California Air Resources Board

Corrective Action Notification

A comprehensive corrective action system is an essential component for the enhancement of data quality and the facilitation of continuous improvement to the data collection process. To meet this need, CARB’s Quality Management Branch (QMB) developed the Corrective Action Notification (CAN) process. The objective of the CAN process is to document, investigate, correct, and reduce the recurrence of air monitoring issues that impact or potentially impact data quality, completeness, storage, or reporting.

The CAN process may be initiated by any person in CARB’s PQAO who identifies an air monitoring issue that impacts or may impact the quality of air monitoring data. Examples of issues include, site monitoring conditions outside of specifications or requirements, out of date calibration gas standards, incomplete chain-of-custody forms, laboratory parameters outside of specifications, etc. The responsible organization is expected to investigate the issue and implement appropriate corrective action to resolve the issue and prevent recurrence. A copy of the completed CAN form including the corresponding corrective action is submitted to QMB for review. Once QMB and the responsible organization have worked together to implement appropriate corrective action, a CAN closure letter will be sent by QMB to the responsible organization.

The CAN process helps ensure the data collected within CARB’s PQAO is scientifically and legally valid and meets the requirements for which it is intended. Monitoring organizations within CARB’s PQAO are encouraged to adopt this process. If a monitoring organization chooses to use an alternative process, the monitoring organization must submit the process to CARB for review and approval.

• CAN SOP
• CAN Form

Air Quality Data Action

An Air Quality Data Action (AQDA) is a request for an investigation of the validity of ambient air quality data for a certain period of time. AQDAs are generally issued by QMB staff based upon review of field calibrations or audit results that show air monitoring equipment operating outside CARB's control limits or not meeting appropriate siting conditions. AQDAs are issued to the person responsible for data collection and submittal for the monitoring organization. A copy of it is also sent to CARB's Air Quality Planning Branch, which withholds potentially impacted data from processing and publication until appropriate actions are taken. More information is available in the Quality Management Plan, Section 9.15.

District staff can view CANs and AQDAs issued to their district in PANDA.