QA - Pb Analysis Audit¶
Requirements for the Pb (lead) analysis audit program can be found in 40 CFR Part 58 Appendix A section 3.4.6.
Each laboratory analyzing Pb filters receives Pb strips that are prepared with a known amount of Pb. The Pb strips can be supplied by USEPA (OAQPS), or made by the PQAO’s analyzing laboratory.
The analyzing laboratory analyzes the strip and reports the mass to the PQAO (or reporting organization) for entry into AQS. The known mass, and the analyzing laboratory’s determination of the mass, comprise the pair of values submitted on the transaction, and are used to calculate QA statistics.
Pb strips should be analyzed every quarter (or sampling quarter for PSD). Three samples in each of 2 ranges are required every quarter, distributed over the quarter evenly. The ranges are defined as equivalent ambient Pb concentrations of:
Parameter |
Range |
Equivalent ambient Pb concentration (ug/m3) |
Acceptable Levels |
---|---|---|---|
TSP LC (14129) |
1 |
30 - 100% of Pb NAAQS |
4 - 40 ug/strip[1] |
TSP LC (14129) |
2 |
200 - 300% of Pb NAAQS |
41 - 125 ug/strip |
PM10 LC (85129) |
1 |
30 - 100% of Pb NAAQS |
1 - 4 ug/filter |
PM10 LC (85129) |
2 |
200 - 300% of Pb NAAQS |
5 - 11 ug/filter |
[1]Acceptable audit levels based on assessment of various monitoring organizations.
Format¶
Seq. |
Name |
Description |
Formatting Rules |
Required |
Key |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Quality Assurance transaction identifier. |
Must = QA |
Always |
||
2 |
Indicator for Insert, Update, or Delete action. |
Must = I, U, or D |
Always |
||
3 |
Indicates the specific QA assessment associated with the transaction. |
Must = Pb Analysis Audit |
Always |
Y |
|
4 |
Agency Code of organization performing assessment. |
Must exist in AGENCIES reference table. |
Always |
||
5 |
Agency Code of organization responsible for the quality of data for Monitoring Organization. |
Must exist in AGENCIES Reference Table. |
Always |
||
6 |
The AQS parameter code assigned to the monitor in AQS. |
Must exist in PARAMETERS reference table. |
Always |
Y |
|
7 |
Date that the assessment was performed |
YYYYMMDD. |
Always |
Y |
|
8 |
A unique number associated with an assessment performed at a site on a given day. Value should be “1” unless additional same assessments are performed. |
Integer. |
Always |
Y |
|
9 |
Units for mass of lead on test strip. Required by Part 58.3.3.4.(c) to be unit code 077 (micrograms). |
Must = 077 |
Unless Delete |
||
10 |
The mass of lead reported by lab for level 1. |
Decimal. |
Insert |
||
11 |
The known mass of lead on the test strip for level 1. |
Decimal (must be in range of mass values for audit level 1 in AUDIT LEVELS table in database). |
Insert |
||
12 |
The mass of lead reported by lab for level 2. |
Decimal. |
Insert |
||
13 |
The known mass of lead on the test strip for level 2. |
Decimal (must be in range of mass values for audit level 1 in AUDIT LEVELS table in database). |
Insert |