The following tables list the EPA Region 9 quality control acceptance criteria for selected laboratory analytical methods. Region 9 has developed these specifications to ensure that laboratory-generated analytical data is of acceptable quality for use in environmental decision making. For more information on the Region 9 data review procedures, please see Data Validation & Laboratory Quality Assurance for Region 9.
The following Data Quality Indicator Tables are available in PDF format. Revisions (indicated in bold) and WordPerfect versions of these tables may be obtained by contacting the Region 9 Quality Assurance program.
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Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in Ambient Air Using Summa Canister Sampling and Gas Chromatography (GC) Analysis (PDF)(6 pp, 156 K)
Summarizes holding times and preservation for volatile organic compounds in ambient air by gas chromatography. Also provides a target compound list, and calibration procedures.
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Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): EPA Method 160.1 (Gravimetric, Dried at 180 degrees C) (PDF)(3 pp, 40 K)
Summary of contract required detection limits, holding times, and preservation for total dissolved solids. Also includes internal quality control procedures.
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Total Suspended Solids (TSS): EPA Method 160.2 (Gravimetric, Dried at 103-105 Degrees C ) (PDF)(3 pp, 40 K)
Provides holding times and contract required detection limits for total suspended solids dried at 103-105 degrees Celsius. Also includes quality control procedures.
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Tetra- through Octa-chlorinated Dioxins and Furans by Isotope Dilution High Resolution Gas Chromatography (HRGC)/High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS): EPA Method 1613, Revision A (October 1990) (PDF)(5 pp, 116 K)
Includes a summary of holding times and preservation for dioxins and furans by isotope dilution gas chromatography / high resolution mass spectrometry. Also includes calibration procedures.
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N-Hexane Extractable Material (Hem; Oil And Grease) and Silica Gel Treated N-Hexane Extractable Material (SGT-HEM; Non-Polar Material): Extraction and Gravimetry: EPA Office of Water Method 1664, Revision A (February 1999) (PDF)(3 pp, 48 K)
Summarizes holding times, and preservation for HEM; oil and grease and SGT-Hem; non-polar material. Also provides calibration procedures.
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Metals by Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (AES): EPA Method 200.7 (PDF)(5 pp, 61 K,
03/02/2001,
EPA Method 200.7)
Summaries of Holding Times and Preservation for Trace Elements by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Also provides a target compound list, and calibration procedures.
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Carbonate, Bicarbonate, and Total Alkalinity Carbonate: Standard Methods 2320 (Titration Method) (PDF)(3 pp, 21 K)
Summarizes holding times and preservation for carbonate, bicarbonate, and total alkalinity. Also provides a target compound list, and calibration procedures.
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Mercury in Water by Manual Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption (CVAA): EPA Method 245.1 (PDF)(3 pp, 54 K)
Summarizes holding times, and preservation for mercury in water by manual cold vapor atomic absorption. Also provides calibration procedures.
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Mercury in Water by Automated Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption (CVAA): EPA Method 245.2 (PDF)(3 pp, 54 K)
Summarizes holding times, and preservation for mercury in water by automated cold vapor atomic absorption. Also provides calibration procedures.
- Mercury in Sediments by Manual Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption (CVAA): EPA Method 245.5 (PDF)(3 pp, 54 K)
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Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD): EPA Method 410.4 (Colorimetric, Automated; Manual) (PDF)(4 pp, 52 K)
Summarizes holding times and preservation for chemical oxygen demand. Also provides calibration procedures.
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Total Organic Carbon in Water, EPA Method 415.1 (Combustion or Oxidation), EPA Method 415.2 (UV Promoted, Persulfate Oxidation) or SW-846 Method 9060 (PDF)(6 pp, 57 K)
Summarizes holding times and preservation for total organic carbon in water. Also provides calibration procedures.
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1,2 Dibromoethane (EDB) and 1,2-Dibromo-3-Chloropropane (DBCP) in Water by Microextraction and Gas Chromatography: EPA Method 504.1 (1993) (PDF)(3 pp, 71 K)
Summarizes holding times and preservation for 1-2 dibromoethane and 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane by gas chromatography. Also provides a target compound list, and calibration procedures.
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Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD): Standard Method 5210 B (5-Day BOD Test) (PDF)(2 pp, 38 K)
Method to determine the amount of dissolved oxygen needed by organisms in a body of water to break down organic material in a water sample.
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Carbamate And Urea Pesticides: EPA Method 632 (PDF)(4 pp, 75 K)
Contains a summary of holding times and preservation for carbamate and urea pesticides by high performance liquid chromatography. Also includes calibration procedures.
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Total Petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) as Gasoline and Diesel: SW-846 Method 8015B (Revision 2, December 1996) (PDF)(4 pp, 79 K)
Summarizes holding times and preservation for total petroleum hydrocarbons. Also provides a target compound list, and calibration procedures.
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Phenols by Gas Chromatography: SW-846 Method 8040, Revision 1 (July 1992) (PDF)(4 pp, 82 K)
Summarizes holding times and preservation for phenols by gas chromatography. Also provides a target compound list, and calibration procedures for phenols.
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Organochlorine Pesticides and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs): SW-846 Method 8081 or 8080 (PDF)(6 pp, 109 K)
Summarizes holding times and preservation for organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls. Also provides a target compound list, and calibration procedures.
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Organophosphorus Pesticides: SW-846 Method 8141A (PDF)(4 pp, 86 K)
Target Compound List, CAS Numbers, and Contract Required Quantitation Limits for Organophosphorus pesticides.
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Chlorinated Herbicides: SW-846 Method 8151, Revision 0 (September 1994) (PDF)(4 pp, 46 K)
Contains a summary of holding times, a targeted compound list, and calibration procedures for chlorinated herbicides.
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Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): SW-846 Method 8260 (PDF)(6 pp, 138 K)
Summarizes holding times and preservation for volatile organic compounds in water and soil by gas chromatography / mass spectrometry.
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Semivolatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs): SW-846 Method 8270 (PDF)(5 pp, 186 K)
Summarizes holding times and preservation for semivolatile organic compounds in water and soil by gas chromatography / mass spectrometry.
- Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): SW-846 Method 8310 (PDF)(4 pp, 86 K)
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PH in Liquid and Soil: SW-846 Method 9040 (Liquid) and SW-846 Method 9045 (Soil) (PDF)(3 pp, 45 K)
Summarizes holding times and preservation for potential hydrogen in soil and liquid. Also provides calibration procedures.
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Total Organic Carbon (TOC) in Soil: SW-846 Method 9060 (PDF)(6 pp, 53 K)
Summarizes holding times and preservation for total organic carbon in soil. Also provides calibration procedures.
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Hardness, Total (Mg/L as CaCO3): EPA Method 130.2 (Titrimetric, EDTA) (PDF)(2 pp, 37 K)
Contains a summary of contract required detection limits, holding times, and preservation for hardness. Also includes internal quality control procedures.
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1,4-Dioxane In Water By Selective Ion Monitoring (Sim) Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry (GC / MS): EPA CLP Method OLM03.1 (1994) (PDF)(3 pp, 13 K)
Summarizes holding times and preservation for 1,4-dioxane in water by selective ion monitoring gas chromatography / mass spectrometry. Also includes calibration procedures.
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Nitrogen, Kjeldahl, Total: EPA Method 351.1 (Colorimetric, Automated Phenate), EPA Method 351.2 (Colorimetric, Semi-Automated Block Digester, AAII), or EPA Method 351.4 (Potentiometric, Ion Selective Electrode) (PDF)(3 pp, 37 K)
Summarizes holding times, preservation, and contract required detection limits for total Kjeldahl nitrogen. Also includes calibration procedures and internal quality control procedures.
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Perchlorate In Water By Ion Chromatography: Modified EPA Method 300.0 (Revision 2.1, August 1993) (PDF)(3 pp, 41 K)
Summarizes contract required detection limits, holding times, and preservation for perchlorate. Also includes calibration procedures and internal quality control procedures.
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Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) for VOCs, SVOCs, Chlorinated Pesticides and Herbicides, and Metals by SW-846 Method 1311 and Analysis (PDF)(6 pp, 254 K)
Contains information about the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure for volatile organic compounds, semivolatile organic compounds, chlorinated pesticides, and herbicides.
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Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in Air (Ambient Air/Soil Vapor/Stack Gas)Samples Collected in Specially-Prepared Canisters and Analyzed by Gas Chromatography /Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS): EPA Method TO-15 (January 1999) (PDF)(4 pp, 65 K)
Contains a summary of holding times and preservation for volatile organic compounds in air. Also includes calibration procedures and internal quality control procedures.
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Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): EPA Contract Laboratory Program (CLP) Statement of Work (SOW) and Superfund Analytical Methods for Low Concentration Water for Organics Analysis (SAMLCO) (PDF)(6 pp, 18 K)
Summarizes holding times and preservation for volatile organic compounds by gas chromatography / mass spectrometry. Also includes calibration procedures.
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Hexavalent Chromium in Soil and Water: Colorimetric: SW-846 Method 7196A: Hexavalent Chromium in Water: Atomic Absorption, Chelation-Extraction: EPA Method 218.4 (PDF)(3 pp, 41 K)
Summarizes contract required detection limits, holding times, and preservation for hexavalent chromium. Also includes calibration procedures and internal quality control procedures.