C RADON/RADON PROGENY MEASUREMENT PROFICIENCY (RMP) PROGRAM APPLICATION INFORMATION PACKAGE Contents Enrollment Package Cover Letter Enrollment and Continuing Participation Conditions Acceptance/Rejection Letter RMP Program Schedule of Events--Round-l Analysis Report Instructions Analyses Results Reporting Form Letter Instructing RMP Program Participants on Preparation of QA Plan Quality Assurance Plan Guidelines Radon/Radon Progeny Analytical Proficiency Report Radon/Radon Progeny Cumulative Proficiency Report Interim Indoor Radon and Radon Decay Product Measurement Protocols 14 ------- ENROLLMENT PACKAGE COVER LETTER EPA LETTERHE-AD Date Requesting Laboratory Address Subject: Enrollment Package, Radon/Radon Progeny Measurement Proficiency Program Hear Sir: The Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Radiation Programs has established the Radon/Radon Progeny Measurement Proficiency (RMP) program to assist State agencies and the public by providing a list of laboratories capable of measuring radon and/or radon progeny with data results of known quality. This quality assurance program is adminis- tered by Research Triangle Institute (RTI), a not-for-profit organiza- tion, located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. The RMP program offers participating laboratories an opportunity to test their radon and/or radon progeny measurement proficiency on a quarterly basis. Participants will submit one or more types of detec- tors to be placed in a Federal agency laboratory radon chamber. Mea- surement proficiency will be determined by comparing detector analyses to known values. After each analyses trial, participants will receive the Radon/Radon Progeny Analytical Proficiency Report which summarizes each laboratory's performance and provides means and standard devia- tions. Each 1 aboratory-'s analyses will be identified by unique letters and numbers known only to the program coordinator(s) and the partici- pating laboratory. A separate report titled "Radon/Radon Progeny Cumu- lative Proficiency Report" will be distributed to an appropriate agency in each state and the requesting public. This report will list labora- tories by name which have met minimum set guidelines for RMP Program participation. The enclosed materials describe in detail the conditions for par- ticipation in the RMP program. There is no fee for participation. Every effort will be made to properly handle and ship detectors; how- ever, if accidents do happen EPA will take no responsibility for lost, damaged, or improperly exposed detectors. Questions should be directed to the Office of Radiation Program's Quality Assurance Office (703/557- 7380) or RTI, Radon Technical information Service (800/534-8571, Exten- sion 7131) Sincerely, H. Michael Mardis Quality Assurance Officer Environmental Studies and Statistics Branch (ANR-461) Office of Radiation Programs Enclosures 15 ------- ENROLLMENT AND CONTINUING PARTICIPATION CONDITIONS Conditions for enrolling and continuing in the RMP program are as follows: Submit a written request on laboratory letterhead stationery (includes company name, street address and telephone number) to: Radon Quality Assurance Coordinator Research Triangle Institute P.O. Box 12194 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 0 State whether enrollment is requested as a commercial or non- commercial laboratory. State radon and/or radon progeny measurement method being enter- ed in the RMP Program -- Alpha Track, Charcoal Cannister, Con- tinuous Working Level Monitor (CWLM) Radon Progeny Integrating Sampling Units (RPISU) Radon Gas Monitor (RGM) or grab sample instruments. 0 Laboratories entering more than one measurement method in the RMP Program must submit a separate application package for each method submitted. No more than four methods (types of devices) may be submitted for a given measurement proficiency round. 0 If analyses are to be performed by a subcontractor, identify that laboratory and the person in that laboratory responsible for radon and/or radon progeny analyses. A new appl ication must be submitted for each subcontracting laboratory used in the RMP program. Submit (if available) a copy of your laboratory's quality assur- ance (QA) plan. Guidance for developing a quality assurance plan is enclosed. Failure to submit a QA plan will not preclude participation. 0 Enclose a copy of all standard operating procedures (SOP's) used by your laboratory for radon and/or radon progeny measurement. 8 If enrollment is for a Radon Progeny Integrating Sampling Units (RPISU), submit air pump calibration methods. e If enrollment is for a non-passive detector, submit the brand name model and serial number of the unit. More than one but no more than four non-passive detectors may be entered in a given round. 16 ------- If enrollment is for a grab sample instrument, submit the brand name, model and serial number of the unit. Indicate whether the instrument measures radon or radon progeny. No more than four grab sample instruments may be entered in a given round. Participants failing to perform acceptable analyses for a given performance round will be given an opportunity to perform in a follow-up round. If a laboratory also fails to perform accept- ably or does not submit detectors for the follow-up round they will be dropped from the RCP Report. Failure to perform successfully in three (3) consecutive rounds (including follow-up rounds) will result in that laboratory being dropped from RMP program. Laboratories dropped from the program must submit a new application for continued participa- tion. Participating laboratories not submitting detectors for any regular performance round must participate in the follow-up round or be dropped from the RMP Program. 17 ------- ACCEPTANCE/REJECTION LETTER EPA LETTERHEAD Date Requesting Laboratory Address Dear Sir: The Environmental Protection Agency Office of Radiation Programs has received your application package for participation in the Radon/- Radon Progeny Measurenent Proficiency Program Your application package was found to be complete and your enroll- ment is effective as of the date of this communication. Your application package was found not to be complete and lacking the element(s) listed below. Your QA Plan has been reviewed by EPA staff and considered ade- quate. A schedule of events for the RMP program is attached for your information. If your application was found deficient, the corrected application must be received prior to March 21, 1986 in order to par- ticipate in the next measurement proficiency round. If you need additional information relating to the RMP program or the attached schedule of events, please contact the Radon Technical Information Service (800-334-8571, ext. 7131) at Research Triangle Institute. Sincerely, H. Michael Mardis Quality Assurance Officer Environmental Studies and Statistics Branch (ANR-461) Office of Radiation Programs Enclosure 18 ------- *SCHEDULE OF EVENTS — ROUND 1 ** Round 1 +Round 1 Followup Press Release Receipt of Enrollment Application Receipt of (Jnexposed Detectors Receipt of Detectors at Radon Chambers Ship Exposed Detectors to Labs Submit Analyses Send Laboratories Notice of Provisional Performance Complete Radon/Radon Progeny Analytical Proficiency (RAP) Reports Complete Radon/Radon Progeny Cumulative Proficiency (RCP) Report 2/20 - 3/12 3/1 - 3/21 3/26 3/31 - 4/9 4/23 4/28 5/7 5/7 5/1 - 5/9 5/12 5/19 - 5/23 6/2 6/19 6/19 *Rounds 2, 3 and 4 are tentatively set to start respectively July 1, November 1, 1986 and January 1, 1987 **Laboratories enrolling active detectors will deliver devices to the exposure laboratory between 3/19 and 3/24 at a time determined by the RQA Coordinator ***0ates are in 1986 +Participants failing to meet program proficiency conditions of the RMP progran will be offered an opportunity to participate in a follow-up round. Participants failing in this round or not submitting detectors will be dropped from the program. 19 ------- PERFORMANCE EVALUATION ROUND DETECTOR DISTRIBUTION The Radon Quality Assurance (RQA) Coordinator will gather and dis- tribute exposed detectors initially on a quarterly basis, with all detectors supplied by the participants. Laboratories requesting par- ticipation in their first Radon/Radon Progeny Measurement Proficiency (RMP) Program proficiency round may submit an enrollment (application) request, along with the unexposed passive radon detectors to the RQA Coordinator. Ship five (5) passive detectors, of each type on which your laboratory wishes to be evaluated. Participants submitting detec- tors requiring separate air-flow measurements must also submit one flowmeter for calibration. All five detectors will be assigned unique identification numbers and four will be exposed at one of the EPA or DOE radon chamber facilities. The remaining detector will be left unexposed for control. The detectors will then be shipped to your laboratory for quantitation, along with a results reporting form. An example of this form is' enclosed for review prior to participation in the quality assurance rounds. Laboratories submitting non-passive detectors for entry into the Program will need to coordinate the delivery date with the RQA Coordi- nator prior to delivering the instruments to a Federal Laboratory for exposure. After exposure, the operator will submit his reading on the same reporting form used for other detectors. If enrollment requirements are met and analyses are within accept- able limits, the laboratory will be listed in the Radon/Radon Progeny Cumulative Proficiency Report as participating successfully. This is the report that will be made available to state agencies and the public. 20 ------- DETECTOR SHIPMENT Unexposed passive radon detectors should be packaged in protective containers and placed in a rigid outer container, suitable for return' shipment. Any unique or specific containers required for shipping must be furnished by the participant and will be used for packaging the detectors for the return shipment. The participant will provide return shipping labels (including street address) for each container. Ensure that all addresses are clearly placed and legible. The laboratory must pay postage on all shipments to the RQA Coordinator. All other ship- ping will be paid for by EPA. For non-passive detectors requiring the presence of an operator, the participant must bring the detector to a radon chamber at a time and place specified by the RQA coordinator at the expense of the par- ticipant. 21 ------- RADON/RADON PROGENY MEASUREMENT PROFICIENCY PROGRAM ANALYSES REPORT INSTRUCTIONS 1. Veri'fy that this kit contains the five (5) detectors of each type that your laboratory submitted previously. For control, one detec- tor was not exposed. 2. If this kit is incomplete or contains open or damaged detectors: PHONE: 1-800/334-8571 ext. 7131 ASK FOR: Radon Quality Assurance Coordinator 3. Perform a complete analysis of each detector using the appropriate measurement technique. 4. Results Reporting Form (Front) o Record your laboratory identification number and detector iden- tification numbers. Explanation - Detector Labels: A A A A - 01 - 0001 Lab. Round Detector ID. No. I.D. o Record the results of analyses. Analyses of radon detectors will be reported as pCi/L. Analyses of radon progeny detectors will be reported in Working Levels. o Fill in all blocks for each analysis performed, using zeros where necessary. Please print legibly because data on the Results Reporting Form are the data on which your performance rating will be based. Reporting forms with incomplete informa- tion will not be evaluated. o Unavoidable analytical problems and/or damaged detectors should be discussed under comments. o If the analytical laboratory is subcontracted to the participat- ing laboratory, the subcontracting laboratory and address will be listed under comments. o The affirmation states that the results being reported were obtained by analyses performed, or contracted by the laboratory. Complete the statement with the name of the laboratory as it appears on laboratory letterhead. The signature of the labora- tory manager or other company officials responsible for analyti- cal services is required. Reporting forms submitted without required signatures will not be evaluated. 22 ------- o Submit a separate reporting form for each method being eval- uated. Ensure that all reporting forms are completely filled out. o Please provide changes or corrections in the participating labo- ratory mailing address if applicable. 5. Return the Results Reporting Form by the date indicated in the cover letter. Mail to: RQA Coordinator Radon Technical Information Service Research Triangle Institute Post Office Box 12194 Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709-2194 LATE RETURNS WILL NOT BE EVALUATED 23 ------- Mall to: Radon Quality Assurance Coordinator Research Triangle Institute P.O. 8ox 12194 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Telephone: 300-334-8571, Ext. 7131 Mast be post- imarked by: Page ; of Forms ANALYSES RESULTS REPORTING FORM RADON/RADON PROGENY MEASUREMENT PROFICIENCY PROGRAM LABORATORY I.D. * | | | | ] ROUND DETECTOR I.D. # 1- 1 1 1 2. 1 1 1 3. | 4. 1 1 | 5. 1 1 | DETECTOR TYPE* HZ HI picocuries/Liter Working Level nD + J.1 1 4 l+| 1 1 ; i + 1 1 1 J 1 l + l 1 1 •• l + l 1 1 . -1 - l+l 1 1 + I _] U+ U l + l 1 1 l + l 1 1 *Charcoal Cannister Detector = CC Radon Progeny Integrating Sampling Unit = RP Alpha Track Detector = AT Radon Gas Monitor = GM Continuous Working Level Monitor = CW Grab Sample = GS Radon Working Level TIME IN - TIME OUT - RTI USE ONLY EXPOSURE DATA "1 I DATE LZ ~~1 I DATE r~ 1. 2. 3. 4. INITIAL FLOWRATE L/min RPISU DETECTORS FINAL FLOWRATE L/mi n 24 ------- (Reverse Side of Reporting Form) Comments Analyst signature (required): Affirmation: I hereby affirm that the information appearing on this Results Reporting Form was acquired in analyses performed by/for, • « '(name of participating laboratory) that the analyses were performed by the person who signature appears above as "Analyst"; that said analyst is an employee, officer of, or consultant to the above-name organization; that the detector used in the analyses are the property of said organization; and that the analy- ses represented by this Results Reporting Form are typical of analyti- cal services available to the public from the participating laboratory. Laboratory Manager - Signature Date ADDRESS CORRECTION, PLEASE: Contact Name: Affiliation: Address: City State Zip Code: Telephone: Ext. 25 ------- LETTER INSTRUCTING RMP PROGRAM PARTICIPATION ON PREPARATION OF A QA PLAN EPA LETTERHEAD Date Address SUBJECT: Quality Assurance Plan Guidelines for Participants in the Radon/Radon Progeny Measurement Program Dear : The attached sample report is intended to assist participant labo- ratories involved in preparing Quality Assurance Plans for their labo- ratory's operations. The sample report is an abbreviated plan based on guidance presented in the following two documents: 0 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Interim Guidelines and Specifications for Preparing Quality Assurance Project Plans." qAMS-005/80. Washington, D.C. December 29, 1980. " U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "AEERL Quality Assurance Procedures Manual for Project Officers." AEERL (QA)-002/85. Research Triangle Park, N.C. April 15, 1985. When using the sample report in preparing a Quality Assurance Pro- ject Plan, please keep in mind the following: 0 A Title Page and Table of Contents. 0 Use the "document control format" on all pages of the Plan, except for the title page. (Place in the upper right-hand cor- ner of the page.). This format should be updated.whenever a page of the Plan is revised. (The document control format is illus- trated in the sample report.) 8 Standard Operating Procedures, Work Plans, and other relevant documentation should be reference and placed in the Appendix. 0 Add subsections as needed. If you need additional information relating to the RMP program or the attached schedule of events, please contact the Radon Technical Information Service (300-334-3571, ext. 7131) at Research Triangle Institute. • , ! Sincerely, H. Michael Mardis Quality Assurance Officer Environmental Studies and Statistics Branch (ANR-461) Office of Radiation Programs Attachment 26 ------- QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN GUIOELNES QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN: (PROJECT TITLE AND LABORATORY) (Authors) (Author's Organization) (Organi zation's Address) Prepared for rn (Month and Year) 27 ------- Section 1.0 Revision 0 December 10, 1985 Page 1 of 1 1.0 ORGANIZATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES [This section should include a figure or chart showing the project organization and line of authority. In particular, the relationship of the Quality Assurance Officer to Laboratory Management should be illus- trated. (It is highly desirable that the QA Officer be organizational- ly independent of the project so that the risk of conflict of interest may be minimized.) In addition to the QA Officer, all key individuals who are responsible for analyses, data assessment, and project manage- ment should be presented.] 28 ------- Section 2.0 Revision 0 December 10, 1985 Page 1 of 1 2.0 SAMPLING PROCEDURES [This section should reference EPA, "Interim Indoor Radon and Radon Decay Product Measurement Protocols". The detector placement will be method specific.] 29 ------- Section 3.0 Revision 0 December 10, 1985 Page 1 of 1 3.0 DETECTOR CUSTODY (Traceabililty) [This section should discuss the procedures needed to: (1) track detector placement and delivered to the Laboratory; (2) document all readings, analyses, and other operations performed on the detector; and (3) document the final fate of the detector (i.e., storage, disposal, or shipment to another organization). Additionally, the following information should be provided: The nane and duties of the detector custodian (or other respon- sible individuals) who signs for incoming field samples and ver- ifies the entry of pertinent information into the detector cus- tody records. 0 The data tracking information required to be entered on the Laboratory's detector custody and lab-tracking forms. Examples of detector custody forms used in the Laboratory should be included in this section.] 30 ------- Section 4.0 Revision 0 December 10, 1985 Page 1 of 1 4.0 ANALYTICAL PROCEDURES 4.1 Analytical Equipment and Procedures [All analytical equipment used in the program should be listed in this section, and all analytical/reading procedures should be described.] 4.2 Calibration Procedures and Frequencies [All calibration procedures, and the frequency at which these pro- cedures are performed, should be discussed. This information should be presented for all instruments and associated apparatus to be used in the study. However, this information is not needed for instruments and associated apparatus used to make non-critical measurements, i.e. barometric pressure]. 4.3 Internal Quality Control v [All internal quality control checks associated with critical mea- surements should be discussed or referenced. The QC checks to be dis- cussed could include the following samples: 0 Replicates (how many? frequency?) 8 Blanks Internal standards/check sources ' Control charts 31 ------- Section 5.0 Revision 0 December 10, 1985 Page 1 of 1 5.0 DATA REDUCTION, VALIDATION, AND REPORTING [For each critical measurement parameter, the following should be provided: The data reduction scheme planned for all analytical data. This may include all equations used to calculate concentrations and other parameters of interest. The methods used to identify and treat anomalous data The key individuals who will handle data and be responsible for its integrity in the final report.] 32 ------- Section 6.0 Revision 0 December 10, 1985 Page 1 of 1 6.0 CORRECTIVE ACTION [Corrective action procedures should be specified, including the following: The predetermined limits for data acceptability, beyond which corrective action is required. The corrective action to be taken. ' The individual responsible for initiating and approving the cor- rective actions.] 33 ------- Section 7.0 Revision 0 December 10, 1985 Page 1 of 1 7.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE REPORTS TO MANAGEMENT [This section should present a mechanism for the periodic report- ing to Management on internal/external audit results, QC checks, and data quality. As a minimum these reports should include: 0 The periodic assessment of measurement data accuracy, precision, and completeness, i.e, inter comparisons and calibrations. 0 The results of internal/external audits. All significant QA/QC problems, and recommended solutions.] 34 ------- RADON/RADON PROGENY ANALYTICAL PROFICIENCY (RAP) REPORT *EPA LETTERHEAD Date Laboratory Address Dear Participant: Enclosed are the results of the Office of Radiation Program's June , . Radon/Radon Progeny Intercomparison Study. Your laboratory code is . Data which are consistently higher or lower than the known value or outside the control limits may indicate analytical problems. It is suggested that the suspect instrument and procedure be checked for bias. Should you have any questions or require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the Radon Technical Information Service (800-334- 8571, ext. 7131) at Research Triangle Institute, Research /Triangle Park, NC. Sincerely, H. Michael Mardis Quality Assurance Officer Environmental Studies and Statistics Branch (ANR-461) Office of Radiation Programs Enclosure 35 ------- ORP RADON/RADON PROGENY INTERCOMPARISON STUDY June 7, 1986 Known-value = Expected Laboratory precision (IS, 1 determination) = Detector Experimental Rng Anly Normalized deviation Lab No. Result Sigma (R + SR) Average (grand-avg) (known) AAAA xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx AAAB xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx AAAC xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx AZZZ xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx Experimental sigma (all labs) = Grand average = * = Determined to be an outlier, not used in calculations. ** = Less than 4 valid determinations not used in calculations. 36 ------- RADON/RADON PROGENY CUMULATIVE PROFICIENCY REPORT (This publication valid through ) EPA Analysis Round Prepared by Research Triangle Institute P.O. Box 12194 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Prepared for Office of Radiation Programs U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Washington, DC 20460 January 1986 37 ------- INTRODUCTION Recent public concern with health effects related to exposure to radon has greatly increased the demand for laboratories qualified to measure radon and/or radon progeny in indoor air. In response to request for assistance from States, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Radiation Programs has developed the Radon/Radon Progeny Measurement Proficiency (RMP) Program in which laboratories are invited to voluntarily demonstrate their proficiency at measuring radon and/or radon progeny levels. The main benefits of the program are two- fold: 1. Laboratories are offered an opportunity to improve their qual- ity assurance program by attempting to correctly measure established levels of radon and/or radon progeny and by inter- comparison with other laboratories. 2. This report is available to Federal and State agencies and the public for use in selecting which laboratory to use for radon and/or radon progeny measurements. The RMP Program is not designated for laboratory acreditation and does not certify, recommend, or endorse participating laboratories. The list of program participants is provided by EPA only as a source of analytical laboratories with demonstrated radon and/or radon progeny measurement capabilities (Table 1). The laboratories listed in this publication are current partici- pants in the RMP program and are listed with descriptors of their per- formance for this and up to three previous rounds. Laboratory perfor- mance was assessed on the basis of screening and conformation levels designated respectively as Levels 1 and 2. Laboratories failing to meet minimum proficiency requirements for a second consecutive round will be removed from this list. The following is a list of descriptors used to indicate each laboratory's performance. 38 ------- Descriptor Explanation LI Level 1 - Met minimum screening requirements for participating successfully (analysis within 25% of actual detector exposure levels). *L2 Level 2 - Analysis proficiency desirable for reme- dial action programs (analyses within ?% of actual detector exposure levels). Provisional - Failed to meet minimum proficiency performance requirements DT Oector damaged or lost through no fault of the par- ticipant. *Level 2 descriptors will not be listed for measurement proficiency Rounds 1 and 2. Although the minimum criterion for participating in the RMP pro- gram is lenient, it recognizes the basic concern of the public - the ability to determine the presence or absence of potentially harmful levels of radon and/or radon progeny. Descriptors indicating labora- tory performance are measurement method (detector) specific and only indicate that laboratory's ability to perform measurements with that detector. For laboratories participating in the program with more than one type of detector there is a separate performance listing ,'for each measurement method entered. EPA has requested, but not required, that participating ^aborato- ries submit for review a copy of their quality assurance plan. An X under the column headed "Quality Assurance Plan" indicates that the laboratory has submitted a plan and it has been reviewed by EPA staff and considered adequate. Participants in the RMP program are listed alphabetically and grouped according to EPA Regions as shown in Figure 1. 39 ------- Regional Organizations 0. Figure 1. 40 ------- TABLE 1 REGION N 0. This listing valid to (Date of next Publication) Laboratory Laboratory Name Addresss Phone No. Laboratory Name Address Phone No. Date of Round (mo., yr.) 3/86 6/86 9/86 1/87 3/86 6/86 9/86 1/87 Radon Measurement Detectors Alpha Track LI L2 12 12 Charcoal Canister 12 12 LI 12 Working Level Measurement Detector Grab Sample Radon Working Level RPISU CWLM Quality Assurance Plan X X 41 ------- Melinda's Protocols will be placed here. 42 ------- |