Comments for Lab Science News http://www.caslab.com/News Tips & techniques from laboratory experts Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:36:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on Odor Investigations by Alyson Fortune, Columbia Analytical Services http://www.caslab.com/News/odor-investigations.html#comment-46 Alyson Fortune, Columbia Analytical Services Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:36:54 +0000 http://www.caslab.com/News/?p=12#comment-46 Sunni, In selected past odor investigation projects, our lab has seen both carbonyl sulfide and carbon disulfide related to products such as wallboard and silicone rubber. Those two components are also known low level artifacts in tedlar bags. Carbonyl sulfide can also be seen in propane and other natural gas products, since it is formed via hydrolysis in the presence of hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell) and carbon dioxide; however, if the source of these contaminants were from some type of natural gas/propane, I would expect to also see other natural gas odorants present as well (e.g. methyl mercaptan, tetrahydrothiophene). Sunni,

In selected past odor investigation projects, our lab has seen both carbonyl sulfide and carbon disulfide related to products such as wallboard and silicone rubber. Those two components are also known low level artifacts in tedlar bags. Carbonyl sulfide can also be seen in propane and other natural gas products, since it is formed via hydrolysis in the presence of hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell) and carbon dioxide; however, if the source of these contaminants were from some type of natural gas/propane, I would expect to also see other natural gas odorants present as well (e.g. methyl mercaptan, tetrahydrothiophene).

]]> Comment on Odor Investigations by Sunni http://www.caslab.com/News/odor-investigations.html#comment-45 Sunni Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:36:27 +0000 http://www.caslab.com/News/?p=12#comment-45 We have just discovered the presence of Carbonyl Sulfide and Carbon Disulfide in our home but have no clue where it is coming from. It isn't present when all the windows and doors are closed; it is activated when a door and window is open. There is rarely an odor outside and it is always inside when there is ventilation. Any ideas? We have just discovered the presence of Carbonyl Sulfide and Carbon Disulfide in our home but have no clue where it is coming from. It isn’t present when all the windows and doors are closed; it is activated when a door and window is open. There is rarely an odor outside and it is always inside when there is ventilation. Any ideas?

]]> Comment on Testing for Trihalomethanes in Your Water (TTHM) by Beth/Columbia Analytical-PHX http://www.caslab.com/News/testing-for-trihalomethanes-in-your-water-tthm.html#comment-43 Beth/Columbia Analytical-PHX Thu, 18 Sep 2008 23:50:03 +0000 http://www.caslab.com/News/?p=11#comment-43 Chloroform may be generated by marine algae and in organic-rich spruce forest soil, aided by fugus. Chloroform may be generated by marine algae and in organic-rich spruce forest soil, aided by fugus.

]]> Comment on Testing for Trihalomethanes in Your Water (TTHM) by GEORGE GEORGIOU http://www.caslab.com/News/testing-for-trihalomethanes-in-your-water-tthm.html#comment-42 GEORGE GEORGIOU Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:29:49 +0000 http://www.caslab.com/News/?p=11#comment-42 Thank you for the reply. You are very kind. Can chloroform be found in nature or is it only found in water that has been treated with chlorine? Thank you for the reply. You are very kind.
Can chloroform be found in nature or is it only found in water that has been treated with chlorine?

]]> Comment on Testing for Trihalomethanes in Your Water (TTHM) by Beth, Columbia Analytical http://www.caslab.com/News/testing-for-trihalomethanes-in-your-water-tthm.html#comment-41 Beth, Columbia Analytical Thu, 18 Sep 2008 16:20:48 +0000 http://www.caslab.com/News/?p=11#comment-41 The presence of Trichloromethane (chloroform) would probably indicate that the water is tap water. This might help to determine the source of your problem. The presence of Trichloromethane (chloroform) would probably indicate that the water is tap water. This might help to determine the source of your problem.

]]> Comment on Testing for Trihalomethanes in Your Water (TTHM) by GEORGE GEORGIOU http://www.caslab.com/News/testing-for-trihalomethanes-in-your-water-tthm.html#comment-40 GEORGE GEORGIOU Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:39:08 +0000 http://www.caslab.com/News/?p=11#comment-40 I forgot to indicate that the units of the above are ug/l. I would appreciate your comments I forgot to indicate that the units of the above are ug/l. I would appreciate your comments

]]> Comment on Testing for Trihalomethanes in Your Water (TTHM) by GEORGE GEORGIOU http://www.caslab.com/News/testing-for-trihalomethanes-in-your-water-tthm.html#comment-39 GEORGE GEORGIOU Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:35:10 +0000 http://www.caslab.com/News/?p=11#comment-39 I CARRIED OUT AN ANALYSIS FOR SOME WATER FLOWING INTO MY BASEMENT. THE ANALYSIS INDICATED : DIBROMOCHLOROMETHANE <0.15 DICHLOROBROMOMETHANE <0.13 TRICHLOROMETHANE =0.21 TRIBROMOMETHANE <0.17 THM_TOTAL <1.0 AS I UNDERSTAND ALL THE ABOVE ARE TRIHALOMETHANES WHICH ARE BY PRODUCTS OF CHORINE IN THE PROCESS OF WATER TREATMENT. DOES THE PRESENCE OF THESE CHEMICALS INDICATE THAT THE WATER IS DRINKING WATER ? PRODUCTS OF CH I CARRIED OUT AN ANALYSIS FOR SOME WATER FLOWING INTO MY BASEMENT. THE ANALYSIS INDICATED :
DIBROMOCHLOROMETHANE <0.15
DICHLOROBROMOMETHANE <0.13
TRICHLOROMETHANE =0.21
TRIBROMOMETHANE <0.17
THM_TOTAL <1.0

AS I UNDERSTAND ALL THE ABOVE ARE TRIHALOMETHANES WHICH ARE BY PRODUCTS OF CHORINE IN THE PROCESS OF WATER TREATMENT. DOES THE PRESENCE OF THESE CHEMICALS INDICATE THAT THE WATER IS DRINKING WATER ? PRODUCTS OF CH

]]> Comment on Testing for Trihalomethanes in Your Water (TTHM) by Columbia Analytical http://www.caslab.com/News/testing-for-trihalomethanes-in-your-water-tthm.html#comment-38 Columbia Analytical Mon, 11 Aug 2008 22:36:41 +0000 http://www.caslab.com/News/?p=11#comment-38 Thank you for your question, Jean. There are many filtration systems on the market which have different capabilities. I would suggest you contact the manufacturer of your system and ask them specifically if their system filters out trihalomethanes (THMs) and under what conditions. If you want to be sure, we can certainly test the water coming out of your system to tell you whether there are still THMs present. Thank you for your question, Jean. There are many filtration systems on the market which have different capabilities. I would suggest you contact the manufacturer of your system and ask them specifically if their system filters out trihalomethanes (THMs) and under what conditions. If you want to be sure, we can certainly test the water coming out of your system to tell you whether there are still THMs present.

]]> Comment on Testing for Trihalomethanes in Your Water (TTHM) by Jean http://www.caslab.com/News/testing-for-trihalomethanes-in-your-water-tthm.html#comment-37 Jean Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:20:05 +0000 http://www.caslab.com/News/?p=11#comment-37 I have the same question...the total in our trihalomethanes in town water is 83ppb. I have a reverse osmosis filtration system. Will this clean some of the trihalomethanes out? I didn't find any resourses to answer this question. I have the same question…the total in our trihalomethanes in town water is 83ppb. I have a reverse osmosis filtration system. Will this clean some of the trihalomethanes out? I didn’t find any resourses to answer this question.

]]> Comment on Testing for Trihalomethanes in Your Water (TTHM) by Dee O'Neill, Columbia Analytical http://www.caslab.com/News/testing-for-trihalomethanes-in-your-water-tthm.html#comment-28 Dee O'Neill, Columbia Analytical Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:18:39 +0000 http://www.caslab.com/News/?p=11#comment-28 Hi Eric! Thank you for your question. Probably the best source for information about water treament options would be the EPA and your State Department of Health. They can tell you which options would best fit your specific situation. Both agencies have websites for more information. Hi Eric! Thank you for your question. Probably the best source for information about water treament options would be the EPA and your State Department of Health. They can tell you which options would best fit your specific situation. Both agencies have websites for more information.

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