what is the cherokee nation? cherokee nation air quality data management concepts for quality data...

WHAT IS THE CHEROKEE NATION?

Cherokee Nation

Air Quality Data ManagementConcepts for Quality Data Collection

Ryan Callison


EPA Region 6 Tribal Air Grant Objectives*

• PRIORITY 1: Produce quality data and submit updated Quality Management Plan and Quality Assurance Project Plans annually.

• OUTPUT: QMP and QAPPs• TIMEFRAME: Annual update one year after approval date.

• PRIORITY 2: Operate and report data from ambient air monitor networks into the EPA Air Quality System. Each site should have 75% data return for each quarter.

• OUTPUT: AQS• TIMEFRAME: Quarterly, no later than 90 days after the end of the• calendar quarter.

• PRIORITY 3: Notify EPA Region 6 of any situation (such as monitor malfunction or data validation issue) that results in the loss of more than two consecutive PM-2.5 or PM-10 sampling days or the loss of 120 consecutive hours of any continuous data. Identify the corrective action taken to minimize the loss of data.

• OUTPUT: Letter• TIMEFRAME: As soon as possible, but no more than 14 days after the event.

* If applicable



• PRIORITY 4: Notify EPA-R6 (6PD-Q) prior to establishing, modifying, relocating, or discontinuing any air monitor and/or site.

• OUTPUT: Letter• TIMEFRAME: 30 days prior to change

• PRIORITY 5: Conduct ambient air monitoring network reviews (at this point in time, only ITEC and Quapaw Tribe - both having air monitoring networks). Conduct analyses of data to aid in program development/assessment/evaluation. As part of the annual network reviews, consider the impact of the proposed NCore monitoring rules.

• OUTPUT: Letter• TIMEFRAME: Annually

• PRIORITY 6: Certify all 2005 ambient data and quality assurance data in the Air Quality System (AQS) are complete and accurate.

• OUTPUT: Letter with appropriate AQS reports• TIMEFRAME: July 1, 2006

* If applicable



• PRIORITY 7: Actively support and deliver PM-2.5 continuous data into AIRNow.• OUTPUT: AIRNow• TIMEFRAME: Present target is 20 minutes; long-term goal is 5 minutes.

• PRIORITY 8: Actively support and deliver PM-10 continuous data into AIRNow.• OUTPUT: AIRNow• TIMEFRAME: Present target is 20 minutes; long-term goal is 5 minutes.

• PRIORITY 9: Actively support and deliver ozone data into AIRNow.• OUTPUT: AIRNow• TIMEFRAME: Daily

* If applicable


General Items

• Utilize planner board to track complex projects, timelines, or schedules.

• Planner board allows employees to communicate and work around individual work schedules.


General Items

• Employees know all aspects of the program. Beneficial for possible turn-over and cross training.

• The defensibility of the data depends on the quality of documentation!


Criteria Pollutant Data

• Utilize Memory Sticks for File Management Level I bi-weekly checksQuarterly multi-point checksMeteorological checks


Internal QA Documentation

• Current and updated Quality Management Plans (QMP’s)

• Current and updated Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPP’s)


Internal QA Procedure• Evaluate Site Daily Reports – Does the data

make sense?

• Are there alarms or validity flags to be aware of?

• Daily & Monthly Data reports kept at both office and field locations.

• Log Books kept at all field locations, polling computers, and an AQS entry logbook.


Internal QA Procedure• Level I checks conducted bi-weekly

at all sites.• Level I checks consist of a zero,

span, precision check.• Copies of Level I forms stay onsite

for evaluation if needed. (Evaluate performance of analyzers: Are they drifting?)

• Nightly Level II checks conducted on all gases at all sites.

• Level II checks consist of a zero and span check.


Internal QA Procedure• Record keeping is critical!

Both Digital (Master PC)Hardcopy files

• Data Reports• Inventory• Calibration Records• Instrument & gas bottle certifications• Old Logbooks that are full – Keep those!• Independent audit reports• Chain of Custody (COC) Information• Keep Everything: At some point you will need it!


External QA Procedure• Primary site operator does not conduct our

monthly multi-point gas audits.

• Independent quarterly audits provided by a contractor.

• EPA National Performance Assessment Program (NPAP)- Through the Probe (TTP) Audits Conducted.


PM2.5 Program

• Filter cassette log-in sheet tracks filters and critical dates.

• Monthly Audits: flow, leak, temperature, pressure checks.

• EPA Performance Evaluation Program (PEP) audits conducted quarterly by EPA contractor: Lockheed Martin.


PM2.5 Program• Site logbooks maintained. Keep logbook entries consistent.

• All electronic files kept on the CNEP “Master” PC. Eliminates hodgepodge file management and inconsistencies.

• Master PC stores: Cassette Log-In Sheets Ship/Receive Schedule Sampler daily/monthly data strings Laboratory Reports PM2.5 Quarterly Reports Archived PM2.5 AQS & PARS data


CN Provides Independent Audits• Independent evaluation of

tribal monitors• Criteria Pollutant, PM,

and Meteorological Networks

• Provide detailed audit results forms and letters of verification

• Make sure the tribe is aware of broken or out of specification equipment


Technical Assistance to ITEC Tribes

• Independent Audits• AQS assistance

Site registrationData Entry AQS training: Access, Uploads, Reports, etc.Precision & Accuracy (PARS) Training


Technical Assistance to Tribes

• Network Design

• Shelter Engineering

• QMP’s & QAPP’s

• Technical Training


Honorable Mention

• AQS Tribal Codes

• XML UploadsInformation Exchange


Teamwork

• Communication is critical to program success!

what is the cherokee nation? cherokee nation air quality data management concepts for quality data...

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