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Data
management
and data validation are part of the Organic Analytical
Laboratory’s overall quality assurance program. Data must be assembled
in a timely manner (data processing) and in a
database format that permits efficient validation up to univariate Level
2. The Laboratory has developed software and utilizes up-to-date computer
systems to automate the data processing and reporting functions.
Data Management
- All data
are stored in a secure and available file server system that provides
a central storage area for laboratory and field data.
- Databases
have defined structures and are maintained in one area so that all field
names will be consistent, permitting easy merging and comparison of
various databases.
- All data
are backed up on tape cartridges at regular intervals. Redundant backups
of critical data are retained to prevent loss due to failure of the
backup media.
- The Organic
Analytical Laboratory computers are in an isolated local area network
that cannot be accessed by outside computers.
- A history
file is maintained to record the date, time, and name of the individual
making changes to any file.
- Chromatogram
files bind the calculations with the file, preventing accidental changes
in the data as a result of calibration changes.
- Data tables
are produced automatically using standard report formats designed for
each project. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry data and gas chromatography/infrared
detector data can be combined in a single report.
- Integrated
mass spectrometry and infrared searches are conducted utilizing the
NIST Mass Spectral Library (more than 43,000 mass spectra) and the EPA
IR Library (more than 4,000 IR spectra).
Data Validation
- Data from
the field, laboratory, and quality control activities are unified prior
to reporting.
- Organic
Analytical Laboratory procedures address deviations from measurement
assumptions and procedures.
- Level I
and II sample validation can be conducted by the Organic Analytical
Laboratory.
Data Processing
- Accurate
data is combined into a single database for each type of analysis.
- Uncertainty
analysis is conducted to allow presentation of data with absolute uncertainties
associated with each number in the report.
- For chromatographic
analysis, a data signal is collected and stored as digitized data by
the computer system which generates reports using the appropriate response
factors.
- Carbonyl
analyses are tabulated by an in-house data processing system.
- A customized
database program for canister measurements facilitates the identification
of reference peaks and permits the generation of several report formats
as well as merger into a master database of identified compounds for
the project.
Computer Systems
Laboratory
computers and data processing computers are linked using a LANtastic ethernet
computer network rated at 10 megabytes/second. Data processing equipment
includes:
- One Pentium
microcomputer with 2.5 gigabytes of hard disk storage and a tape backup
(LAN server).
- Two Pentium
Pro microcomputers for data validation and analysis.
- Three Pentium
microcomputers for data processing.
- Two Pentium
and one 486 microcomputers for instrument control/data collection.
- Four 486
microcomputers for data processing.
- One 386
microcomputer for data processing.
- Five laser
printers.
- Two inkjet
color printers.
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