Day 2 DQO Training Course
Module 3
The EPA 7-Step DQO Process
Step 3 - Identify Inputs
Presenter:
Sebastian Tindall
(45 minutes)
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Objectives

Identify applicable information/data needed
for making the decisions

Determine the quality of information
needed
Determine whether the historical/existing
data are sufficient to make the decisions or
whether new data are required
Determine QC protocols


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Step 3: Identify Inputs
Step 1: State the Problem
Step Objective:
To identify the informational
inputs that will be
Step 3: Identify Inputs
required to resolve the
decision statements
Step 4: Specify Boundaries
identified in Step 2, and to
Step 5: Define Decision Rules
determine which inputs
require environmental
Step 6: Specify Error Tolerances
measurements
Step 2: Identify Decisions
Step 7: Optimize Sample Design
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Step 3a - Identify Inputs
Information IN
From Previous Step
Actions
Specify Environmental Variables
to be Measured
Information OUT
To Next Step
List General Sources of Information
Decision
Statements
Determine Whether the Information
Exists
Continue Step 3
Activities
Determine the General Level of
Quality Required for the Data
Evaluate the Appropriateness of
Existing Data: Usability Assessment
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Step 3a - Identify Inputs
Information IN
From Previous Step
Actions
Specify Environmental Variables
to be Measured
Information OUT
To Next Step
List General Sources of Information
Decision
Statements
Determine which environmental variables or
other information are needed to resolve the
Continue Step 3
decision
statement.
Determine
Whether the Information
Activities
Exists
Determine the General Level of
Quality Required for the Data
Evaluate the Appropriateness of
Existing Data: Usability Assessment
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Step 3a - Identify Inputs
Information IN
From Previous Step
Actions
Specify Environmental Variables
to be Measured
Information OUT
To Next Step
List General Sources of Information
Ask general questions such as:
• “Is information on the physical properties of the media required?”
Decision
Continue Step 3
Determine
Whether
the
Information
• “Is information on the chemical/radiological characteristics of the
Statements
Activities
Exists
matrix needed?”
Determine the General Level of
Quality Required for the Data
Evaluate the Appropriateness of
Existing Data: Usability Assessment
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Step 3a - Identify Inputs
Information IN
From Previous Step
Actions
Specify Environmental Variables
to be Measured
Information OUT
To Next Step
Examples of Physical Properties:
List General Sources of Information
Soil/Sediment:
Air:
- Kd
- Temperature
- Hydraulic conductivity
- Moisture content
Decision
Continue Step 3
Determine Whether the Information
- Porosity
Statements
Exists - Percent particulate/volumeActivities
- Grain-size distribution
Determine
the General
Level of
Groundwater/Surface
Water:
Building
Materials:
Quality Required for
the Data
- pH
- Density
- Temperature
- Compaction
- Electrical conductivity
Evaluate the Appropriateness of
- Turbidity
Existing Data: Usability Assessment
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Step 3a - Identify Inputs
Information IN
From Previous Step
Actions
Specify Environmental Variables
to be Measured
Information OUT
To Next Step
Examples of Chemical / Radiological Properties:
List General Sources of Information
Groundwater/Surface Water:
Soil/Sediment:
- Concentration
- Concentration
Decision
- Activity level Determine Whether-the
Activity
level
Information
Statements
Exists
Air:
Building Materials:
- Concentration
- Concentration
Determine the General
Level level
of
- Activity level
- Activity
Continue Step 3
Activities
Quality Required for the Data
Evaluate the Appropriateness of
Existing Data: Usability Assessment
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Step 3a - Identify Inputs
Information IN
From Previous Step
Actions
Specify Environmental Variables
to be Measured
Information OUT
To Next Step
List General Sources of Information
of environmental variables of interest for which
DecisionCreate a listDetermine
Continue Step 3
Whether the
Information
environmental
measurements
may
be
required.
Statements
Activities
Exists
• Levels of lead, silver, Total Metals, etc.
• Levels of volatile
organic
compounds
(VOCs),
Determine
the General
Level of
semi-volatileQuality
organic
compounds
etc.
Required
for the(SVOCs),
Data
• Total Suspended Solids
• Temperature, pH, Eh, etc.
Evaluate
theactivities
Appropriateness of
• Alpha, Beta,
Gamma
Existing Data: Usability Assessment
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Step 3a - Identify Inputs
Information IN
From Previous Step
Actions
Specify Environmental Variables
to be Measured
Information OUT
To Next Step
List General Sources of Information
Decision
Statements
Determine Whether the Information
Exists
Identify and list the
general sources where
Continue Step 3
Activities
information on the environmental variables
to be measure might exist.
Determine the General Level of
Quality Required for the Data
Evaluate the Appropriateness of
Existing Data: Usability Assessment
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Step 3a - Identify Inputs
Information IN
From Previous Step
Actions
Specify Environmental Variables
to be Measured
Information OUT
To Next Step
List General Sources of Information
Potential Data Sources:
Modeling Data Needs:
• Decision
New data collection
• Scenario(s) - (develop)
Continue Step 3
Determine Whether the Information
•Statements
Existing data
• Parameters - (develop)
Activities
Exists
• Historical records
- Values (obtain)
• Scientific literature
- Ranges (obtain)
• Regulatory guidance Determine the General Level of
Quality Required for the Data
• Professional judgement
Obtain Modeling Inputs:
• Modeling
• Old/New environmental
measurements
Evaluate the Appropriateness of
• Scientific literature
Existing Data: Usability Assessment
• Other
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Step 3a - Identify Inputs
Information IN
Actions
From Previous Step
Specify Environmental Variables
Identify reports, historical to be Measured
Information OUT
To Next Step
data and list the source and
type of information
available.
List General Sources of Information
Decision
Statements
Determine Whether the Information
Exists
Continue Step 3
Activities
Determine the General Level of
Quality Required for the Data
Evaluate the Appropriateness of
Existing Data: Usability Assessment
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Step 3a - Identify Inputs
Information IN
From Previous Step
Actions
Specify Environmental Variables
to be Measured
Information OUT
To Next Step
From Step 2:
Consider the human health, ecological, political, cost,
and legal consequences of each action when
determining the required
levelSources
of quality.
List General
of Information
Decision
Statements
Determine Whether the Information
Exists
Continue Step 3
Activities
Determine the General Level of
Quality Required for the Data
Evaluate the Appropriateness of
Existing Data: Usability Assessment
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Step 3a - Identify Inputs
Information IN
Actions
Usability Assessment: Is data quality assured?
From Previous Step
Evaluate quality control
data
associated with
each data set:
Specify
Environmental
Variables
• Spikes (bias)
to be Measured
• Duplicates (precision)
• Blanks (evaluate contamination)
Information OUT
To Next Step
List General Sources of Information
Other considerations:
• Detection limits
• Data collection method (random, systematic, biased)
Decision
Continue Step 3
Determine Whether the Information
Statements
Remove data that are of poor quality
of
Exists or that are not representativeActivities
the population
Determine the General Level of
Quality Required for the Data
Evaluate the Appropriateness of
Existing Data: Usability Assessment
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Step 3a - Identify Inputs
Information IN
From Previous Step
Actions
Information OUT
Specify
Environmental
Variables
Usability
Assessment
(Statistical):
Are data representative
to be Measured
of the population?
To Next Step
Can the data be used to make inferences about
the population or sub-population of interest?
List General Sources of Information
Decision
Statements
Translation: Can sweeping claims be made
about the site on the basis of the results of
an estimate, e.g., the existing data.
Determine Whether the Information
Exists
Continue Step 3
Activities
Determine the General Level of
Quality Required for the Data
Evaluate the Appropriateness of
Existing Data: Usability Assessment
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Step 3a - Identify Inputs
Information IN
Actions
From Previous Step
Specify Environmental Variables
to be Measured
Information OUT
To Next Step
List General Sources of Information
Usability Assessment (CSM) : Are the data reasonable
for the proposed CSM?
Decision Do the data
Continue Step 3
fall within
thethe
range
expected for the CSM?
Determine
Whether
Information
Statements
Activities
Exists
Determine the General Level of
Quality Required for the Data
Evaluate the Appropriateness of
Existing Data: Usability Assessment
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Step 3a - Approaches
Approach 1
Use predominantly fixed traditional laboratory
analyses and specify the method specific details
at the beginning of the DQO Process and do not
change measurement objectives as more
information is obtained
This approach will contain serious flaws.
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Step 3a - Approaches (cont.)
Approach 2
Allow more field decisions to meet the
measurement objectives and allow the objectives
to be refined in the field using dynamic work
plans (TRIAD approach)
This approach will attempt to overcome the
serious flaws shown in Approach 1.
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Step 3a - Approaches (cont.)

Approach 2 - Dynamic Work Plans
– Real-time, decision making in the field allows
for a seamless flow of site activities resulting in
fewer mobilizations
– Requires more flexible contracting approach
– Requires experienced, well-trained field team
(e.g., geologists, chemists and statisticians)
either in the field or able to receive and process
electronic data in real-time
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Step 3a - Approaches (cont.)

Approach 2
– Allows collection of more data in real-time
– Allows real-time decisions to be made
– Must have flexible but established decision
trees approved by decision makers ahead of
time
– Need general statements of measurement
quality that will be interpreted by field team
– May be more costly due to higher level of
expertise required but…more defensible
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Step 3a - Approaches (cont.)
Approach 1 defines methods, precision,
accuracy, detection levels
 Approach 2 defines more general, flexible
measurement quality objectives (MQOs)

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Step 3b - Identify Inputs
Information IN
Actions
From Previous Step
Information OUT
To Next Step
Confirm that Appropriate Measurement
Methods Exist to Provide the Necessary Data
Specify the Matrix to be Measured
Identify Action Level and Basis for Level
Information
From
Previous
Step 3
Activities
Specify Required Detection Limits
Information
Needed to
Resolve
Decision
Statements
Specify the Precision Required
Specify the Accuracy Required
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Step 3b - Identify Inputs
Information IN
Actions
From Previous Step
Information OUT
To Next Step
Confirm that Appropriate Measurement
Methods Exist to Provide the Necessary Data
When selecting methods,
Specify the Matrix to be Measured
consider:
• Detection limits
Identify Action Level and Basis for Level
• Sample size
Information
• Particle size
Specify Required Detection Limits
From • Turn around time
Previous• Cost
Step 3
Specify the Precision Required
Activities
Information
Needed to
Resolve
Decision
Statements
Specify the Accuracy Required
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Step 3b - Identify Inputs
Information IN
Actions
From Previous Step
Information OUT
To Next Step
Confirm that Appropriate Measurement
Methods Exist to Provide the Necessary Data
Specify the Matrix to be Measured
Identify Action Level and Basis for Level
Examples:
Information
• Surface and groundwater
Specify Required Detection Limits
From
• Surface and subsurface soil
Previous
• Concrete
Step 3
Specify the Precision Required
• Air
Activities
• Biota
Information
Needed to
Resolve
Decision
Statements
Specify the Accuracy Required
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Step 3b - Identify Inputs
Information IN
Actions
From Previous Step
To Next Step
If practical, determine the actual numerical
value thatMeasurement
will be used as the action level for
Confirm that Appropriate
each environmental
variable.
Methods Exist to Provide
the Necessary Data
Specify the Matrix to be Measured
Identify Action Level and Basis for Level
Information
From
Previous
Step 3
Activities
Information OUT
Specify Required Detection Limits
Information
Needed to
Resolve
Decision
Statements
Specify the Precision Required
Specify
Accuracy
Required
In Step 5 confirm
thatthe
action
levels
are greater than the detection limits.
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Step 3b - Identify Inputs
Information IN
Actions
From Previous Step
Information OUT
To Next Step
Confirm that Appropriate Measurement
Methods Exist to Provide the Necessary Data
Specify the Matrix to be Measured
Identify Action Level and Basis for Level
Information
Specify Required Detection Limits
From
Previous
Step 3
Specify the Precision Required
Activities
Action levels are from:
• Regulations (drinking water,
TC) Required
SpecifyRCRA
the Accuracy
• Derived from risk modeling (PRGs)
Information
Needed to
Resolve
Decision
Statements
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Step 3b - Identify Inputs
Information IN
From Previous Step
Actions measurements to be made,
Information OUT
For any new environmental
develop a comprehensive list of potentially appropriate To Next Step
measurement methods for each matrix.
Confirm that Appropriate Measurement
Methods Exist to Provide the Necessary Data
Specify the detection limits, precision, and accuracy
for each environmental variable per matrix.
Specify the Matrix to be Measured
Identify Action Level and Basis for Level
Information
From
Previous
Step 3
Activities
Specify Required Detection Limits
Information
Needed to
Resolve
Decision
Statements
Specify the Precision Required
Specify the Accuracy Required
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Step 3b - Identify Inputs
Information IN
From Previous Step
• Specify the
normal laboratory reporting limits.
Actions
Information OUT
• Compare these limits to action level.
To Next Step
• If the detection limit exceeds action level, either:
Confirm
that larger
Appropriate
Measurement
• Use
sample
size to lower reporting limit,
Methods•Exist
Provide the
Necessary Data
Usetoalternate
method,
• Develop new method, or
• Make
the reporting
limit equal to the action
level.
Specify
the Matrix
to be Measured
Information
Identify Action Level and Basis for Level
Information
From
Previous
Step 3
Activities
Specify Required Detection Limits
Needed to
Resolve
Decision
Statements
Specify the Precision Required
Specify the Accuracy Required
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Step 3b - Identify Inputs
Information IN
Actions
From Previous Step
Information OUT
To Next Step
Confirm that Appropriate Measurement
Methods Exist to Provide the Necessary Data
Specify the Matrix to be Measured
Identify Action Level and Basis for Level
Precision is specified by
Information
• Relative percent difference
Specify Required Detection Limits
From
• Relative standard deviation
Previous
• Confidence limits
Step 3
Specify the Precision Required
Activities
Information
Needed to
Resolve
Decision
Statements
Specify the Accuracy Required
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Step 3b - Identify Inputs
Information IN
Actions
From Previous Step
Information OUT
To Next Step
Confirm that Appropriate Measurement
Methods Exist to Provide the Necessary Data
Specify the Matrix to be Measured
Accuracy is specified by
Identify Action Level and Basis for Level
percent recovery.
Information
Specify Required Detection Limits
From
Previous
Step 3
Specify the Precision Required
Activities
Information
Needed to
Resolve
Decision
Statements
Specify the Accuracy Required
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2 Approaches
Approach 1: Traditional lab methods
 Approach 2: Field analytical methods with
final confirmation via lab methods

– Select onsite methods that focuses on driver
COPCs (e.g., risk drivers, transport drivers,
etc.)
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CS
Reasonable for CSM?
(Y/N)
Yes
No
No
1, 2
Uranium
(total)
mg/kg
Laboratory
No
High
Yes
No
No
1, 2
TPH
(GRO &
DRO)
mg/kg
Laboratory
No
High
Yes
No
No
1, 2
PCBs
mg/kg
Laboratory
No
High
Yes
No
No
250
Industrial
PRGs
240
Industrial
PRGs
100
Industrial
PRGs
1
40CFR761.12
(TSCA)
3050B or 3051
6010B
Soil
10
<20%
75% 125%
3050B or 3051
6010B
Soil
10
<20%
75% 125%
DRO-3540C
(soxhlet)
GRO-5035
(purge/trap)
3540C
(soxhlet) or
3550B
(ultrasonic)
8015B
(GC/FID)
Soil
10
<30%
70% 130%
8082
(Aroclors
only)
Soil
0.1
<30%
70% 130%
Accuracy
Representative of the
Population? (Y/N)
High
Precision (RPD)
Is Data quality Assured?
(Y/N)
No
Detection Limits (PQL)
General Level of quality Required (Low,
Moderate, High)
Laboratory
Matrix
Does Data Exist? (Y/N)
mg/kg
Appropriate Measurement Method
General Source of Information
Lead
Preparation Method
Unit of Measure
1, 2
Action Level and Basis for Action Level
Chemical/radiological or
Physical Attribute
Usability
Assessment
Historical Data
DS#
Environmental
Variable
Lab Methods
DRO = diesel range organics C10-28 and GRO = gasoline range organics C6-12
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CS
Reasonable for CSM?
(Y/N)
Yes
No
No
1, 2
Uranium
(total)
mg/kg
on-site
No
High
Yes
No
No
1, 2
TPH
(GRO &
DRO)
mg/kg
on-site
No
High
Yes
No
No
1, 2
PCBs
mg/kg
On-site
No
High
Yes
No
No
250
Industrial
PRGs
240
Industrial
PRGs
100
Industrial
PRGs
1
40CFR761.12
(TSCA)
NA
6200
XRF
Soil
45
<25%
75% 125%
NA
6200
XRF
Soil
8
<25%
75% 125%
Ext. in hexane
for DRO
GRO-5035
(purge/trap)
N/A
8015B
(GC/FID)
Soil
10
<30%
70% 130%
4020
Soil
*
<30%
70% 130%
Accuracy
Representative of the
Population? (Y/N)
High
Precision (RPD)
Is Data quality Assured?
(Y/N)
No
Detection Limits (PQL)
General Level of quality Required (Low,
Moderate, High)
on-site
Matrix
Does Data Exist? (Y/N)
mg/kg
Appropriate Measurement Method
General Source of Information
Lead
Preparation Method
Unit of Measure
1, 2
Action Level and Basis for Action Level
Chemical/radiological or
Physical Attribute
Usability
Assessment
Historical Data
DS#
Environmental
Variable
Onsite Methods
* The detection limits vary depending on the Aroclor and range from 0.5 to 25.5 mg/kg.
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CS
Approach 2

To use XRF for onsite, the following must
be done:
– Develop correlation between lab methods listed in
Approach 1 and on-site XRF methods for Pb and U per
method 6200
– Correlation must take into account in-situ
measurements without drying soil, this creates greater
error than drying
– In-situ must establish fixed distance of soil from source
and fixed count (time exposed to X-rays) time
– Develop calibration curves using all different types of
soil present at the site
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Approach 2 (cont.)

CS
For Diesel Range (DRO, GRO) onsite
– Develop quick extraction with hexane
for the DRO, 5 gr soil to 10 ml hexane
– Perform short accuracy and precision
study for DRO
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CS
Approach 2 (cont.)

MQOs
– The RPDs in the previous tables represent the
analytical precision and accuracy requirements
based on the published methods.
– Due to biases, the correlation between the lab
methods and on-site methods must meet r2 of
0.80
– Due to the higher detection limits and chance
for false positives for Immunoassay, the final
confirmation of the action limits must include
lab analysis
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Step 3a - Identify Inputs
Information IN
From Previous Step
Actions
Specify Environmental Variables
to be Measured
Information OUT
To Next Step
List General Sources of Information
Decision
Statements
Determine Whether the Information
Exists
Continue Step 3
Activities
Determine the General Level of
Quality Required for the Data
Evaluate the Appropriateness of
Existing Data: Usability Assessment
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Step 3b - Identify Inputs
Information IN
Actions
From Previous Step
Information OUT
To Next Step
Confirm that Appropriate Measurement
Methods Exist to Provide the Necessary Data
Specify the Matrix to be Measured
Identify Action Level and Basis for Level
Information
From
Previous
Step 3
Activities
Specify Required Detection Limits
Information
Needed to
Resolve
Decision
Statements
Specify the Precision Required
Specify the Accuracy Required
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End of Module 3
Thank you
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