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November 2009 

Greetings!
ctdep coverAs a result of our analysis of the practical implications of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection's updated data quality assessment process, York Analytical Laboratories implemented changes this month to RCP reports that will assist environmental professionals working in Connecticut comply with the new regulations.  As experience with this process will enable all of us to hone our approach to the new assessment protocol, we invite you to discuss the added QA process review with our team.

The new data assessment process has two parts.  The first step, Data Quality Assessment (DQA), identifies and summarizes any quality control issues that occurred during laboratory analysis.  The second part, Data Usability Evaluation (DUE) determines whether or not the quality of the data is sufficient for the intended use.  Essentially you are being asked to take on the role of a data validator or at least become more active data evaluators.
 
There is great complexity to the assessment and evaluation of analytical laboratory data.  Some of the factors that need review when looking at how data may be biased include review of surrogate recoveries, site specific matrix spikes, matrix spike duplicates, laboratory control samples and other elements.  These items are assessed for their contribution to bias and how bias may affect the data with respect to your particular use of the data.
 
In addition to the RCP case narrative, which identifies any non-conformance issues, York's reports now include a bias assignment for VOCs, SVOCs, pesticides, PCBs and metals.
 
Please feel free to email us any questions or comments about our approach in assisting you with this new guidance.  We are also available via phone (203-325-1371)...ask for Rich August or Phil Murphy.
 
As York Analytical Laboratories continues to build and grow client services in this very dynamic marketplace, we recognize the importance of turn-key results reporting.  We pride ourselves on the "readability" of our reports and flexibility in delivering data in whatever format our clients need.
 
We look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
mjb sign
Michael J. Beckerich
Vice-President, Sales & Marketing
York Analytical Laboratories, Inc.