EPA-600/4-7 7-001
January 1977 Environmental Monitoring Series
ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY LABORATORY
INTERCOMPARISON STUDIES PROGRAM
FY 1977
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Las Vegas, Nevada 89114
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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.
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EPA-600/4-77-001
January 1977
ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY
LABORATORY INTERCOM?ARISON STUDIES PROGRAM
FY 1977
by
Quality Assurance Branch
Monitoring Systems Research and Development Division
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
Las Vegas, Nevada 89114
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND SUPPORT LABORATORY
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89114
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DISCLAIMER
This report has been reviewed by the Environmental Monitoring and Support
Laboratory-Las Vegas, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and approved for
publication. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute
endorsement or recommendation for use.
11
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PREFACE
Quality assurance is an integral part of any viable environmental moni-
toring activity. The primary goals of the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency's (EPA) quality assurance program are to improve and document the
credibility of environmental measurements. To achieve these goals, quality
assurance is needed in nearly all segments of monitoring activities and should
cover personnel, methods selection, equipment, and data handling procedures.
Five major functions, each essential to an effective quality assurance
effort, comprise EPA's quality assurance program.
• Promulgation of standardized methods of
measurement
• Distribution of standard reference materials
• Issuance of guidelines and procedures
• Training and technical assistance
• Evaluation and certification of monitoring
activities
This manual has been prepared to assist laboratories involved with en-
vironmental radiation measurements in developing and maintaining a quality
control program and documenting the precision and accuracy of their data.
All EPA monitoring programs are requested to make use of this document in
planning their own radiation measurements and in assisting the States in
carrying out radiation monitoring activities.
Comments concerning the utility of this document, along with any sug-
gestions for possible changes and revisions, are welcomed. Questions on
matters related to quality assurance of environmental measurements in various
fields should be directed to the following person(s):
Air Pollution
Mr. Thomas Clark
Quality Assurance Branch
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
111
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Pesticides
Mr. Jack Thompson, Chief
Analytical Chemistry Branch
Environmental Toxicology Division
Health Effects Research Laboratory
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
Radiation
Mr. Arthur N. Jarvis, Chief
Quality Assurance Branch
Monitoring Systems Research and Development Division
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
Las Vegas, Nevada 89114
Water
Mr. John Winter, Chief
Quality Assurance Branch
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
Cincinnati, Ohio 45268
Periodically, manuals and documents will be issued which provide guide-
lines to be followed in all phases of monitoring activities. Use of these
guidelines throughout the Agency will enable a uniform approach to be estab-
lished within EPA which ultimately can be implemented at the State level.
This should permit a significant improvement in the validity and reliability
of environmental data collected throughout the Nation.
The implementation of a total and meaningful national environmental
quality assurance effort cannot succeed without the full support of all moni-
toring programs. Your cooperation is appreciated.
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CONTENTS
Page
Preface ill
The Laboratory Intercomparison Studies Program 1
Types of Environmental Samples Distributed 2
Analysis of Data 3
Participation in the Laboratory Intercomparison
Studies Program 3
Statistical Calculations 4
Tables
1. Summary of Cross-check Programs 9
2. Cross-check Sample Distribution Schedule 10
3. Laboratory Precision: One Standard Deviation
Values for Various Analyses 11
Figures
1. Results report form 12
2. Sample analysis and report of participant's data 14
3. Control chart 16
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THE LABORATORY INTERCOMPARISON STUDIES PROGRAM
Environmental measurements of radiation are made daily by many Federal,
State, local, and private agencies. The data from these measurements are
used for a wide variety of purposes including assessment of health effects,
the establishment of standards and guides, and for enforcement activities.
It is therefore imperative that the precision and accuracy of the data be
assured in order that policy decisions concerning environmental quality are
based on valid and comparable data of known reliability.
In order to attain this goal, an Agency-wide quality assurance program
has been implemented within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
In the area of radiation, quality control responsibilities have been assigned
to the Quality Assurance Branch at the EPA's Environmental Monitoring and
Support Laboratory-Las Vegas which carries out a program designed to en-
courage the development and implementation of quality control procedures for
sample collection, laboratory analysis, and data handling and reporting.
A major objective of this program is to assist laboratories involved in
environmental radiation measurements to develop and maintain both an intra-
laboratory and an interlaboratory quality control program. In part, this is
accomplished through an extensive laboratory intercomparison study ("cross-
check") program involving environmental media (milk, water, air, food, soil,
and gases) and a variety of radionuclides with activities at or near environ-
mental levels.
Simulated environmental samples, containing known amounts of one or more
radionuclides, are prepared and routinely distributed to all laboratories
upon request. These laboratories perform the required analyses and return
their data to the Quality Assurance Branch for statistical analysis and
comparison with known values and analytical values obtained by other partici-
pating laboratories. A report and a control chart are returned to each
participant. The program thus enables each laboratory to document the pre-
cision and accuracy of its radiation data, identify instrument and procedural
problems, and to compare its performance with that of other laboratories.
Each laboratory making environmental measurements for radiation should
have an internal quality control program in operation to insure that all
instrumentation is calibrated and functioning, and that analytical procedures
are being carried out properly. Such a program includes continual monitoring
of instrumentation, the plotting of instrument control charts, frequent
analysis of replicate samples to check precision, and the regular measurement
of samples to which known amounts of activity have been added to check the
accuracy of systems.
Participation in a laboratory intercomparison study does not automatical-
ly assure the precision and accuracy of a laboratory's data and should not be
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considered as a substitute for a continuous quality control program within a
laboratory. Intercomparison data may be useful for documenting precision and
accuracy, and helping to indicate instrument or procedural problems. Par-
ticipation in intercomparison studies is useful in augmenting a laboratory's
quality control program by serving as a check on its internal quality control
program.
You are encouraged to have your laboratory participate or expand par-
ticipation in the cross-check program of the Quality Assurance Branch of the
EMSL-LVs Monitoring Systems Research and Development Division.
TYPES OF ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLES DISTRIBUTED
The current laboratory intercomparison studies program covers the analy-
sis of a variety of media containing various levels of radioactivity. These
include:
Milk: Four-liter milk samples containing potassium, strontium-89,
strontium-90, iodine-131, cesium-137, and barium-140 are
distributed on a bimonthly basis.
Water: Water containing several different mixtures of radioactive
materials is included in the cross-check program.
• Four-liter samples for the analysis of gross alpha and
gross beta activity are sent bimonthly to participating
laboratories.
• Four-liter samples containing chromium-51, zinc-65,
cobalt-60, ruthenium-106, cesium-134, and cesium-137 are
distributed bimonthly for analysis of gamma emitters.
• Fifty-milliliter samples for tritium analysis are dis-
tributed on a bimonthly basis.
• Four-liter water samples containing plutonium-239 are
shipped to laboratories twice a year.
• Four-liter samples of well water containing radium-226
and/or radium-228 are distributed four times a year.
Air: Three 2-inch-diameter air filters are sent out on a quarterly
basis for gross alpha, gross beta, plutonium-239, cesium-137,
and strontium-90 analysis.
Soil: Thirty-five-gram soil samples, containing plutonium-239 and
plutonium-238 or thorium-228, thorium-230 and thorium-232,
are distributed twice each year.
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Food: Two 4-liter food slurries containing strontium-89, strontium-90,
iodine-131, cesium-137, barium-140, and potassium are sent to
participants quarterly.
Urine: Fifty-milliliter urine samples containing tritium are shipped
on a quarterly basis.
Gases: One-liter, steel, gas cylinders, containing 10 liters (S.T.P.)
of krypton-85 , are distributed four times each year .
Sample size, approximate activity levels, type of analysis, and other
pertinent information concerning the cross-check samples are summarized in
Table 1. The distribution schedule is outlined in Table 2.
A laboratory may participate in any one or all of the studies described.
ANALYSIS OF DATA
Each participating laboratory is expected to carry out three independent
determinations for each radionuclide included in a particular cross-check
study and to report its results on a form (Figure 1) provided with the
sample.
Upon receipt of the reports from all participating laboratories, the
data are transferred to punch cards for computer analysis. As indicated in
the sample calculations, this analysis includes determination of the labora-
tory standard deviation, calculation of the normalized range, normalized
deviation, sample standard deviation, and the grand average of all labora-
tories. The analytical precision values, used as a basis for judging labora-
tory performance for specific nuclides, are summarized in Table 3.
A report is generated containing data reported by participating labora-
tories, listed according to their identity code, along with the results of
the analysis (Figure 2) . In addition, a control chart is generated and re-
produced for each radionuclide included in the sample (Figure 3) . The
control charts are updated each time a laboratory participates in a particu-
lar cross-check study, thus giving each laboratory a continuous record of its
performance.
A letter giving the known v^iue for each radionuclide is mailed to
participants approximately 2 weeks after the report due date. This is
followed by a complete report which includes a copy of the computer printout
and control chart.
PARTICIPATION IN THE
LABORATORY INTERCOMPARISON STUDIES PROGRAM
Any laboratory involved in, or concerned with, environmental radiation
monitoring and surveillance is eligible to participate in any one or all of
the cross-checks described. Moreover, dependent upon personnel available and
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their workload, a laboratory may elect to receive samples on a less frequent
basis than indicated on the distribution schedule (Table 2).
To become a participant in the laboratory intercomparison studies pro-
gram, complete one of the forms included at the end of this publication and
return to:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
Quality Assurance Branch
P.O. Box 15027
Las Vegas, NV 89114
Should the laboratory require additional types of cross-check samples at'
some later date, a second form indicating the samples desired should be
submitted.
STATISTICAL CALCULATIONS
To illustrate the computations performed by the computer, example calcu-
lations are given using data for three samples analyzed at one laboratory
(Laboratory D, see Figure 2).
The experimental data are listed and the mean, experimental sigma and
range are computed. These statistics provide measures of the central ten-
dency and dispersion of the data.
The normalized range is computed by first finding the mean range, R,
the control limit, CL, and the standard error of the range, aR. The nor-
malized range measures the dispersion of the data (precision) in such a form
that control charts may be used. Control charts allow one to readily compare
past analytical performance with present performance. In the example, the
normalized range equals 0.3 which is less than 3, which is the upper warning
level. The precision of the results is acceptable.
The normalized deviation is calculated by computing the deviation and
the standard error of the mean, am- The normalized deviation allows one to
readily measure central tendency (accuracy) through the use of control charts.
Trends in analytical accuracy can be determined in this manner. For this
example, the normalized deviation is -0.7 which falls between +2 and -2,
which are the upper and lower warning levels. The accuracy of the data is
acceptable.
Finally, the experimental error of all laboratories, the grand average,
and the normalized deviation from the grand average are calculated in order
to ascertain the performance of all the laboratories as a group. Any bias in
methodology or instrumentation may be found from these results.
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EXAMPLE CALCULATIONS (Laboratory D Data, see Figure 2)
Experimental data:
Known value = y = 3273 pCi 3H/liter urine on September 24, 1974
Expected laboratory precision = a = 357 pCi/liter
Laboratory Sample Result
D xi 3060 pCi/liter
D x2 3060 pCi/liter
D x3 3240 pCi/liter
Mean = x
N
"
= 3120 pCi/liter
where N = number of results = 3
Experimental sigma = s
S
/(3060)2 + (3060)2 +
v
(3240)2 - (3°6° + 306° + 3240)2
s = 3
= 103.9 pCi/liter
Range = r
r = |maximum result - minimum result]
= |3240 - 3060| = 180 pCi/liter
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Range Analysis (RNG ANLY)*
Mean range = R
R = d2O
= (1.693) (357)
= 604.4 pCi/liter
Control limit = CL
CL = R + 3a
K
= Di*R
= (2.575) (604.4)
= 1556 pCi/liter
Standard error of the range = CR
aR = (R + 3aR - I) v 3
where d2* = 1.693 for N = 3
where
- R) T 3
= (1556 - 604.4) v 3
= 317.2 pCi/liter
Let range = r = wR + xaR = 180 pCi/liter
Define normalized range = w + x
for r > R, w = 1
then r = wR + xO = R + xa
R
R
= 2.575 for N = 3
or
x =
r - R
therefore
w+x = 1+x = 1+
r ~ R
-
aR
* Rosenstein, M., and A. S. Goldin, Statistical Techniques for Quality Control
of Environmental Radioassay, AQCS Report Stat-1, U.S. Department of Health,
Education and Welfare, PHS, Nov 1964
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for r < R, x = 0
then r = wR + xn = wR
K
or
therefore w+x = w+0 = —
R
since r < R (180 < 604.4)
180
W + X =
= 0.30
Normalized deviation of the mean from the known value = ND
Deviation of mean from the known value = D
D = x - V
= 3120 - 3273
= - 153 pCi/liter
Standard error of the mean =
-------
Experimental sigma (all laboratories) - s (See Figure 2)
N ^2
N
2
N
-*/ 1=1
s
162639133 -
14
= 149 pCi/liter
Grand average = GA
N
N
49345
15
= 3290 pCi/liter
Normalized deviation from the grand average = ND1
Deviation of the mean from the grand average = D1
D1 = x - GA
= 3120 - 3290
= - 170 pCi/liter
»• - g^
m
- 170
206.1
= - 0.8
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TABLE 1. SUMMARY OF CROSS-CHECK PROGRAMS*
j SAMPLE
Milk
Water
Gross a, 8*
Gamma
3H
239PU*
Radium
Air
Gross a, B*
239Pu*
Soil*
Diet
Urine
Gas
ANALYSIS
89Sr, 90Sr, 131I,
137Cs, '""Ba, K
Gross a, 6
60Co, 106Ru, 13*Cs,
137Cs, 51Cr, 65Zn
3H
239PU
226Ra, 228Ra
a, B. 9°Sr, 137Cs
239Pu
238Pu, 239Pu
228Th/ 230Thf 232Th
89Sr, 90Sr, 131I,
137Cs, i*»Ba, K
3H
85Kr
ACTIVITY
PER ISOTOPE
< 200 pCi/liter
< 100 pCi/liter
< 500 pCi/liter
< 3500 pCi/liter
< 10 pCi/liter
< 20 pCi/liter
< 200 pCi/sample
< 2 pCi/s ample
< 50 pCi/sample
< 200 pCi/kg
< 3500 pCi/liter
< 20 pCi/ml
QUANTITY
SUPPLIED
^ 4 liters
^ 4 liters
a- 4 liters
^ 50 ml
^ 4 liters
^ 4 liters
3 - 2"-diam.
air filters
3 - 2"-diam.
air filters
^35 grains
2 - 4-liter
samples
^ 50 ml
10 liters
PRESERVATIVE
Formalin
0 . 5N HNO 3
DISTRIBUTION
Bimonthly
Bimonthly
!
0.5N HNO 3 Bimonthly
none • Bimonthly
0 . 5N HNO 3
0 . 5N HNO 3
none
none
none
Formalin
Formalin
none
Semiannual ly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Semiannual ly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
TIME FOR
ANALYSIS
& REPORT
6 weeks
4 weeks
4 weeks
4 weeks
8 weeks
— 1
6 weeks
6 weeks i
6 weeks ;
8 weeks
8 weeks
4 weeks
6 weeks
* Laboratories are required to have the necessary licenses before receiving these samples.
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TABLE 2. CROSS-CHECK SAMPLE DISTRIBUTION SCHEDULE
(Numbers indicate week of the month)
Month
in
FY-77
1976
Oct
Nov
Dec
1977
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Milk
Sr,Y
1
1
1
1
1
1
Gross
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TABLE 3. LABORATORY PRECISION: ONE STANDARD DEVIATION VALUES FOR VARIOUS ANALYSES
Analysis
Gamma Emitters
Strontium-89
Strontium-90
Pocassium
Gross Alpha
Gross Beta
Tritium
Radium-226,
Radium-228
Plutonium,
Thorium Isotopes
Kry~con-85
Level
5 to 100 pCi/liter or kg
>100 pCi/liter or kg
5 to 100 pCi/liter or kg
>100 pCi/liter or kg
2 to 30 pCi/liter or kg
>30 pCi/liter or kg
> 0.1 g/liter or kg
420 pCi/liter
> 20 pCi/liter
4100 pCi/liter
>100 pCi/liter
<4000 pCi/liter
>4000 pCi/liter
> 0.1 pCi/liter
>0.1 pCi/liter, gram or sample
5 to 100 pCi/ml (S.T.P.)
Standard Deviation
Single Determination
5 pCi/liter
5% of known value
5 pCi/liter
5%
1.5 pCi/liter
5%
5%
5 pCi/liter
25%
5 pCi/liter
5%
Is (pCi/liter) = 169.85 x (known)'0933
10%
15%
10%
10%
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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND
SUPPORT LABORATORY
P.O. BOX 15027
LAS VEGAS. NEVADA 89114
702/736-2969
QUALITY ASSURANCE BRANCH
ANALYSIS-RESULTS
TRITIUM IN URINE CROSS-CHECK PROGRAM
Laboratory
Contact Person
Phone
Collection Date
IMPORTANT: Report results corrected for decay as of the collection date.
Please refer to instructions on back of page.
1
1,
A
i
C
0
I)
E
2
DO NOT
USE
THIS
SPACE
3 4
i
i
6
7
1
I
g
E
3H
ANALYSIS #1
ii
12
13
14
M
.»./»
ll
19
LJ
2b
•
ANALYSIS #2
71
22
.
23
._
24
23
26
37
38
29
3C
.
ANALYSIS #3
31
32
13
14
35
19 37J33
1
w|«
i.
UNITS
pCi/1
In order to be included in the final report, please send your results
no later than to:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
Quality Assurance Branch (MSQ)
P.O. Box 15027
Las Vegas, NV 69114
Figure 1. Results report form
12
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REPORT SHEET INSTRUCTIONS
1. Legibly type or print numbers and letters in the proper squares. Use
only capital letters.
2. Record lab code in columns 1 and 2 for each isotope (one isotope per
line). For a code of only one letter, use column 1.
3. Slash the letters 0 and E. Do not slash any numbers.
4. Do not use columns 3-7; they are for internal use only.
5. Data entry: (columns 11-40)
a. All numbers must be right justified (entered to far right of
field) .
b. For statistical purposes, it is important that each laboratory
report three results for each radionuclide. If, for some un-
avoidable reason, less than three values are reported, record
the data starting with the columns reserved for analysis #1
and work to the right.
c. Report results to the nearest whole number with the exceptions
of tritium and potassium (each recorded to multiples of ten)
and radium-226 (recorded to one decimal place). Decimal points
are provided on the report forms.
d. Each line of the coding form contains the name of the isotope
and its unit of activity, preprinted for your convenience.
Each line should contain information pertaining to just that
one isotope.
e. If a value is less than (LT) the minimum detectable activity
(MDA), record LT, space, then the MDA value (right justified).
Figure 1 (continued). Results report form
13
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EMSL-LV TRITIUM IN URINE CROSS-CHECK PROGRAM SEPTEMBER 1974
09/20/74 SAMPLE - A 3H
EXPECTED LABORATORY PRECISION
KNOWN VALUE
[IS, 1 DETERMINATION)
LAB
AN
CF
CF
CF
CM
CM
CM
CO
D
D
D
J
J
J
RESUL
NO D,
3269
3522
3632
3261
3373
3362
NO D,
3060
3060
3240
3255
3247
3294
EXPERIMENTAL
SIGMA
186.1
61.7
103.9
25.1
NO DATA PROVIDED
3240
3340
3190
76.4
RNG ANLY
(R = SR)
.60
.19
.30
.08
.25
AVERAGE
3474
3332
3120
3265
3257
- 3273
357
PCI/L
PCI/L
NORMALIZED DEVIATION
(GRAND AVG) (KNOWN)
.9
.2
-.8
-.1
-.2
1.0
-.7
-.0
-.1
EXPERIMENTAL SIGMA (ALL LABS)
149
GRAND AVERAGE -
3290
Figure 2. Sample analysis and report of participant's data
14
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Explanation of terms in Figure 2:
Title:
Column 1:
Column 2:
Column 3:
Columns 4
and 5:
Column 6:
Column 7:
Column 8:
Bottom of
Chart:
Program name, sample collection date, sample code letter,
analysis type, known concentration of radionuclide, expected
standard deviation of analysis - single determination.
Laboratory identification code (A, B, c, etc.).
Laboratory results (0-25 results listed down column).
Is (standard deviation) of the experimental results.
Normalized range value in "mean range + standard error of
the range" (R + a ) units for comparability. (See
R
Statistical Techniques for Quality Control of Environmental
Radioassay, AQCS Report Stat-1, November 1964, pages 4-8.)
(S = a for printing purposes.)
K R
Average value.
Normalized deviation from the grand average value of all
laboratories expressed in a units.
Normalized deviation from the known value expressed in OM
units.
Is experimental error of all laboratories, and the grand
average of all laboratories.
15
-------
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
* 1
o 0
5 -1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
-8
-9
-10
R+3
R+2
R+l
ft+0
0
EMSL-LV TRITIUM IN URINE CROSSCHECK PROGRAM
LAB - D 3H
NORMALIZED DEVIATION FROM KNOWN
1973 W74
^-A r—
^^ v
\ ^-» .
J FMAMJJAS ONDJ FMAMJ JA SOND
NORMALIZED RANGE
1973 1974
i . . , 1 , - i
1 . i
CL
WL
WL
CL
CL
WL
J FMAMJJASONDJFMAMJJASOND
Figure 3. Control chart
16
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Explanations of terms used in the control chart (Figure 3).
Title:
Upper Graph:
Lower Graph:
Name of program, laboratory code letter, and type of
analysis.
"Normalized deviation from known versus the month
of analysis." [The 95.0% (y ± 2CJ ) and the 99.7%
(M ± 3aM) confidence levels were chosen as the warning
levels and control limits respectively.]
"Normalized range values (R + aD) versus the month of
R
analysis." [The 97.5% {R + 2n ) and ^100% (R + 3n)
R R
confidence levels were chosen as the warning levels
and control limits respectively.]
17
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SUBJECT: Participation in Intercomparison Studies Program
TO: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
Quality Assurance Branch
P.O. Box 15027
Las Vegas, NV 89114
Please include our laboratory in the cross-check studies we have
indicated below. All samples are to be shipped to:
Contact Person
Title
Laboratory
Address
NRC License
and/or
Type(s)
State License Number(s)
NOTE: When requesting participation in a study containing either
nuclear byproducts or special nuclear materials, a copy of
the NRC license(s) must accompany the request.
If your laboratory prefers participation other than the pub-
lished frequency, please indicate months samples are desired.
FREQUENCY DESIRED
FREQUENCY DESIRED
SAMPLE TYPES
Milk: Sr, y
Water :
Gross a, 3
Y
3H
239pu
226Ra, 228Ra
Diet: Sr, y
BIMONTHLY
QUARTERLY
D D
1 1
n n
a n
a
a
SEMIANNUALLY
ANNUALLY
a a
a a
n n
nnnn
nnnn
SAMPLE TYPES
Air Filter:
Gross a* (3
239pu
Soil:
Pu Isotopes
Th Isotopes
Urine: 3H
Gases: 85Kr
QUARTERLY
a
a
n
n
SEMIANNUALLY
a
n
D
|
nnnn nn
I certify this laboratory is authorized to receive the samples requested.
Date
Signature
Title
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TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(Please read instructions on the reverse before completing)
1. REPORT NO.
EPA-600/4-77-001
2.
3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSION NO.
4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE
ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY LABORATORY INTERCOMPARISON
STUDIES PROGRAM, FY 1977
5. REPORT DATE
January 1977
6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
7. AUTHOR(S)
Quality Assurance Branch
Monitoring Systems Research and Development Division
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Las Vegas, NV 89114
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
1HD621
11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
Same as above
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
interim (FY-77)
14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
2PA-ORD, Office of Monitoring
ind Technical Support
15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
16. ABSTRACT
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's intercomparison studies program for
laboratories involved in environmental radiation measurements is described. The
types of environmental samples distributed, the analysis required for each sample,
the distribution schedule, and the statistical analysis and reporting of results
are discussed. Instructions and application forms are included for laboratories
desiring to participate in the program.
This document is not a research report. It is designed for use by laboratories
participating or desiring to participate in this quality assurance program.
17.
KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
DESCRIPTORS
b.IDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS C. COS AT I Field/Group
quality assurance
quality control
quantitative analysis
radioactivity
statistical quality control
07 B, E
12 A
14 D
18. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
RELEASE UNLIMITED
19. SECURITY CLASS (ThisReport)
UNCLASSIFIED
21. NO. OF PAGES
28
20. SECURITY CLASS (Thispage)
UNCLASSIFIED
22. PRICE
EPA Form 2220-1 (9-73)
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