Division of Atmospheric Sciences Division of Atmospheric Sciences Organic Analytical Laboratory Quality Assurance Quality assurance is achieved through integration of quality control, quality auditing, measurement method validation, and data validation. As a routine part of the Organic Analytical Laboratory s on-going quality assurance activities, parameters related to precision, accuracy, and completeness are continually monitored. The quality control system is based on standard operating procedures tested and established for all sampling, analysis, and data processing. Standard operating procedures are reviewed and updated as necessary to incorporate feedback from the field and laboratory as well as audit results.
Precision is monitored by multiple-point calibration curves and by duplicate analyses of samples.
Accuracy is confirmed by blind interlaboratory comparisons. Non-methane hydrocarbon laboratory performance audits organized by the Quality Assurance Section, Monitoring and Laboratory Division, California Air Resources Board. Analysis of the standard hydrocarbon mixture employed by the Environmental Protection Agency in the Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations monitoring program. Completeness is addressed through systematic calibration of systems used for qualitative analysis combined with an extensive data management system to provide rapid and accurate determination of the presence or absence of targeted compounds.