Chapter 2.5.5 : Quality Control for USEPA Method 1623 Protozoan Analysis and PCR Analyses

Abstract:

The following subsections of this chapter presents QA procedures, including practical advice, for laboratories performing USEPA Method 1623 Cryptosporidium and Giardia protozoan analysis. As outlined in the previous QA subsections, a comprehensive QA program is a necessity for an environmental laboratory to accurately and confidently report both presence/absence and quantifiable results. A QA program outlines the components of a laboratory testing scheme that should be monitored whether it be daily, weekly, monthly and yearly, while the QC checks are put into place to ensure the discrete testing method components used throughout the testing protocol contribute minimal amount of error to the results. This outlined section is designed to give an overview of general laboratory QC practices for microscopic detection of microbial organisms.