Description
TNT and DNT can be toxic, as
well as explosive Investigating
large sites according to traditional rules can be exorbitantly expensive. Statistics
is a powerful tool when used appropriately. |
This plant produced TNT along 16
production lines within a one-square mile valley. The process
potentially spills TNT and DNT (a TNT precursor), both of which may be of
environmental concern in soil.
Due to the large area of the site, a traditional
statistical design of the soils investigation (as proposed by the
incumbent environmental contractor) called for 20,000 samples. With
improved statistical analysis and exploiting expected similarities among
all 16 lines, we recommended an investigation using 400 samples. It
proceeded by sampling along one production line and then confirming the
findings through random samples of the remaining lines.
The investigation (carried out by another contractor
according to our design) was rapid and successful. It demonstrated
that potential contamination was confined to well-defined locations along
the process lines, thereby avoiding exhaustive sampling of the entire
facility.
Quantitative Decisions
Merion, Pennsylvania
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