Newsletter

Analytical testing dots CAS Newsletter

Learn tips & techniques from laboratory experts in our email newsletter. Emails come approximately once a month.

Subscribe Now...

Analytical testing dots

PFOA and Related Compounds

April 2008 - CAS Monthly

In the early 2000s, the EPA began to investigate the synthetic compound Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA or C8) and its salts, primarily Ammonium Perfluorooctanate (APFO) and other fluoropolymers that may metabolize or degrade into PFOA.

Learn more about testing for PFOA and Related Compounds...

Analytical testing dots

Test for PPCPs and EDCs in Your Water

March 2008 - CAS Monthly

Every day wastewater is discharged into the waterways of the world, which may contain pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). PPCPs may be responsible for contamination of drinking water, estrogenic effects on humans and wildlife, and development of antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Learn more about testing for PPCPs and EDCs...

Analytical testing dots

GC/MS-Full Scan vs CG/MS-SIM

February 2008 - CAS Monthly

What’s the difference between GC/MS-Full Scan and GC/MS-SIM?

Learn more about GC/MS...

Analytical testing dots

Soil Gas Sampling

January 2008 - CAS Monthly

Soil gas sampling is increasing in frequency across the country as vapor intrusion continues to gain regulatory attention. When evaluating the potential for vapor intrusion at a particular site, it is useful to collect soil gas samples to find out how vapors and contaminants of concern are migrating in the subsurface, and whether or not those vapors are migrating indoors. Soil gas sampling, used in conjunction with state specific screening criteria.

Read more about soil gas sampling...

Analytical testing dots

Basic XRF, Vapor Intrusion, TO-15, and More

Winter 2007 - CAS Connection

Basic XRF Field Applications

Analytical Considerations for Air Samples for Vapor Intrusion Investigations

CAS Rochester adds TO-15 VOCs Air Analysis and Additional Full Servrvice Capabilities

CAS Announces Major Expansion Progress

Read more in the CAS Connection...

Analytical testing dots

MACT, Solid Fuel, Stack Testing

Winter 2006 - CAS Connection

Analytical Techniques for MACT Industrial Boilers Emissions Standards.

Solid Fuel Techniques - Solid Fuel Collection and Processing Procedures.

Stack Testing Techniques - Recommended Analytical Techniques to Comply
with Boiler MACT Regulations.

Read more about MACT, Solid Fuel, and Stack Testing...

 

Analytical testing dots

RoHS/WEEE Testing, Joint Industry Guide, ACIL awards

Fall 2005 - CAS Connection

RoHS and WEEE Compliance Testing. Columbia Analytical has developed advanced analytical methodologies for RoHS/WEEE compliance testing. We offer a comprehensive analysis package to comply with RoHS/WEEE regulatory requirements.

The Joint Industry Guide (JIG), "Material Composition Declaration for Electronics Products", JIG-101, including all constituents listed in Annex A and Annex B that have an associated "Threshold Level".

Read more about RoHS/WEEE and JIG...

Analytical testing dots

Perchlorate Report, OdorScan, Hexavalent Chromium, New HRMS Instruments

Winter 2005, CAS Connection

Highly Anticipated Perchlorate Report Released. On Tuesday, January 11th, 2005 the Committee to Access the Health Implications of Perchlorate Ingestion, convened by the National Research Council at the request of the EPA, DOD, NASA, and the DOE, released their report on the adverse health effects of perchlorate ingestion from clinical, toxicological and public health perspectives.

OdorScan Evaluation of a Composting Facilty - Columbia Analytical Services recently conducted a fi eld evaluation of OdorScan, a suite of methods that has been designed to address compounds that have very low odor thresholds and are irritating at low levels.

Hexavalent Chromium in Aqueous Samples Containing Color and Chemical Interferences - Today there are two common colorimetric techniques using a Diphenylcarbazide (DPC) solution for determining Hexavalent Chromium (Cr+6) in RCRA site water samples.

New HRMS Instruments Provide Lower Detection Limits - by Karen Verschoor, Houston, TX. Columbia Analytical Services is pleased to announce that our Houston laboratory has recently installed two new Waters Micromass AutoSpec-Ultima high resolution mass spectrometers.

Read more in the CAS Connection...

Analytical testing dots

Treatability, Emerging Chemicals, Biomass Analysis, Pharmaceutical Services, NCASI

Summer 2004, CAS Connection

Treatability Study for Heavy Metal Removal from Mine Water - Multi-phase treatability study developed to obtain quantitative information for removal of metals from water within the mining industry. Seven step process outlined to conduct the study.

Emerging Chemicals of Concern for the Environment by SPE coupled with HPLC and HPLC/MS/MS Detection. In a recent study by the USGS, 95 wastewater contaminants were found in 80 percent of the streams tested. A number of analytical methods by HPLC have been developed using various detectors to identify these compounds.

Biomass Analysis - and the Lagoon Winterization Programâ„¢. In support of the pulp and paper industry, expanded and improved options for wastewater treatment are introduced. A biomass analysis evaluates the overall health of the wastewater treatment system.

Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Analytical Services. An introduction of the new testing capabilities for these market segments are introduced.

NCASI Method 99.02 - To support the MACT standards for the pulp and paper industry, Columbia Analytical has been working with NCASI (National Council of Air and Stream Improvement) to bring on source sample testing for the wood products industry. In tandum, other Columbia Analytical laboratories have implemented the new methodology and adhered to the stringent Quality Assurance requirements outlined in the method.

Read more in the CAS Connection...

Analytical testing dots

Diphenyl Ethers, 1,4-Dioxane, Method Development, Testing Food Additives

Spring 2004, CAS Connection

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers by LVI-GC/MS-SIM - Brominated flame-retardants have gained increased attention as an "emergent chemical" of concern because of its persistence in the environment, potential for bioaccumulation and toxicity. In its commitment to technical innovation, CAS/Kelso is focused developing methodologies to analyze these new target compounds.

Low Level Analysis of 1,4-Dioxane by EPA Method 8270C SIM with Large Volume Injection (LVI) - Increased attention has been paid to this compound due to its increased presence in groundwater. CAS/Kelso has incorporated a new method to overcome analytical obstacles of the past.

Method Development for Addressing Emerging Chemicals of Concern in the U.S. - New chemical compounds have increased regulatory focus due to their potential affect on human health and ecological risk. Continued method development and focus has new procedures introduced at a quick pace.

Chemical Testing for Indirect Food Additives in Paper Products - Everyday paper products have potential to transfer chemical contaminants to food sources. Regulations, quality control and customer specifications are taken in to account.

Marketing VP Introduced - Wayne Word has been named as the Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for Columbia Analytical Services. He will be responsible for all marketing, business development and strategic program implementation from this Corporate position.

Read more in the CAS Connection...

Analytical testing dots

Sampling a Mummy, Trace Level Mercury, Pesticides & PCBs, Dioxins

Winter 2004, CAS Connection

Sampling and Analysis of the Atmosphere Surrounding an Egyptian Mummy - by Jeanette Campbell, Simi Valley, CA. In conjunction with the J. Paul Getty Museum, CAS/Simi Valley assisted with the determination of volatile and semivolatile organic compounds off-gassed by an entombed mummy in order to determine the impact of the off-gassing on other artifacts.

Measurement of Trace Level Mercury by EPA Method 1631 - by Ed Wallace, Josh Bailey and Jeff Coronado, Kelso, WA. Contamination derived from mercury is found to be derived from atmospheric deposition rather than traditional methods of contamination. Introduction of the Maximum Achievable Control Technologies (MACT) is prompting manufacturers to assess their discharge in accordance to the new regulation.

Ultra-Low Analysis of Pesticides and PCB Aroclors in Groundwater - by Janet Heston and Todd Poyfair, Kelso, WA. Significant improvements in detection limits for organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been achieved through recent instrumental advances and ultra-trace extraction techniques.

Japan National Institute of Environmental Studies (NIES) Signs Licensing Agreement with CAS for Dioxin Screening Cell Line - Columbia Analytical promotes quick screening analytical method for the measurement of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds using proprietary P450 HRGS (Human Reporter Gene Systems) cell line.

Read more in the CAS Connection...

Analytical testing dots

Drinking Water Testing, Passive Diffusion, Ethics, SIM

Fall 2003, CAS Connection

Comprehensive Drinking Water Testing Now Offered - by Jim Smith, Kelso, WA. CAS/Kelso introduces new drinking water capability to include a full suite of analyses. A new laboratory, dedicated to drinking water to avoid cross contamination, has been established with all new instrumentation.

Passive Diffusion Devices: Polyethylene Diffusion Bag (PDB) Samplers - by Walt Scheible, Rochester, NY. Four major reasons for the increased demand for alternative sampling devices are identified. A comparison of validation, types of sampling devices and related cost savings are described.

Ethics - The Foundation of Data Reliability - by Gary Ward, Kelso WA. Implementation of a company-wide Ethics Program for employees complements the stringent Quality Assurance Program at CAS.

Selective Ion Monitoring (SIM) for Low Level Applications in Vapor Samples - by John Yokoyama, Simi Valley, CA. With standard methods (TO14 and TO15) incapable of achieving ultra-low levels, a new method using selective ion monitoring (SIM) has been implemented to measure the compounds. The driving force of the lower limits has been health risk assessments.

Read more in the CAS Connection...

Analytical testing dots

Reductive Precipitation, HUBZone, Automated Data Review, Diffusive Sampling, PCBs

Summer 2003, CAS Connection

Ultra-Trace Metals Determinations using Reductive Precipitation and ICP-MS - CAS continues the development of analytical techniques for pre-concentration and chemical separation of trace metals in saline aqueous samples using reductive precipitation followed by ICP/MS.

A Small Business HUBZone Company, Use of the HUBZone status to stimulate economic development and create jobs in economically distressed urban and rural communities provides contracting preferences to small businesses in HUBZone areas.

Full Automated Data Review (ADR) Capabilities - Software tool developed to aid end-users in evaluating the quality of analytical chemistry results by performing routine data quality accuracy checks.

Diffusive Sampling for Ambient Air and Other Low Level Applications - A popular, easy to use option for the evaluation of workplace exposures to airborne contaminants is introduced.

Houston Dioxin Lab Adds PCB Congeners by EPA 1668 to Capabilities - Capabilities are expanded to include the analysis of PCB congeners by Method 1668A. The new methodology can capture an additional 125 congeners that are commonly tested in marine sediment and bioaccumulation studies.

Read more in the CAS Connection...