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Slide 8-2 QA/QC components Measuring to assess –Precision –Accuracy Checking and documenting performance of devices
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Lesson 8
How can you provide quality assurance
and quality control?
Slide 8-2
QA/QC in radon measurement
• Activities to make sure that radon testing equipment and services meet EPA quality standards
• Goal: to reduce or eliminate errors• Helps clients make well-informed
decisions that affect– Health– Finances
Slide 8-3
QA/QC components• Measuring to assess
– Precision– Accuracy
• Checking and documenting performance of devices
Slide 8-4
PrecisionAre measurements repeatable or consistent when
an identical item is measured several times?
Measurements are precise (close together) but not accurate (not near bull’s eye)
Slide 8-5
AccuracyAre measurements close to the correct or true
value?
Measurements are accurate (in bull’s eye) but not precise (close together)
Slide 8-6
Precise and accuratePrecise• Measurements are
close together
Accurate• Measurements are
in bull’s eye
Slide 8-7
Tests for passive devices
• Duplicates – Measure precision
• Spikes– Measure accuracy
• Blanks– Measure bias (how
far measurements are from accurate)
Slide 8-8
Duplicates(measure precision)
• Make duplicates at least 10% of total number of measurements
• Set out two identical devices that have been stored in the same place– Place side by side,
about 4 inches apart• Leave in place for the
same amount of time
• Label them so that– You know they are
duplicates– Lab will not know they
are duplicates• Ship devices to the lab
together
Slide 8-9
Check duplicate resultsStep How to calculate Example
1Calculate average of two results
Average = Result 1 + Result 2
2
4.3 + 3.9 =20
4.12Calculate relative percent difference (RPD) of two results
RPD = (Result 1 – Result 2) x 100
Average of two results
(4.3 - 3.9) x 100 =4.1
0.4 x 100 =4.1 0
10%
Slide 8-10
Check relative percent difference
If average of 2 results is 4 pCi/L or more, – RPD should be no
more than 25%– If RPD is greater
than 25%, investigate
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
Slide 8-11
Spikes(measure accuracy)
• Make spikes – At least 3% of total measurements or– At least 3 per year– No more than 6 per month
• Send unexposed device to special lab where it will be exposed to known radon concentration
• Label device so that– You know it is a spike– Lab will not know it is a spike
• Ship exposed device to regular lab
Slide 8-12
Check spike resultsHow to calculate Example
Compare target value and measured value
Target value–Measured valueTarget value
5.7 – 5.2 =5.7
0.09
For spikes at 4 pCi/L or higher, calculated value should be no more than 0.10
If result is higher, investigate
Slide 8-13
Blanks(measure bias)
• Check accuracy by measuring bias– How close is measured value to target
value?• Help determine whether accuracy
has been affected in– Manufacturing– Shipping– Storing– Processing the device
Slide 8-14
Blanks
• Label device so that– You know it is a blank– Lab will not know it is a blank
• Ship unexposed device to lab
• Make blanks at least 5% of total number of measurements
• Unwrap a device but do not open it.
• Leave unopened device in place for standard exposure period
Slide 8-15
Blanks• In theory, blanks should measure 0
pCi/L• In practice, blanks should measure at
lower limit that device can measure• If result is higher, investigate
Slide 8-16
Active devices• Calibrate at least once a year• Check device manual or ask
manufacturer for referral to calibration lab
Slide 8-17
Routine instrument checks
• Check equipment periodically• Include all components
– Batteries– Pumps– Electronics– Airflow
Slide 8-18
Document all tests• Information about
device– Manufacturer – Type/model– Serial or ID number
• Times– Start date and time – Stop date and time
• Exact location of device on diagram of room and building
• Other building information– Type of building– Type of heating
system– Foundation types– Operation of
humidifiers, air filters, electrostatic precipitators, and clothes dryers
• Test conditions
Slide 8-19
Document your QA/QC activities
• QA/QC plan from any lab you use
• For passive devices – Test dates and times– Percentage of tests in
relation to total tests– Label used to identify
QA/QC test– Type of QA/QC
measurement• Duplicates• Spikes• Blanks
• For active devices– Calibration dates and
other details
• Information about device– Manufacturer – Type/model– Serial or ID
number
Slide 8-20
Questions?
Slide 8-21
SummaryQA/QC for passive devices
Type of test
Measures % of total measurements
Duplicate Precision At least 10%
Spike Accuracy At least 3%
Blank Bias/accuracy At least 5%
Slide 8-22
SummaryActive devices
• Calibrate at least once a year
Slide 8-23
SummaryAll devices
• Check all instruments periodically• Document all measurements• Document all QA/QC activities