DRAFT Exhibit C and Qualifiers 2026.pdf

Exhibit C

BNL Data Qualifiers

DRAFT

Environmental Programs Revised 01/08/2026

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LABORATORY DATA QUALIFIERS

Organic Analytical Data

U Indicates that the compound was analyzed for but not detected. The sample quantitation limit must be corrected for dilution. For a soil/sediment sample, the value must also be corrected for percent moisture.

J Indicates an estimated value. This flag is used either when estimating a concentration for tentatively identified compounds (TICs) where a 1:1 response is assumed, or when the mass spectral data indicate the presence of a compound that meets the identification criteria but the result is less than the sample quantitation limit but greater than zero.

N Indicates presumptive evidence of a compound. This flag is used only for TICs, where the identification is based on a mass spectral library search.

P Used for pesticide/Aroclor target analytes when there is greater than 25% difference for detected concentrations between the two gas chromatograph (GC) columns.

C Applies to pesticide results where the identification has been confirmed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). If GC/MS confirmation was attempted but was unsuccessful, this flag is not applied; a laboratory-defined flag is used instead.

B Used when the analyte is found in the associated blank as well as in the sample. It indicates possible/probable blank contamination and warns the data user to take appropriate action. This flag must be used for TICs as well as for positively identified target compounds.

E Identifies compounds whose concentrations exceed the calibration range of the GC/MS instrument for that specific analysis.

D Identifies all compounds identified in an analysis at a secondary dilution factor. This flag alerts data users that any discrepancies between the concentrations reported may be due to dilution of the sample or extract.

A Indicates that a TIC is a suspected aldol-condensation product.

X Other specific flags may be required to properly define the results. If used, they must be fully described, and such description must be attached to the Sample Data Summary Package and the sample delivery group (SDG) narrative.

I Analyte does not meet the Ion Abundance Ratio and should be considered an estimated concentration.

Inorganic Analytical Data

B Indicates that the reported value was obtained from a reading that was less than the Contract Required Detection Limit (CRDL), but greater than or equal to the Instrument Detection Limit (IDL).

U Indicates that the analyte was analyzed for but not detected.

E Used when the reported value is estimated because of the presence of interference.

M Indicates that the duplicate injection precision was not met.

N Indicates that the spiked sample recovery is not within control limits.

S Indicates that the reported value was determined by the method of standard additions (MSA).

W Used when the post-digestion spike for furnace atomic absorption analysis is not within control limits (75%-125%), while sample absorbance is less than 50% of spike absorbance.

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* Indicates that the duplicate analysis is not within control limits.

+ Indicates that the correlation coefficient for the MSA is less than 0.995.

Radiochemical Analytical Data

J The associated numerical value is an estimated quantity.

JN Presumptive evidence of the presence of the material at an estimated quantity.

DL Detection limit requirements not met. Data quality objectives may not be met.

R The data are unusable (radionuclide may or may not be present).

UI (Uncertain identification for gamma spectroscopy) - Radionuclide peaks that are detected but fail to meet the positive identification criteria.

DATA VALIDATION QUALIFIERS

Data Qualifier Codes (Flags) - Code letters affixed to analytical results by the data validator to indicate the reliability and quantitative status of reported data.

U - The analyte was analyzed for, but not detected above the reported detection limit. The associated numerical value is the sample quantitation limit.

J - The associated numerical value was an estimated quantity.

R - The data are unusable/unreliable.

UJ - The analyte was analyzed for but was not detected. The sample quantitation limit is an estimated quantity.

F - The result is faulty due to problems outside the realm of typical validation rules/flags. This qualifier may be affixed to a result when the data validator has reason to consider the result suspect, warranting notification of the end-user of a possible problem.

N - Tentatively Identified.

Data Sub-qualifier Codes (Flags) – Sub-qualifier codes provide additional detail on the type and amount of qualification a given data point has received.

-H Qualified due to holding time violation.

-I Qualified due to interference problems (Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) serial dilution or poor analytical spike recovery/RSD/CV by graphite furnace).

-D Qualified due to precision problems (duplicate control limits being exceeded).

-S Qualified due to accuracy problems (matrix spike recoveries outside control limits).

-C Qualified due to instrument calibration problems.

-L Qualified due to accuracy problems (Laboratory Control Standard (LCS) recoveries outside control limits).

-B Qualified due to blank contamination problems.

-K Qualified due to negative blank value problems.

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-Q Qualified for other reasons (refer to the text of the report).

-G Qualified due to background problems.

-T Qualified due to chemical tracer or internal standard problem.

J-X1 Result does not meet USEPA Region II validation criteria of at least 10% solids for a solid sample. However, results meet data quality objectives of the project.

J-X2 Result is estimated and considered field data. Analytical method used was not a Federal or State approved method.

-X3 Sample was not collected by BNL personnel or a BNL representative. Location of sample collection is estimated.

Data Usability Codes (Flags)

N1 Not usable based on potential false positives. Radionuclide results have reported activity less than or equal to the MDC and/or the uncertainty, or the LOD (2.33 times the one-sigma uncertainty)

N2 The results are not distinguishable from background. The reported concentration value is less than or equal to the sum of the MDC and the uncertainty or the RDL (4.66 times the one-sigma uncertainty). Analyte not detected at an estimated MDC.

N3 Not usable based on lack of expected daughter products.

N4 Not usable based on local knowledge of radioactive sources and/or environmental levels.

N5 Not usable based on level of quality for precision.

A1 The data was considered usable.