Environmental data are essential to making correct decisions that protect human health and the environment. To help ensure data quality and integrity, Region 4 has established a strong quality management structure focused on continual improvement for regional EPA programs and divisions.  Region 4 also offers guidance and technical support to state, local and tribal organizations and to citizens of Region 4 in obtaining environmental data of known and documented quality.

The primary quality assurance (QA) functions in Region 4 include:

• implementing the mandatory agency-wide quality system
• providing technical assistance regarding the collection of chemical, biological, microbiological and radiological data under:
  • Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
  • Superfund
  • Clean Air
  • Clean Water/Safe Drinking Water Acts for the:
    • RCRA Program
    • Superfund Program
    • Air Progam
    • Water Program
• providing technical support/assistance to regional project officers and grantees
• conducting QA evaluations of field sampling and laboratory operations
• reviewing study plans, quality management plans and internal & external data
• reviewing QA documentation in support of grants, cooperative & interagency agreements and contracts
• managing the Environmental Services Assistance Team (ESAT) and national/regional analytical contracts
• providing training/guidance on data quality, laboratory practices/ethics, designated approving officials (DAO’s) and others topics as requested