Multi-Agency Radiological Laboratory Analytical Protocols

Manual: MARLAPPresentation to the

Radiation Advisory Committee/Science Advisory BoardApril 23, 2002

Presenter: John GriggsU.S. EPA

Description of MARLAP

A multi-agency guidance manual for project planners and managers and radioanalytical laboratories

Participants include: EPA, DOE, NRC, DOD, NIST,USGS, FDA, Commonwealth of Kentucky, State of California

Consequences of Current Lack of Guidance

Existing data frequently not adequate for decision making

Increased likelihood of repeated analyses and additional cost

Potential erosion of public confidence in work performed at sites

Goal of MARLAP

Ultimate goal of MARLAP is to provide guidance and a framework:

to assure that laboratory radioanalytical data meet a program's or project's specific needs and requirements

MARLAP Objectives

Providing a framework and an information resource for using a performance-based approach for radioanalytical laboratory work

Promoting a directed planning process involving radioanalytical laboratory expertise

Providing guidance on how to link project planning, implementation and assessment from an analytical perspective

MARLAP Objectives (cont'd)

Making collective knowledge and experience in radioanalytical laboratory work widely available

Providing guidance on obtaining and evaluating laboratory services

MARLAP

Written for project managers and planners and radioanalytical laboratory personnel

Consistent with relevant guidance such as ISO, ANSI, ASTM, and agency documents

Performance-based approach instead of a prescribed approach

Data Collection Activities Which MARLAP Supports

Cleanup of Contaminated Sites

Environmental Monitoring

Waste Management

Site Characterization

Post-Accident Response

Background Studies

DQOs and MQOsData Quality Objectives (DQOs)

Outputs of a directed planning process

Address sampling and analytical uncertainties

Measurement Quality Objectives (MQOs)

Project-specific requirement for select analytical parameters (e.g., method uncertainty, detection limit)

Analytical portion of the DQOs

MQOs

Example Analytical Parameters

Method Uncertainty Method’s Detection Capability

Method’s Quantification Capability

Example MQO

A standard uncertainty of 0.10 pCi/g or less is required at the action level of 1.0 pCi/g

Role of MQOs

Method selection and evaluationCriteria for method selectionBasis for method performance demonstration

Ongoing data and performance evaluationCriteria for QC and PE samplesCriteria for select sample parameters (e.g., measurement uncertainty)

Final data evaluationCriteria for data validationAnalytical criteria for data quality assessment (DQA)

Deriving MQOs from DQOs

Key inputs to the process

Action levelGray regionInformation on matrix and analyte

Establishing MQOS – MARLAP provides:

Mathematical frameworkGeneral rules and recommendations

Manual Outline

Part 1Ch.1 IntroductionCh.2 Project Planning ProcessCh.3 Key Analytical Planning IssuesCh.4 Project Plan DocumentsCh.5 Obtaining Laboratory ServicesCh.6 Selection and Application of an Analytical MethodCh.7 Evaluating Methods and LaboratoriesCh.8 Radiochemical Data Verification and ValidationCh.9 Data Quality Assessment

Manual OutlinePart 2

Ch.10 Field and Sampling IssuesCh.11 Sample Receipt, Inspection and TrackingCh.12 Laboratory Sample PreparationCh.13 Sample DissolutionCh.14 Separation TechniquesCh.15 Nuclear Counting InstrumentationCh.16 Instrument Calibration and Source PreparationCh.17 Data Acquisition, Reduction and ReportingCh.18 Laboratory Quality ControlCh.19 Measurement StatisticsCh.20 Laboratory Waste Management

Manual Review Schedule

Internal federal/state February-July 2000

agency reviews completed

Manual was revised based July 2001on 2,000+ review comments

Available for peer and Currently underway

public review

Next StepsRevise manual based on public and peer review comments

Develop an Executive Summary – “MARLAP Roadmap”

Finalize glossary

Develop implementation tools•Training courses•Software programs•Detailed example scenarios