Quality Assurance Project: intercomparison exercise results, 1991- 1993

The NOAA National Status and Trends (NS&T) Program determines the current status and any changes over time of the environmental health of the estuarine and coastal waters of the United States. Concentrations of organic and inorganic contaminants are determined in mollusks, bottom-dwelling fish and sediments collected along the coast of the United Sates. The quality of the analytical data generated by the NS&T Program is overseen by its QA Project component, which is designed to document sampling protocols, analytical procedures, and laboratory performance, and to reduce intralaboratory and interlaboratory variation. NS&T does not specify analytical methodology. Laboratories can use any analytical procedure as long as the results of the intercomparison exercises are within certain specified limits. All NS&T laboratories are required to participate in yearly intercomparison exercises. The results of the trace organic and trace metals 1991 through 1993 intercomparison exercises are described and discussed. 1995 NOS (National Ocean Service) ORR (Office of Response and Restoration) Library Public domain 1937