Quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) are essential elements of laboratory toxicity test procedures. A good QA/QC program provides a framework and criteria for assessing data quality, including a well-defined chain of responsibility, explicit data-quality indicators (DQIs), test procedures, protocols, and a mechanism for identifying and correcting potential problems. Elements to be included in a quality assurance plan (QAP) are outlined in Section 1020 A and Section 9020 A; other resources for developing a comprehensive QAP for laboratory toxicity-testing programs are available.1–7 At a minimum, QAPs for laboratories performing aquatic toxicity testing provide specific guidance on DQIs, test procedures, sample handling, data management, internal QC, and corrective actions.
The content presented here represents the most current version of this section, which was printed in the 24th edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater.
8020 QUALITY ASSURANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL IN LABORATORY TOXICITY TESTS
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Standard Methods Committee of the American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association, and Water Environment Federation. 8020 quality assurance and quality control in laboratory toxicity tests
In: Standard Methods For the Examination of Water and Wastewater. Lipps WC, Baxter TE, Braun-Howland E, editors. Washington DC: APHA Press.
DOI: 10.2105/SMWW.2882.151