The proper use of analytical data requires adequate documentation of all inputs, that is, the source and history of the sample, laboratory performing the analysis, method of analysis, date of analysis, precision and bias of the measurements, and related quality assurance information.

In order to have defensible data, the report must be complete and accurate, providing adequate information to evaluate the quality of the data and contain supporting information that documents sampling and analysis procedures.

This guide contains some of the common data qualifiers or “flags” commonly used by laboratories following the Good Laboratory Practices, the Government Contract program, or found in the commercial laboratories. Examples of these qualifiers are the use of (E) for estimated value, (U) for analyzed for but not detected, and (B) for analyte was found in the blank (see 8.11). The qualifiers included in this guide should help the laboratory and its customers to better understand each other by using standardized qualifiers.

Practice D 933 is a comprehensive practice for reporting water-formed constituents such as metal oxides, acid anhydrides, and others.

1.1 This guide provides guidelines for reporting inorganic and organic results of analyses of drinking water, waste water, process water, ground water, and surface water, and so forth, to laboratory clients in a complete and systematic fashion.

1.2 The reporting of bacterial and radiological data are not addressed in this guide.

1.3 The commonly used data qualifiers for reviewing and reporting information are listed and defined. Client and laboratory specific requirements may make use of other qualifiers. This guide does not preclude the use of other data qualifiers.

1.4 This guide discusses procedures for and specific problems in the reporting of low level data, potential errors (Type I and Type II), and reporting data that are below the calculated method detection limit and above the analyte.