Multi Agency Radiological Laboratory Analytical Protocols Manual MARLAP

Multi-Agency Radiological Laboratory Analytical Protocols Manual: MARLAP Presentation to the Radiation Advisory Committee/Science Advisory Board April 23, 2002 Presenter: John Griggs U.S. EPA Description of MARLAP A multi-agency guidance manual for project planners and managers and radioanalytical laboratories Participants include: EPA, DOE, NRC, DOD, NIST, USGS, FDA, Commonwealth of Kentucky, State of California Consequences of Current Lack of Guidance  Existing data frequently not adequate for decision making  Increased likelihood of repeated analyses and additional cost  Potential erosion of public confidence in work performed at sites Goal of MARLAP Ultimate goal of MARLAP is to provide guidance and a framework: to assure that laboratory radioanalytical data meet a program's or project's specific needs and requirements MARLAP Objectives Providing a framework and an information resource for using a performance-based approach for radioanalytical laboratory work Promoting a directed planning process involving radioanalytical laboratory expertise Providing guidance on how to link project planning, implementation and assessment from an analytical perspective MARLAP Objectives (cont'd) Making collective knowledge and experience in radioanalytical laboratory work widely available Providing guidance on obtaining and evaluating laboratory services MARLAP Written for project managers and planners and radioanalytical laboratory personnel Consistent with relevant guidance such as ISO, ANSI, ASTM, and agency documents Performance-based approach instead of a prescribed approach Data Collection Activities Which MARLAP Supports Cleanup of Contaminated Sites Environmental Monitoring Waste Management Site Characterization Post-Accident Response Background Studies DQOs and MQOs Data Quality Objectives (DQOs) Outputs of a directed planning process Address sampling and analytical uncertainties Measurement Quality Objectives (MQOs) Project-specific requirement for select analytical parameters (e.g., method uncertainty, detection limit) Analytical portion of the DQOs MQOs Example Analytical Parameters Method Uncertainty Method’s Detection Capability Method’s Quantification Capability Example MQO A standard uncertainty of 0.10 pCi/g or less is required at the action level of 1.0 pCi/g Role of MQOs Method selection and evaluation Criteria for method selection Basis for method performance demonstration Ongoing data and performance evaluation Criteria for QC and PE samples Criteria for select sample parameters (e.g., measurement uncertainty) Final data evaluation Criteria for data validation Analytical criteria for data quality assessment (DQA) Deriving MQOs from DQOs Key inputs to the process Action level Gray region Information on matrix and analyte Establishing MQOS – MARLAP provides: Mathematical framework General rules and recommendations Manual Outline Part 1 Ch.1 Introduction Ch.2 Project Planning Process Ch.3 Key Analytical Planning Issues Ch.4 Project Plan Documents Ch.5 Obtaining Laboratory Services Ch.6 Selection and Application of an Analytical Method Ch.7 Evaluating Methods and Laboratories Ch.8 Radiochemical Data Verification and Validation Ch.9 Data Quality Assessment Manual Outline Part 2 Ch.10 Field and Sampling Issues Ch.11 Sample Receipt, Inspection and Tracking Ch.12 Laboratory Sample Preparation Ch.13 Sample Dissolution Ch.14 Separation Techniques Ch.15 Nuclear Counting Instrumentation Ch.16 Instrument Calibration and Source Preparation Ch.17 Data Acquisition, Reduction and Reporting Ch.18 Laboratory Quality Control Ch.19 Measurement Statistics Ch.20 Laboratory Waste Management Manual Review Schedule Internal federal/state agency reviews completed Manual was revised based on 2,000+ review comments Available for peer and public review February-July 2000 July 2001 Currently underway Next Steps Revise manual based on public and peer review comments Develop an Executive Summary – “MARLAP Roadmap” Finalize glossary Develop implementation tools •Training courses •Software programs •Detailed example scenarios