004105033-10218/Asarco/DR033/ESATdataEvalMemoWithData_081229 Page 1

ICF International / Laboratory Data Consultants

Environmental Services Assistance Team, Region 9

1337 South 46th Street, Building 201, Richmond, CA 94804-4698

Phone: (510) 412-2300 Fax: (510) 412-2304

MEMORANDUM

TO: John Hillenbrand, Remedial Project Manager

Private Site/DOE Section, SFD-8-2

THROUGH: Rose Fong, ESAT Task Order Manager (TOM)

Quality Assurance (QA) Program, MTS-3

FROM: Doug Lindelof, Data Review Task Manager

Region 9 Environmental Services Assistance Team (ESAT)

ESAT Contract No.: EP-W-06-041

Technical Direction Form No.: 00405033 Amendment 2

DATE: December 29, 2008

SUBJECT: Tier 1 Data Evaluation Memo for the Asarco Hayden project, SDGs: 08-059,

08-169, 08-182, 08-206, 08-266, 08-284, 08-302, 08-361, 08-373, 08-394, and 

08-408

SUMMARY: 41 Teflon air filter samples received by CHESTER LabNet were analyzed for 

PM10 and select metals by X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF).

A forms-only evaluation of the data packages was performed to identify any key analytical 

issues/deficiencies affecting data quality. This evaluation approach is employed when in-depth 

data review is not required as indicated by the data user. During this limited evaluation, areas of 

concern were noted (see Lettered and Additional Comments). 

The evaluation included: a review of the data package for completeness, review of the chain of 

custody forms (against laboratory reported information, for signatures, for sample condition 

upon receipt by the laboratory and for sample preservation), review of holding times, review of 

QC summaries, review of blanks for contamination, random check of reported results against 

raw data, and a random check of raw data for interference problems or system control problems. 

The following data quality issues should be noted:

A. Results for the following samples are rejected and flagged “R” in the data table due 

to compromised filter media.

SDG Sample Rejected Results

08-059 MY-120707 PM10 and XRF

08-182 MY-060908 PM10 and XRF

08-182 MY-051008 XRF

08-206 MY-052808 PM10 and XRF

08-206 HS-052808 PM10 and XRF
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SDG Sample Rejected Results

08-284 MY-072108 PM10 and XRF

08-373 MY-101208 PM10 and XRF

08-373 HS-101308 PM10 and XRF

08-394 MY-102508 PM10 and XRF

08-394 MY-102808 PM10 and XRF

08-394 HS-110308 PM10 and XRF

08-408 HS-111508 PM10 and XRF

For PM10 analysis, the Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution 

Measurements Systems, Volume II: Part 1, Section 12 and, for XRF analysis, the 

Method IO-3.3, Section 8.3, specify that filter samples are to be checked for 

invalidating conditions such as holes, tears, non-uniform deposit density (NUDD), or 

other flaws which may affect the collection efficiency of the filter and quantitative 

analysis. Filters for the samples listed above contained holes and other invalidating 

conditions as documented in the sample data sheets.

B. The XRF result for copper in the sample listed below is rejected and flagged "R" in 

the data table due to a NUDD noted on the XRF sample data sheet.

SDG Sample Analyte

08-182 MY-052208 Copper

Method IO-3.3, Section 8.3, specifies that a filter with a NUDD cannot be 

quantitatively determined by XRF.

C. The XRF analyte results for the following samples are estimated and flagged "J" in 

the data table due to a NUDD present in the sample. If one of the analytes in a 

sample cannot be quantitatively determined (as stated in Comment B) the 

quantitation of the other metals in the sample may not be correct.

 Antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, manganese, nickel, 

selenium, silver, and vanadium in sample MY-052208 (SDG 08-182) are affected 

due to a copper NUDD.

 Antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, manganese, 

nickel, selenium, silver, and vanadium in sample MY-102208 (SDG 08-373) are 

affected due to a sulfur NUDD.

 Antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, manganese, 

nickel, selenium, silver, and vanadium in samples HS-110908 and MY-110908 

(SDG 08-408) are affected due to a zinc NUDD and bismuth NUDD, 

respectively.

Results for analytes listed above in the samples listed above are considered 

quantitatively uncertain.
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D. The following results are estimated and flagged "J" in the data table because of 

duplicate results outside the ESAT ±35 relative percent difference (RPD) QC limit. 

Duplicate results that do not meet the ±35 RPD criterion for precision are listed 

below.

SDG Sample Analyte

Duplicate RPD and 

uncertainty

08-182 MY-051308 Silver 54.2 ± 57.3

08-266 MY-062108 Antimony 89.2 ± 31.6

08-408 HS-110908 Antimony 41.3 ± 29.6

Results for analytes listed above in the samples listed above are considered 

quantitatively uncertain.

E. Antimony, barium, cadmium, and silver results for all samples with an “HS” 

designation are reported without blank corrections. The laboratory indicated that, in 

order to lower the detection limit and uncertainty for cadmium, the counting time 

was extended to 1440 for the sp4 analytes by using instrument protocol 9. Since 

blank correction values were determined using instrument protocol 6 with a counting 

time of 180, the resulting higher uncertainties would increase the detection limit for 

cadmium. In order to maintain the lower detection limit, all sp4 analytes are 

reported without blank correction. The effect on data quality is not known.

Additional Comments:

1. The Chain of Custody (COC) record form did not specify a sample to be used for 

laboratory quality control (QC). As a result, the laboratory selected the QC samples. 

The effect on data quality is not known.

2. For SDG 08-169, all samples were collected on 25 mm Teflon filters. The Statement 

of Work (SOW) specifies samples are to be collected on 47 mm Teflon filters. The

effect on data quality is not known.

3. For SDG 08-302, analytical results for Winkelman samples HS-080508, HS-080808, 

HS-081108, HS-081408, HS-081708, and HS-082008 were added to the data table by 

ESAT. These results are transcribed from the laboratory’s analytical report.

4. For SDG 08-394, the laboratory identified sample HS-102208 as HS-1022808. The 

sample ID was corrected in the data table to agree with the COC record form. No 

adverse effect on data quality is expected.

5. XRF results reported in μg /m3are calculated from a normalized 24±2.4 cubic meter 

sample size. No adverse effect on data quality is expected.
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The data table is provided electronically only due to its size.

This report has been reviewed by the EPA TOM for the ESAT contract, whose signature appears 

above.

If there are any questions, please contact Rose Fong (QA Program/EPA) at (415) 972-3812.
00405033-10218/Asarco/DR033/ESATdataEvalMemoWithData_081229

TABLE 1B

DATA QUALIFIER DEFINITIONS FOR INORGANIC DATA REVIEW

The definitions of the following qualifiers are prepared in accordance with the document USEPA 

Contract Laboratory Program National Functional Guidelines for Inorganic Data Review, 

October 2004.

U The analyte was analyzed for, but was not detected above the level of the reported sample 

quantitation limit. 

J The result is an estimated quantity. The associated numerical value is the approximate 

concentration of the analyte in the sample.

J+ The result is an estimated quantity, but the result may be biased high. 

J- The result is an estimated quantity, but the result may be biased low. 

R The data are unusable. The sample results are rejected due to serious deficiencies in 

meeting Quality Control (QC) criteria. The analyte may or may not be present in the 

sample.

UJ The analyte was analyzed for, but was not detected. The reported quantitation limit is 

approximate and may be inaccurate or imprecise.
00405033-10218/Asarco/DR033/ESATdataEvalMemoWithData_081229

SampleID Analysis Method

Parameter 

Name CAS Number Matrix QAQC Type Lab Result Final Qualifier Validated By Validation Type Validation Reason

MY-011208 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.1487 ESAT 1

MY-011808 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0613 ESAT 1

MY-021708 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0291 ESAT 1

MY-040508 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0305 ESAT 1

MY-041208 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.4627 ESAT 1

MY-041508 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.059 ESAT 1

MY-041808 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.1272 ESAT 1

MY-042108 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0299 ESAT 1

MY-042408 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0097 ESAT 1

MY-051008 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.022 R ESAT 1 A

MY-051308 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.1163 ESAT 1

MY-051608 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.288 ESAT 1

MY-051908 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0236 ESAT 1

MY-052208 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0166 J ESAT 1 C

MY-052808 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0361 R ESAT 1 A

MY-053108 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.028 ESAT 1

MY-060308 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0547 ESAT 1

MY-060608 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0185 ESAT 1

MY-060908 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0843 R ESAT 1 A

MY-061208 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0746 ESAT 1

MY-061508 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.1255 ESAT 1

MY-061808 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.033 ESAT 1

MY-062108 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.1123 ESAT 1

MY-070908 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.3432 ESAT 1

MY-071208 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0062 ESAT 1

MY-071508 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0191 ESAT 1

MY-071808 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.047 ESAT 1

MY-072108 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0205 R ESAT 1 A

MY-072408 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0731 ESAT 1

MY-072708 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0011 ESAT 1

MY-073008 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0132 ESAT 1
SampleID Analysis Method

Parameter 

Name CAS Number Matrix QAQC Type Lab Result Final Qualifier Validated By Validation Type Validation Reason

MY-080208 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0347 ESAT 1

MY-080508 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.1629 ESAT 1

MY-080808 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.457 ESAT 1

MY-081108 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0417 ESAT 1

MY-081408 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.1646 ESAT 1

MY-081708 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.1981 ESAT 1

MY-082008 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0363 ESAT 1

MY-091208 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0136 ESAT 1

MY-091808 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0462 ESAT 1

MY-092408 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.1263 ESAT 1

MY-093008 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.9676 ESAT 1

MY-100608 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.02 ESAT 1

MY-101208 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0234 R ESAT 1 A

MY-101707 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0194 ESAT 1

MY-102207 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.5156

MY-102208 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.1968 J ESAT 1 C

MY-102508 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.042 R ESAT 1 A

MY-102707 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0242

MY-102808 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.3002 R ESAT 1 A

MY-110107 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0202

MY-110707 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.3183

MY-110908 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0887 J ESAT 1 C

MY-111208 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0071 ESAT 1

MY-111307 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0049

MY-111907 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.042 ESAT 1

MY-112507 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0538 ESAT 1

MY-120707 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.2119 R ESAT 1 A

MY-121307 XRF Lead 7439-92-1 Air N 0.0944 ESAT 1