Glossary

A2LA = American Association for Laboratory Accreditation
AWAL = American West Analytical Laboratories
BOD = Biochemical Oxygen Demand
BTEX = Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylenes
CAR = Corrective Action Report
CERCLA = Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
CLP = Contract Laboratory Program. The program set up by the USEPA to regulate Superfund (CERCLA) activities including sampling, analysis, and data validation.
COC = Chain of Custody
COD = Chemical Oxygen Demand
CWA = Clean Water Act. Includes waste water from NPDES and related sources. Reference is 40 CFR Part 136
DBCP = 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane
DQO = Data Quality Objectives. Qualitative and quantitative statements derived from the DQO process that clarify study technical and quality objectives, define the appropriate type of data, and specify tolerable levels of potential decision errors that will be used as the basis for establishing the quality and quantity of data needed to support decisions.
DRO = Diesel Range Organics
EDB = Ethylene Dibromide. AWAL uses the IUPAC name “Dibromoethane”.
ELAP-DOD = Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program – Department of Defense
FID = Flame Ionization Detector
GALP = Good Automated Laboratory Practices
GC = Gas Chromatograph or Gas Chromatography
GC/MS = Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry
GFAA = Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption
GLP = Good Laboratory Practices
GRO = Gasoline Range Organics
ICP = Inductively Coupled Plasma. An atomic emission instrument for the analysis of metals.
ICP/MS = Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry
ISO 17025 = International Organization for Standardization – General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories
IUPAC = International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
LCS = Laboratory Control Sample. A laboratory generated blank sample spiked with target analytes.
LIMS = Laboratory Information Management System
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level
MDL = Method Detection Limit. A calculated limit determined by analyzing at least 7 replicate samples of the same concentration (2-5 times the expected MDL). The standard deviation is determined and multiplied by the student T value for the number of samples analyzed. This method reference is 40 CFR Part 136 Appendix B.
MS = Matrix Spike. A sample spiked with a known concentration of target analyte(s) used for accuracy information.
MSD = Matrix Spike Duplicate. A second spiked sample used for both accuracy and precision information when compared to the MS.
MTBE = Methyl tert-butyl Ether
NELAC = National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Committee
NELAP = National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program. A nationwide laboratory certification program.
NLLAP = National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program
NPDES = National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
PAH = Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons
PID = Photoionization Detector
PNA = Polynuclear Aromatic
PP = Priority Pollutants
PQL = Practical Quantitation Limit. Usually a factor of approximately 3-5 times the laboratory MDL to better simulate a real sample matrix since the MDL is determined in a deionized water matrix.
QA/QC = Quality Assurance/Quality Control
QAPP or QAPjP = Quality Assurance Project Plan. A formal document describing in comprehensive detail the necessary QA, QC, and other technical activities that must be implemented to ensure the results of the work performed will satisfy the stated performance criteria.
QMP = Quality Management Plan. A formal document that describes the quality system in terms of the organizational structure, functional responsibilities of management and staff, lines of authority, and required interfaces for those planning, implementing, and assessing all activities conducted.
RCRA = Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
SAP = Sampling and Analysis Plan
SDWA = Safe Drinking Water Act. Includes public and private drinking water. References is 40 CFR Parts 141 and 143.
SOP = Standard Operating Procedure. A written document that details the method for an operation, analysis, or action with thoroughly prescribed techniques and steps, and that is officially approved as the method for performing certain routine or repetitive tasks.
SPLP = Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure. Part of RCRA regulation.
Surrogates = Surrogate compounds are substances normally not found in nature that are intentionally added at a known concentration and a recovery in percent is calculated.
TAT = Turnaround Time. The time from sample receipt until final data is transmitted.
TCLP = Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure. Part of RCRA regulation.
TDS = Total Dissolved Solids
TKN = Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen
TOC = Total Organic Carbon
TOX = Total Organic Halogens
TPH = Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons
TPPH = Total Purgeable Petroleum Hydrocarbons
TQM = Total Quality Management
TRPH = Total Recoverable Petroleum Hydrocarbons
TSCA = Toxic Substances and Control Act
TSS = Total Suspended Solids
TTO = Total Toxic Organics (Priority Pollutant List of Organics including volatiles, semi-volatiles, and pesticides/PCBs).
TVS = Total Volatile Solids
USEPA = United States Environmental Protection Agency
UST = Underground Storage Tank
VOA = Volatile Organic Analysis
VOC = Volatile Organic Compounds
VOX = Volatile Organic Halogens
WAD = Weak Acid Dissociable (term used in cyanide analysis).