An experience of data quality evaluation in pollen monitoring activities.
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.
Berti
Giovanna
G
Regional Environmental Protection Agency, Piedmont, Via Pio VII, 9, 10135, Torino, Italy.
Isocrono
Deborah
D
Ropolo
Luciana
L
Caranci
Nicola
N
Cesare
Maria Rita
MR
Fossa
Valeria
V
Caramiello
Rosanna
R
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
D052638:Particulate Matter