EPA-600/4-71-P06
January 1976
Environmental Monitoring Series
CODING MANUAL FOR THE
QUALITY ASSURANCE PERFORMANCE AUDIT FOR
AEROMETRIC DATA
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
-------
RESEARCH REPORTING SERIES
Research reports of the Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, have been grouped into five series. These five broad
categories were established to facilitate further development and application of
environmental technology. Elimination of traditional grouping was consciously
planned to foster technology transfer and a maximum interface in related fields.
The five series are:
1. Environmental Health Effects Research
2. Environmental Protection Technology
3. Ecological Research
4. Environmental Monitoring
5. Socioeconomic Environmental Studies
This report has been assigned to the ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING series.
This series describes research conducted to develop new or improved methods
and instrumentation for the identification and quantification of environmental
pollutants at the lowest conceivably significant concentrations. It also includes
studies to determine the ambient concentrations of pollutants in the environment
and/or the variance of pollutants as a function of time or meteorological factors.
This document is available to the public through the National Technical Informa-
tion Service. Springfield, Virginia 22161.
-------
EPA-600/4-76-006
January 1976
CODING MANUAL FOR THE QUALITY ASSURANCE
PERFORMANCE AUDIT FOR AEROMETRIC DATA
by
Raymond C; Rhodes and Donald H. Fair
Statistical and Technical Analysis Branch
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
Research Triangle Park, N. C. 27711
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND SUPPORT LABORATORY
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N. C. 27711
January 1976
-------
DISCLAIMER
This report has been reviewed by the Environmental Monitoring and
Support Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and approved
for publication. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not
constitute endorsement or recommendations for use.
u
-------
CONTENTS
Page
List of Figures iv
Acknowledgment v
I Introduction 1
II Generalized Information 3
III Specific Information 5
References 13
Code Table 1 and Code Table 2 14
Appendix A 15
in
-------
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page
1 Sample Data Form for Total Suspended Particulate 9
for 24-Hour or Greater Sampling Interval
2 Sample Data Form for Sulfur Dioxide for 24-Hour 10
or Greater Sampling Interval
3 Sample Data Form for Nitrogen Dioxide for 24-Hour 11
or Greater Sampling Interval
IV
-------
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Acknowledgment is made to Mr. Gardner Evans for his
work in developing a system to process the data to
be received from the regions on the attached forms.
-------
CODING MANUAL FOR THE QUALITY ASSURANCE
PERFORMANCE AUDIT FOR AEROMETRIC DATA
I. INTRODUCTION
Appendix A of Guideline Document OAQPS No. 1.2-020, "Guidance for
Decentralization and Continued Operation of the NASN," provides instructions
for "Quality Assurance Performance Audits for NASN Network (Independent
Duplicate Checks.)"
The purpose of this manual is to ensure uniformity in reporting
information obtained through the performance audits for the National Air
Surveillance Network (NASN). If the performance audit is to be considered
as a source of information (1) to quantitatively assess data quality resulting
from the measurement system and (2) to indicate when the system is in need of
corrective action, then the audit data must be reported in a meaningful,
uniform manner. As shown in the figures, a coding form has been designed
which is pollutant/method specific to ensure that the incoming audit data
relate solely to the measurement system by which it was collected and
analyzed. At present, there are three pollutant/method forms, one each for
total suspended particulate matter (high volume, glass fiber filter),
sulfur dioxide (manual 24-hour, pararosaniline), and nitrogen dioxide
(manual 24-hour, sodium arsenite). Forms and instructions for other
pollutant/methods may be added later. Thus, this manual is being published
"prepunched," to be inserted into a three-ring binder so that when other
pollutant/methods in addition to those for NASN are totally defined they
may be inserted easily into the document. Further, instructions on the
-------
use of performance audit data by the originating laboratory and other users
will be issued at a later date.
The Environmental Protection Agency has adopted the SAROAD (Storage
and Retrieval of Aerometric Data) system as its official system for
processing and storing air quality data and for storing the data in a
Data Bank. (See Reference 7.) As indicated by the list of references,
several documents have been published relating to and explaining the overall
system. It is intended that the established coding structure of SAROAD
be used wherever possible and to marry the audit information to the system
by which the data were collected.
Any attempt to record the resulting data on forms that are in a format
other than the SAROAD format is likely to result in some confusion and
difficulty. Admittedly, however, the forms included in this manual are
considered as tentative until their worthiness has been evaluated. In
addition, new forms will be added for additional pollutants and for
different methods of collection and analyses as the need arises.
The Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory (EMSL) will monitor
the progress of incoming audit data and will, if necessary, simplify the
forms. Any problems with either the auditing process or with the coding of
the data should be made known to the EMSL.
The completed forms for performance audits should be submitted each
quarter, along with the results of the NASN data, to the EPA Regional
Office. Initially, the performance audit data should then be submitted
to the EMSL, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, for review
and analysis. Appropriate analysis of the data will result in:
-------
1. Establishment of realistic acceptability criteria for
the performance audit data.
2. Appropriate design of data forms.
3. Appropriate routine analysis of performance audit data.
Subsequently, the performance audit data will be routinely submitted
from the regions, directly to OAQPS for routine analyses and reporting.
II. GENERALIZED INFORMATION
The upper third of each form (Figures 1, 2, and 3) is the portion
which designates the pollutant being audited, the method of collection and
analysis, the state and area within the state that the samples were
collected, and the quarter when the audits were made. Notice that
blocks 1-23 have been reserved for this information.
Space at the bottom of the form is provided to give the total number
of analyses performed during the quarter for the specific pollutant/method.
This will be used to calculate audit rate and to generate the probability
levels associated with the summary statistics.
The auditor and supervisor should sign and date the form. The completed
form (or duplicate) is then sent to the EPA Regional Office.
The information required or already preceded is as follows:
BLOCK NO.
1 Preceded T, S, or N for Total Suspended Particulate
Matter, Sulfur Dioxide, or Nitrogen Dioxide,
respectively. Use the appropriate form for the
pollutant being audited.
-------
BLOCK NO.
2-3 SAROAD State Code; for example, 01 in this block
refers to Alabama. (See Appendix A.)
4 - 7 SAROAD area code; for example, if 1860 were coded
in these blocks following state "01," then it would
refer to samples collected at any site located in
Huntsville. (For complete area codes see Reference SO
If audits were made at a sampling of all sites
measuring the specific pollutant method within the
designated state during the same quarter and if this
audit information is intended to extend to all the
sampling sites in the state, then 9999 should be
coded in these blocks.
8 The agency responsible for collection and analysis
of the original samples. (See Code Table 1.)
9-10 The SAROAD project code classification designating
the objective of the monitoring is shown by Code
Table 2. These forms are preprinted with (QA) in
these columns to designate that all data reported
thereon are for quality assurance purposes.
11 The time interval of collection is always "7" for
the three attached forms, implying 24-hour sampling,
so the "7" is preprinted. The time interval may be
different for other methods.
12 - 13 The year that samples are collected.
-------
BLOCK NO.
14 The calendar quarter that measurements were taken.
Quarters defined in groups of 3 months, beginning with
January of each year. (1-Jan-March, etc.)
15 - 23 Preceded SAROAD parameter, method, and units for each
pollutant method.
24 - 27 These columns are used to designate decimal point
alignment in measurement of operation under consideration.
The preprinted numbers in the "DP" column correspond with
the darkened arrows in each of the data fields.
On the "T" form for suspended particulate (11101)
column 26 is used to distinguish between ways of
measuring flow rate. "1" is to be used if measurement
is reported in cubic feet/minute and "2" is used for
cubic meters/minute. The values for flow rate in cubic
feet/minute should be recorded to the nearest whole
number, and a "0" entered in the DP block 25. Values
for cubic meters/minute should be recorded to the
nearest 0.01 with a "2" entered in the DP block 25.
The remainder of the form is specific to each of the pollutant
monitoring systems being audited. It should be noted, however, that if only
the alternate check is used, i.e., an independent sample is collected,
analyzed, and processed, only columns 50-59 need be coded. Refer back to
the OAQPS Guideline Document Number 1.2-020 for details. Analagously, if
columns 30-49 are coded with audit checks, then columns 50-59 would be left
blank. (There is a possibility that a monitoring laboratory would decide to
-------
use both types of audits simultaneously, but this is not required.)
III. SPECIFIC INFORMATION
a) Total Suspended Particulate Matter
For total suspended particulate matter, there are two audit
checks on the system. The first audits the weighing process;
the second audits the air flow. It is reasonable to assume that
the sample collected for the weight check is not related to the
sample being collected during the flow-rate check. Hence, in
general, the line referring to the first audit of the weight does
not imply that it matches up with the sample collected during the
flow-rate check.
COLUMN NO. INFORMATION
28 - 29 Preceded audit number. If more than 15 audits are
taken during the quarter, simply use another coding
form, but renumber starting with 16.
30 Preceded number 1 to signal that the original weight
in mg is to follow.
31 - 34 Original weight of the exposed filter in mg. Record to
nearest whole mg.
35 Preceded number 2 to signal that the check weight in
mg is to follow.
36 - 39 Weight of the exposed filter, recorded to the nearest
whole mg.
While it is not necessary to subtract the check weight from the original
weight, each auditor is encouraged to do so. A history of these differences
will soon enable the auditor to develop a signalling system, indicating
-------
when something is out of intuitive limits, so that corrective action can be
taken.
COLUMN NO. INFORMATION
40 Preceded number 3 to signal that the original flow rate
3
in cubic feet per minute (ft /min) is to follow.
41 - 44 Original flow rate made on-site. Record the flow rate
3 3
in ft /min to the nearest whole unit or in m /min to the
nearest 0.01.
45 Preceded number 4 to signal that the calibration check
data will follow.
46 - 49 The independent flow rate check using a reference flow
rate device is made on-site. This result should be
recorded in column 46-49 to the nearest whole unit if
3 3
ft /min or to the nearest 0.01 m /min.
While it is not required, the difference should be recorded for internal
audit assurance purposes.
b and c) Sulfur Dioxide and Nitrogen Dioxide
For S0_ and N02 there are two audit checks on the
measurement system. The first checks the analysis portion
with respect to reference samples, and the second checks
the air flow at a sampling site. For these pollutants, the
audit number serves only to order the results and does not
mean that reference sample audit number 1 is related to
flow calibration check number 1.
COLUMN NO. INFORMATION
28 - 29 Preceded audit number. If more than 15 audits are
taken during the quarter, simply use another coding
-------
COLUMN NO. INFORMATION
form but remember starting with 16.
30 Preceded number 1 to signal that the original (target)
result of the reference sample in ug/ml will follow.
31 - 34 Target result of the reference sample in ug/ml recorded
to three decimal places.
35 Preceded number 2 to signal that the regular analyst's
result will follow.
36 - 39 The regular analyst's result of the reference sample
in ug/ml to three decimal places.
The difference between the target result (columns 31-34) and the regular
analyst's result (columns 36-39) should be recorded and examined for internal
quality assurance purposes. This difference can form the basis for deciding
how precise and accurate are the routine laboratory analyses. While it is
recommended that each laboratory actually subtract this difference, it will
be automatically calculated from the data and, as a consequence, need not
be coded on the form.
COLUMN NO. INFORMATION
40 Preceded number 3 to signal that the flow rate result
from the calibrated rotameter will follow.
41 - 44 Record the calibrated rotameter results in cubic
3
centimeters per minute (cm /min) to the nearest whole
3
cm .
45 Preceded number 4 to signal that the operator's sampled
rate will follow.
-------
COLUMN NO. INFORMATION
46 - 49 The operator's recording of the sampled flow rate in
cm /min.
The difference should be considered by each laboratory for internal quality
assurance purposes.
If there are problems or questions contact:
Environmental Monitoring and
Support Laboratory (MD-75)
Environmental Protection Agency
Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27711
-------
1
Audit
No.
28 29
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
QUALITY ASSURANCE PERFORMANCE AUDIT DATA FORM
TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICULATES FOR 24-hour OR GREATER SAMPLING INTERVAL
(Agency name)
St««
O.M.B. No. 158 - R0126 Thru September 1976
Area
nn
(State name)
Agency Project Time Year Quarter
D iiH 0 ED D
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 DP
IT]
24
(EPA Region No.)
Exposed filter weight, milligrams
OP
D
25
Units (1 if f|3/mnL;
I I 2 if m3/min.)
234567
Parameter code Method
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | | 9 | 1 |
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
DP
m
27
Units
HE
v 22 S3
Alternate check. Jig/m3
Original Check Difference
30 31 32 33 34
1
1
1
1
1
1
,
1
1
"
1
1
_ 1
1
-
A
A
t
A
A
t
A
t
_A
i
A
A
.1
. A
A
1
,
»
1
k
k
t
1
k
1
1
1
35 36 37 38 39
2
7
2
_JL
2
_2_
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
.....
J
A
A
A
A
I
A
A
A
A
. J
J
-i
A
k
k
k
k.
k
k
k
k
k
k
k
k
k
k
k
_
--
-
-
Original . Check Difference
40 41 42 43 44
3
JL
0_
_3_
3
3
3
_3_
3
^3
3
3
_3_
3
-
__
-
. ...
-
_..
45 46 47 48 49
4
_4_
_4_
4
_4_
_4_
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
_!
4
--
_
....
Original Check Diff trance
50 51 52 53 54
&
5
5
'i
S
s
5
5
5
5
5
_&.
5
5
_.
j
i
i
t
i
A
A
t
A
i
t
t
i
J
i
a.
k
k
k
.
k
,
1
k
|
k
>
k
k
L
55 56 57 58 59
6
6
6
6
6
fi
(j
6
6
6
B
6
_6_
6
A
A
A
A
1
A
t
1
1
1
A
J
t
A
.
k
k
It
I
k.
I
k,
k
...
I 9 I ' [ | | I j " Toial Number of Analyses Processed During Audit Period
A Denotes Decimal Point Alignment
(Signature of Auditor)
(Signature otSupervisor)
Figure 1. TSP form, performance audit data.
(Date)
(Date)
SEND COMPLETED FORM TO:
Quality Assurance Branch (MD 771
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27711
-------
EL
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
QUALITY ASSURANCE PERFORMANCE AUDIT DATA FORM
FOR SULFUR DIOXIDE FOR 24-hour OR GREATER SAMPLING INTERVAL
O.M.B. No. 158 R012B Thru September 1976
State
Am
DP
Flow rate check, m^/min.
I
2345
Parameter Code
4 2
4 0 1
15 16 17 18 19
DP
1 1 I
6 7
Method (Into
20 21 22 23
27
Alternate check, /ug/irr
Original Check Difference
30 31 .1? 33 31 !', 36 37 38 39
. ' A 'A I j
1 * -A ;
1 A A .
t A A
t A A i . I i
' 1 ' r !
i A - A | ' i i
' A A .
> A 'A : , ,
i A A
i A A
A A .
A A
A A
' A A
A A i
Original Check Difference
40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49
-' ' Tl- i J ! ! : 1
.3 1 i i ; ; i i j . j
3 . At" i A i ! .
! ! 1 1 ' ' '
3 i t :* :-t ! :
^3, i i A 1 4 i A I i. . , . ;
V ; ' * l« ! 1 " i . !
3 t :" ! I i
3 i i i I I ; , 4
3 : . A ; 4 ; , j 4
! i 1 . i , ; 1
i i A I 4 < i : 4
' i ' ! A : - ; ; i ! i , ', ' ,
1 . A i ' , A
J A « 4 ,
J A i . i A ,
J . A ; <1 i i A i
Original Check Oiffennct
50 51 K 53 .54 55 56 B7 58 59
.5 , A .6 . ' . A
.5 .A , 5. . . A
,5 AD A
AC A
L> . A i ..I). ^..^. A _
II ' '
,3 A .6 A
j- 5 A . 6 . .A
i A 6 A
5 . AC A
'. A b A
. b A » A
b A >< A
A « A
' A i. A
A A
-- Total Number of Analyses Processed During Audit Period
Denotes Decimal Point Alignment
(Signature of Auditor)
(Signature of Supervisor)
Figure 2. S02 form, performance audit data.
(Date)
(Date)
SEND COMPLETED FORM TO:
Quality Assurance Branch (MD-77)
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27711
-------
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
QUALITY ASSURANCE PERFORMANCE AUDIT DATA FORM
FOR NITROGEN DIOXIDE FOR Z4-kour OR GREATER SAMPLING INTERVAL
O.M.B. No. 158 - R0126 Thru September 1976
Agency
D
Audit
No.
28 Z'l
r
o
U>
Project
|~Q I A |
9 10
(State name)
Time
m
(Agency nam«)
Year Quarter
Stan
Area
(EPA Region No.)
12 13 14
OP
24
Measurement of reference samples. Ml/ml
DP
25
234567
Parameter Code Method
20 21
42602
Flow rate check, m^/min.
15 16 17 18 19
OP
27
Alternate check, /uj/m3
Units
22 23
Original Check Difference
30 31 32 33 34 36 36 37 38 39
'.j.1 .:.;
- ' ! A 2 A
I
1. A . . 2. 4. j , , . . . .
'.A 2. A , : -;
: li , i _ 2. .._A 1... i :
t A ', 2. Ai.
1 A . 2, A
i A * A [
< A ? A
' A 2 A
1 A ? i
1 A ? A
i
i
t
i
i
j
j.
i
' A ? A ,
1 A 'A 1 ,
'A :' A
J
i
, i
Original Check Difference
40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49
;.? i ]
L 3 !
ij j
-3 i
L.3 i...
r,
!
i
i
i
A
J
....i. I ..-a1
3
3 ,
3
3
3
3
3
;
i
A
t
A
A
i
4
' f4
^ t4
» .4.,
i
i
i
k
i
i
4
Vj
4
4
J
t
A
_._J
A
;
i
A
i
A
A
A
A
A
A > j t
3
k
L j
k
L
i
j
k L j_ _!._.:_.
k
k
k
k
i
i
k
k
+ " i : : *
1 "l
j
I
i
j
i
i
I < <
t
f
ill " : '. A
Original Check Difference
50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59
5
5
5
5
_5
5
..5
A . [s .A
f |6_ , . A _ .
^
j 4
. i. L A
T |
J
; A
5
5
5
5
< !)
A
4
k U , . A
k.. . |j , A
k- i Lfi_l L.A__
"'I l~ I
k 1 [6 . A
k 1 1 6 - i A . .
I !
k j i-6 , A
M I6 : *
A (e ; ,, A
1 !
I 4 ic A
A (: A
* ; 4 ' » A
A " A
' : . A fi A
Pal 9 I f T I I T J T°'al Num'le">' Analyses Processed Dorin| Audit Period:
£ Denotes Decimal Point Alignment
(Signature of Auditor)
Figure 3. N02 form, performance audit data.
(Signature of Supervisor)
(Date)
(Date)
SEND COMPLETED FORM TO:
Quality Assurance Branch (MD-77)
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27711
-------
REFERENCES
1. Fair, D.H., G.B. Morgan, and C.E. Zimmer. SAROAD System Description
and Data Coding Manual. National Air Pollution Control Administration,
Research Triangle Park, N.C. Publication Number APTD 68-8. 1968.
2. Nehls, G.J., D.H. Fair, and J.B. Clements. National Air Data Bank
Open for Business. Environmental Science and Technology. 4^
November 1970.
3. Fair, D.H., J.B. Clements, and G.B. Morgan. SAROAD Parameter Coding
Manual. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, N.C.
Publication Number APTD 0663. 1971.
4. User's Manual, SAROAD. Environmental Protection Agency, Research
Triangle Park, N.C. Publication Number APTD 0663. 1971.
5. Fair, D.H. SAROAD Station Coding Manual. Publication Number APTD 0907,
Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, N.C. Revised
1972.
6. Nehls, G.J., and G.G- Akland. Procedures for Handling Aerometric
Data. J. Air Pollution Control Association, 23, March 1973.
7. Air Quality Standards, Quarterly Reporting of Data. Federal Register.
38:21, February 1, 1973.
-------
Code Table 1. AGENCY TYPE
A EPA group responsible for atmospheric surveillance
B EPA group responsible for meteorological activity
C EPA group responsible for effects research
D EPA group responsible for atmospheric research
E EPA group responsible for abatement activity
F State agency
G County agency
H City agency
I District agency
J Private
K Institution (university, college, etc.)
L Military
M International agency
N Other Federal nonmilitary agencies
0-Y Open for future expansion
Z Other
Code Table 2. PROJECT CLASSIFICATIONS
Long-term surveillance codes
01 Population-oriented surveillance
02 Source-oriented ambient surveillance
03 Background surveillance
Short-term surveillance codes
04 Complaint investigation
05 Special studies
06 Episode monitoring
07-99 For Federal networks and future expansion
08 Precipitation study
10 CAMP
QA Quality Assurance
14
-------
APPENDIX A
SAROAD STATE CODES
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire ...
New Jersey
New Mexico
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
New York 33
North Carolina 34
North Dakota 35
Ohio 36
Oklahoma 37
Oregon 38
Pennsylvania 39
Puerto Rico 40
Rhode Island 41
South Carolina 42
South Dakota 43
Tennessee 44
Texas 45
Utah 46
Vermont 47
Virginia 48
Washington 49
West Virginia 50
Wisconsin 51
Wyoming ." 52
15
-------
TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
'>< ica
------- |