ASTM D3614-97(2002)e1
(Guide)Standard Guide for Laboratories Engaged in Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres and Emissions
Standard Guide for Laboratories Engaged in Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres and Emissions
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers criteria to be used by those responsible for the selection, evaluation, operation, and control of laboratory organizations engaged in sampling and analysis of environmental atmospheres, including ambient, work space, and source emission (stack gas) atmospheres.
1.2 This guide presents features of organizations, facilities, resources, and operations which by their selection and control affect the reliability and credibility of the data generated.
1.3 This guide presents the criteria for the selection and control of the features listed in 1.2 so that acceptable performance may be attained and sustained. Also, this guide presents recommendations for the correction of unacceptable performance.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation:D3614–97 (Reapproved 2002)
Standard Guide for
Laboratories Engaged in Sampling and Analysis of
Atmospheres and Emissions
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3614; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
e NOTE—Reference to Guide E 548 was editorially removed. As a result, Annex A1 was deleted and the definitions were
transferred to the Terminology section. Annex A2 was editorially changed to Appendix X1. These changes were made April
2002.
INTRODUCTION
The utilization of well tested and uniform laboratory practices is essential to the production of
reliable and defensible environmental data whose validity can be demonstrated at a later date through
theuseofwrittenfieldandlaboratoryrecords.Thisdocumentisintendedtoprovidegeneralguidelines
for the elements of laboratory practices that are considered to be basic to the performance of
laboratories that provide services in the sampling and analysis of atmospheres and emissions. This
document is intended to stimulate an awareness of good laboratory and field practices.
1. Scope D 1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
Atmospheres
1.1 This guide covers criteria to be used by those respon-
D 1357 Practice for Planning the Sampling of the Ambient
sible for the selection, evaluation, operation, and control of
Atmosphere
laboratory organizations engaged in sampling and analysis of
D 2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
environmental atmospheres, including ambient, work space,
Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
and source emissions (stack gases), as well as atmospheric
D 3249 Practice for General Ambient Air Analyzer Proce-
deposition samples.
dures
1.2 This guide presents features of organizations, facilities,
resources, and operations which by their selection and control
3. Terminology
affect the reliability and credibility of the data generated.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this guide,
1.3 This guide presents the criteria for the selection and
see Terminology D 1356.
control of the features listed in 1.2 so that acceptable perfor-
3.2 Other terms are defined as follows:
mance may be attained and sustained.Also, this guide presents
3.3 accrediting authority—a body that evaluates the capa-
recommendations for the correction of unacceptable perfor-
bility of a testing agency, or an inspection agency, or both, in
mance.
certain specific fields of activity.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.4 agency—an organization or part of an organization,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
engaged in the activities of testing or inspection, or both.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.5 generic criteria—common characteristics pertaining to
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
organization, human resources, material resources, and quality
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
systems which provide a basis for assessing the qualifications
2. Referenced Documents of testing or inspection agencies.
2 3.6 human resources—those elements of support or capa-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
bility that are provided by humans using their mental and
physical capabilities.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air Quality
3.7 inspection—the process of measuring, examining, test-
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.01 on Quality Control.
ing, gaging, or otherwise evaluating materials, products, ser-
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 1997. Published January 1998. Originally
vices, systems, or environments.
published as D 3614 – 77. Last previous edition D 3614 – 90.
3.8 organizational component—aportionofanorganization
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
with specific tasks and activities that constitutes a part of the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
total effort and accomplishment of the organization.
the ASTM website.
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D3614–97 (2002)
3.9 quality—the totality of features and characteristics of a The procedure by which this is to be achieved is by the
product or service that bear on its ability to satisfy a given effectiveadministrationofaqualityassurance(QA)planbythe
need. management of the organization. The elements of a quality
3.10 quality assurance—a system of activities whose pur- assurance plan are described in 6.1.1-6.1.6.1.
pose is to provide assurance that the overall quality control job
6.1.1 Organization—A table of organization which indi-
is in fact being done effectively. The system involves a
cates the organizational structure and the lines of authority,
continuing evaluation of the adequacy and effectiveness of the
areas of responsibility, and job descriptions should be avail-
overall quality control program (see quality control) with a
able. Key personnel, including their workplace locations and
view to having corrective measures initiated where necessary.
phone numbers, should be identified for each organizational
For a specific product or service, this involves verifications,
entity. Separate organizational charts for subcontractors might
audits, and the evaluation of the quality factors that affect the
also be needed. QA managers should be identified along with
specification, production, inspection, and use of the product or
their relationships to other project personnel. The QA manag-
service.
ers should be organizationally independent of project manage-
3.11 quality control—the overall system of activities whose
ment so that the risk of conflict of interest is minimized.
purpose is to provide a quality of product or service that meets
6.1.1.1 Human Resources—The key personnel of the orga-
the needs of users; also, the use of such a system. The aim of
nization should be described by means of personal résumés
quality control is to provide quality that is satisfactory, ad-
presenting the applicable education and work experience
equate, dependable, and economic. The overall system in-
relative to his or her position in the table of organization and
volves integrating the quality aspects of several related steps
the requirements of that position.
including: (1) the proper specification of what is wanted; (2)
6.1.1.2 Physical Resources—The laboratory facilities
production to meet the full intent of the specification; (3)
should provide a working environment that is clean, air-
inspection to determine whether the resulting product or
conditioned, heated, well-lighted, and safe. The instrumenta-
service is in accord with the specifications; and (4) review of
tion and equipment should be appropriate to the operational
usage to provide for revision of specification.
needs of the laboratory.
3.12 testing—thedeterminationbytechnicalmeansofprop-
6.1.2 Methodology—Written procedures should be readily
erties, performance, or elements of materials, products, ser-
available to all personnel.
vices, systems, or environments which involve application of
established scientific principles and procedures.
6.1.2.1 Sample collection and handling procedures, and
storage requirements should be written.
4. Summary of Guide
6.1.2.2 Calibration and standardization procedures should
4.1 This guide describes the criteria, practices, and recom- be written.
mendations for the physical resources, data validation, and
6.1.2.3 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and analyti-
mode of operation of the laboratory.
cal methods should be written.
6.1.2.4 Thereshouldbeadocumentcontrolsystemtoassure
5. Significance and Use
that the written procedures are current and complete.
5.1 Data on the composition and characteristics of environ-
6.1.2.5 All of the above should be periodically subjected to
mental atmospheres, such as ambient air, work space air, and
performance and system audits.
stack gas emissions, are frequently used to evaluate the health
6.1.3 Metrology Systems—Allsystemsformakingmeasure-
and safety of humans. Data on the composition of atmospheric
ments should have the following features:
deposition samples are often used for environmental impact
6.1.3.1 Calibration and standardization procedures, includ-
assessment.
ing a description of a procedure for establishing traceability,
5.2 These data are frequently used to ascertain compliance
description of calibration standards, and a schedule for cali-
with regulatory statutes that place limits on acceptable com-
bration,
positions and characteristics of these atmospheres.
6.1.3.2 Preventative maintenance procedures including a
5.3 Laboratories that produce environmental sampling and
schedule for maintenance intervals and documentation of their
analysisdataandthosewhohavetheresponsibilityofselecting
proper completion, and
a laboratory to perform air quality studies need to know what
6.1.3.3 Records of modification of configuration that may
criteria, practices, and recommendations have been accepted
occur in any measurement system due to repair and servicing
by consensus within this field of endeavor.
of equipment, replacement of components or reagents, or
5.4 Demonstration and documentation by a laboratory that
change of procedures.
there is judicious selection and control of organizational
factors, facilities, resources, and operations enhance the reli-
6.1.4 Data Recording—The laboratory should keep records
ability of the data produced and promote the acceptance of
of submitted samples and completed analyses in a manner that
these data.
provides for the retrievability, preservation and traceability of
the sample source, the procedures used, and the person or
6. Responsibilities and Duties of the Laboratory
persons responsible for the sampling and analysis.
6.1 The purpose of the laboratory is to provide information 6.1.4.1 All laboratory data sheets should be dated and
that is factual, accurate, reliable, and adequate for its purpose. signed by the analyst.
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D3614–97 (2002)
6.1.4.2 A policy for the use of computers for data acquisi- operates the laboratory, and should have a minimum of an
tion,archiving,andmathematicalcalculationsshouldbeimple- earned baccalaureate degree in science or engineering from an
mented. accredited college, university, or the equivalent (see Note 1),
6.1.5 Data Validation—The laboratory should keep records and a minium of one year analytical responsibility.
of analytical performance by means of audit procedures,
7.2.3 The Senior Staff—The senior staff of the laboratory
reference sample programs, and interlaboratory tests. Where
should conduct the difficult and nonroutine sampling and
applicable, quality control charts should be used to report
analyses and should directly supervise the technical staff. Each
results from these validation activities. Quality control proce- member of the senior staff should have a baccalaureate degree
dures found in most current methods should be followed. (1)
in science or engineering from an accredited college or
6.1.6 Deficiency Correction—The organizational system university or the equivalent (see Note 1).
should provide the authority and the responsibility for a
7.2.4 The Technical Staff—The technical staff will normally
designated person or persons to investigate out of control
consist of qualified personnel who conduct routine sampling
procedures and to inform the laboratory management of the
and analyses and may also include highly trained and qualified
problems that occur. This is often the responsibility of the QA
people who specialize in difficult procedures.
manager.
7.2.4.1 Each member of the technical staff should have
6.1.6.1 Acurrent log should be maintained of such deficien-
formal, on-the-job training in the analyses and areas of
cies and the action taken to correct them.
assigned responsibility. Training should be provided on-site,
and in many cases should be supplemented by short courses
7. Organization
offered by equipment manufacturers, professional organiza-
7.1 The production of reliable data is dependent upon the
tions, universities, or other qualified training facilities.
conscientiouseffortofeveryonewhohasanyinvolvementwith
7.2.4.2 After appropriate training, the staff member must
the service. Therefore, it is important that each member of the
demonstrate acceptable results in the analysis of an applicable
organization have a clear-cut understanding of his or her duties
quality control or performance evaluation sample.
and responsibilities, and their relationship to the total effort.
7.2.5 The Support Staff—The support staff will normally
Themanagementofthelaboratoryhasaprimeresponsibilityin
consist of personnel who perform routine services such as:
defining the policy goals in relation to the quality of perfor-
cleaning glassware, transportation and handling samples and
mance and assigning the specific areas of responsibility to the
equipment, maintenance of sampling equipment, and clerical
individual. The human resources that are required for the
and secretarial services.
operationofthelaboratorywillvarywiththespecificfunctions
7.2.5.1 Each member of the support staff should have
that are to be served, but the minimum personnel and their
sufficient on-the-job training for his or her level of responsi-
qualifications should generally be as follows:
bility as defined by the laboratory director.
7.2 Human Resources (2)
7.3 Physical Resources
7.2.1 The Director—The laboratory director should be a
7.3.1 The laboratory environment can affect the results of
full-time employee of the organization that operates the labo-
analyses which are intended to describe the character of
ratory.Heorsheshouldhaveanearnedbaccalaureatedegreein
atmospheres and emissions; therefore, the laboratory facility
science or engineering from an accredited college or university
should be carefully considered.
or the equivalent (see Note 1) with a minimum of 5 years
7.3.2 Thespecificitemsofequipmentandapparatusthatare
experience in sampling and analysis of atmospheres or in a
needed for the performance of standard methods are described
related field. The director should have the following responsi-
in those standards. If the laboratory proposes to perform a
bilities:
procedure, it should possess the specified items of equipment
7.2.1.1 Selection and approval of methods of sampling and
and a
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