EPA Region 3 Data Validation
EPA Region 3 has discontinued the use of its Innovative Approaches to Data Validation (1995) and Modifications to the National Functional Guidelines (1994). We are currently validating Superfund Contract Laboratory Program (CLP) data according to the Superfund Program's National Functional Guidelines.
All CLP data is submitted in the Staged Electronic Data Deliverable (SEDD) format and automatically undergoes Superfund CLP Data Assessment via the Electronic Data Exchange and Evaluation System (EXES).
Region 3 has renamed its tiered system of data validation. The following table visually represents the current nomenclature, which was derived from the National Contract Laboratory Program's Guidance for Labeling Externally Validated Laboratory Analytical Data for Superfund Use.
| Level | Summary | Superfund Stage |
|---|---|---|
| EXES (Electronic Data Exchange and Evaluation System) |
Automated Validation (Minimum level of review for Superfund data; qualifiers based on reported laboratory QC, not including field blanks or organic matrix spikes) | S3VE (Stage 3 Validation Electronic and Manual) |
| IM-1 (Inorganic Data) |
QC, false negatives, detection limits | S3VEM (Stage 3 Validation Electronic and Manual) |
| IM-2 (Inorganic Data) |
CLP National Functional Guidelines with Region 3 Modification (Use of ‘B’ qualifier) | S4VEM (Stage 4 Validation Electronic and Manual) |
| M-2 (Organic Data) |
QC, false negatives, detection limits | S3VEM (Stage 3 Validation Electronic and Manual) |
| M-3 (Organic Data) |
CLP National Functional Guidelines with Region 3 Modification (Use of ‘B’ qualifier) | S4VEM (Stage 4 Validation Electronic and Manual) |
Region 3 Data Validation Guidelines
- Superfund CLP National Functional Guidelines for Data Review - Superfund Contract Laboratory Program Data Review Guidelines, containing information on the National Functional Guidelines used to complete data review for organic (multilevel and low concentration), inorganic and dioxin data