title: An experience of data quality evaluation in pollen monitoring activities.
abstract: In this work we report the results of some quality control tests performed on laboratory procedures referring to aerobiological monitoring activities between 2005 and 2007. In every test, the results of each operator have been compared with the scores of a group of experts. For quality evaluation, we have used accuracy and precision to define the percentage error for identification of taxa and counts of pollen grains. Cohen's K has been estimated for the analysis of reliability. This work suggests a method to set up an intercalibration test for airborne pollen monitoring and to introduce the suitableness of measurement quality objectives (MQOs). The results show the important role of operators' training and the need for standards in pollen monitoring quality evaluation.
authors: Regional Environmental Protection Agency, Piedmont, Via Pio VII, 9, 10135, Torino, Italy.
authors: Giovanna
authors: G
authors: Berti
authors: Deborah
authors: D
authors: Isocrono
authors: Luciana
authors: L
authors: Ropolo
authors: Nicola
authors: N
authors: Caranci
authors: Maria Rita
authors: MR
authors: Cesare
authors: Valeria
authors: V
authors: Fossa
authors: Rosanna
authors: R
authors: Caramiello
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D007558:Italy; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*; D011058:Pollen / Q000145:classification; D011786:Quality Control; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
chemical_list: D052638:Particulate Matter