Multi-Agency Radiological Laboratory Analytical Protocols Manual: MARLAP Presentation to the Radiation Advisory Committee/Science Advisory Board April 23, 2002 Presenter: John Griggs U.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 MQOs  Data 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 evaluation  Criteria for method selection  Basis for method performance demonstration  Ongoing data and performance evaluation  Criteria for QC and PE samples  Criteria for select sample parameters (e.g., measurement uncertainty)  Final data evaluation  Criteria for data validation  Analytical criteria for data quality assessment (DQA)

Deriving MQOs from DQOs  Key inputs to the process  Action level  Gray region  Information on matrix and analyte  Establishing MQOS – MARLAP provides:  Mathematical framework  General rules and recommendations

Manual Outline  Part 1  Ch.1 Introduction  Ch.2 Project Planning Process  Ch.3 Key Analytical Planning Issues  Ch.4 Project Plan Documents  Ch.5 Obtaining Laboratory Services  Ch.6 Selection and Application of an Analytical Method  Ch.7 Evaluating Methods and Laboratories  Ch.8 Radiochemical Data Verification and Validation  Ch.9 Data Quality Assessment

Manual Outline  Part 2  Ch.10 Field and Sampling Issues  Ch.11 Sample Receipt, Inspection and Tracking  Ch.12 Laboratory Sample Preparation  Ch.13 Sample Dissolution  Ch.14 Separation Techniques  Ch.15 Nuclear Counting Instrumentation  Ch.16 Instrument Calibration and Source Preparation  Ch.17 Data Acquisition, Reduction and Reporting  Ch.18 Laboratory Quality Control  Ch.19 Measurement Statistics  Ch.20 Laboratory Waste Management

Manual Review Schedule  Internal federal/state February-July 2000 agency reviews completed  Manual was revised based July 2001 on 2,000+ review comments  Available for peer and Currently underway public review

Next Steps  Revise 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