Description and Purpose

Parties involved with site cleanups obtain analytical results from laboratories reporting the concentrations of contaminants in groundwater and soil.  These data are used to generate reports which compare the results to the generic Part 201 cleanup criteria and Part 213 RBSLs (the criteria), as provided in RRD Operational Memorandum No. 1, Attachment 1.  DataCriteriaComparisons is an application developed by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Remediation and Redevelopment Division (RRD) that quickly and easily generates these comparisons for small or large data sets.  This application can also provide additional information useful for site evaluations such as frequency of detection, number of exceedances above criteria, and maximum concentrations.  The DataCriteriaComparisons application is available to the public - see "Downloading Instructions" on this page.  The application will simplify the process of generating reports which summarize data and compare them to criteria.

Requirements for Using Data Criteria Comparisons

Requirements for using the application are a computer with Microsoft Access 2002 (or a more recent version), Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Word.  Laboratory results must be provided in an Excel spreadsheet and formatted as required by laboratories submitting electronic lab results to the RRD.  The details of the lab data formatting requirements are included with the download for DataCriteriaComparisons and are designed to be consistent with the criteria.  An example set of laboratory data in the standard format is included with the download.

Downloading Instructions

Download rrd-DataCriteriaComparisons.zip onto your computer and save in any directory.  The downloaded file is a condensed file (zip) with four files that must be extracted:

(1)            DataCriteriaComparisons.mde (version 1.1)

(2)            Instructions for DataCriteriaComparisons.doc

(3)            MDEQ-RRD Reporting Requirements.doc

(4)            Example Data.xls.

Use of Data Criteria Comparisons for the Part 201 and Part 213 Programs

Reports showing the comparisons of lab results to the criteria are necessary but not by themselves sufficient to demonstrate compliance.  All applicable guidance for Part 201 and Part 213 must be followed to assure proper collection, analysis, and evaluation of environmental data.  This guidance can be obtained from the RRD website.  DataCriteriaComparisons may be revised on occasion.  Note that the RRD cannot support alterations of DataCriteriaComparisons once downloaded to a computer.  Parties should check this website for updated versions and/or subscribe to the DEQ-RRD listserver for notifications of future updates.  To subscribe to the DEQ-RRD listserver, send an email to rpf@michigan.gov or click on the following link and follow the directions to subscribe to the DEQ-RRD Listserver:  http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3306_3329-12350--,00.html.

For information and help with Data Criteria Comparisons, contact Ralph Curtis at 517-373-8389, or at curtisar@michigan.gov.