This guide presents a logical process for determining the usability of environmental data for decision making activities. The process describes a series of steps to determine if the enviromental data were collected as planned by the project team and to determine if the a priori expectations/assumptions of the team were met.

This guide identifies the technical issues pertinent to the integrity of the environmental sample collection and analysis process. It guides the data assessor and data user about the appropriate action to take when data fail to meet acceptable standards of quality and reliability.

The guide discusses, in practical terms, the proper application of statistical procedures to evaluate the database. It emphasizes the major issues to be considered and provides references to more thorough statistical treatments for those users involved in detailed statistical assessments.

This guide is intended for those who are responsible for making decisions about environmental waste management projects.

1.1 This guide covers a practical strategy for examining an environmental project data collection effort and the resulting data to determine if they will support the intended use. It covers the review of project activities to determine conformance with the project plan and impact on data usability. This guide also leads the user through a logical sequence to determine which statistical protocols should be applied to the data.

1.1.1 This guide does not establish criteria for the acceptance or use of data but instructs the assessor/user to use the criteria established by the project team during the planning (data quality objective process), and optimization and implementation (sampling and analysis plan) process.

1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.