SIMI VALLEY, California — Columbia Analytical Services, Inc. announces it has established a reliable test protocol for identifying odor and corrosion problems in drywall. The tests identify problems with drywall, generally reported as “Chinese drywall,” that initially affected many homes in the southeastern United States.

“Our team has developed three technically superior and legally-defensible analytical tests related to the drywall problem,” said Michael Tuday, Director of Research and Development at Columbia Analytical’s Simi Valley, California laboratory. “We have been studying the issue and testing both foreign and domestic drywall samples since February, 2008, and are excited to have found a testing solution to isolate this problem.”

The Simi Valley laboratory confirmed that hydrogen sulfide is one of the major contributing agents causing the corrosion. With its characteristic rotten egg smell, hydrogen sulfide is a likely contributor to reported odors in affected homes. Other researchers have also identified iron disulfide (pyrite) and strontium sulfide as possible corrosion culprits, as well.

Researchers at Columbia Analytical also determined the drywall in question contains a naturally occurring allotrope of elemental sulfur and have developed a novel means of quantifying orthorhombic cyclooctasulfur (S₈) in drywall via analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). In tests to-date, this sulfur allotrope is a unique and reliable marker in drywall products causing corrosion problems and has only been found in drywall imported from China.

Columbia Analytical has developed an innovative chamber test procedure for the measurement of hydrogen sulfide at ultra-low levels in suspect drywall. To confirm corrosivity, a jar test is used to document copper corrosion in the presence of test drywall samples.

These laboratory tests may be used to confirm visual home inspections and to demonstrate that corrosion effects are due to drywall and not other items in the home, such as carpets, cleaners, paints, or personal care products.

Columbia Analytical is an employee-owned, full-service environmental analytical network with laboratories and service centers nationwide. The company’s expertise encompasses air, water, dioxin, biological, pharmaceutical, and solid and hazardous waste analyses.

For more information about drywall testing, contact Alyson Fortune at 978.501.2735 or John Yokoyama at 805.526.7161 or visit Columbia Analytical’s website at www.caslab.com.

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Learn more about Chinese Drywall Testing…

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KELSO, Wash. - Columbia Analytical received the Excellence in Workforce Education business award from the Kelso-Longview Chamber of Commerce in Cowlitz County, Wash.

This award honors employers who have demonstrated achievement in providing high quality workforce education and training in Cowlitz County.

Award recipients were selected based upon the development and implementation of workforce programs that are innovative in nature; improve the preparation and performance of the emerging or incumbent workforce; have measurable outcomes; and demonstrate collaboration between business, government, and education.

Columbia Analytical attributes the success of its workforce education program to having many quality educational opportunities. The company requires employees to participate in 16-hours of company-paid continuing education per year, which can include in-house training, outside seminars, self-study, with up to 100% tuition reimbursement. In addition, Columbia Analytical provides 16-hours of initial Ethics training to all new employees and provides on-going quarterly ethics training to all employees.

Columbia Analytical employees in its Kelso, Wash. laboratory participated in over 4,000 hours of company-paid continuing education in 2008 for an average of 24 hours per employee.

Columbia Analytical has partnered with Lower Columbia College (LCC) in Longview, Wash. to provide on-site technical training, including technical writing and introduction to chemistry courses, for its employees. President of Columbia Analytical, Steve Vincent, currently serves as the LCC Foundation President. Approximately 15% of the Columbia Analytical’s Kelso employees are LCC graduates and over 30% of its employees have taken LCC courses.

Columbia Analytical also provides two to three LCC Fellowships per year for selected candidates. This fellowship provides a 100% paid scholarship for books, fees and tuition as well as a part-time job for selected candidates. The company nurtures science focused education for deserving scholars with the hope that they will become outstanding employees for Columbia Analytical.

For more information, please contact Alicia Shepard of Columbia Analytical Services, Inc.

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PHOENIX, Ariz. – Columbia Analytical Services, Inc., a national laboratory network including locations in Phoenix and Tucson, has promoted Todd Poyfair to direct their Arizona laboratories. Todd is replacing Beth Proffitt, who was recently promoted to Vice President, Corporate Business Development.

Poyfair has been an employee with Columbia Analytical for 18 years and most recently served as supervisor of the General Chemistry and Organic Extractions departments at their laboratory in Kelso, Washington.

“Todd is a great resource to move into our Arizona Operations,” said Steve Vincent, president of Columbia Analytical. “With his help we will put systems in place so that we can routinely provide higher level QC data validation packages.”

Columbia Analytical is an employee-owned, full-service environmental analytical network with laboratories and service centers nationwide. Their expertise encompasses air, water, dioxin, biological, pharmaceutical, and solid and hazardous waste analyses. Visit them on the web at www.caslab.com.

Recent news reports suggest that wallboard may be causing odor problems and potential safety concerns for some homeowners, initially reported from Florida.

Certain wallboard materials in the presence of heat and humidity may emit odors, cause corrosion of wiring in homes and lead to health concerns.

Preliminary reports stated that the suspect materials came from China; however, state and federal health officials are currently researching numerous sources as well as any potential health hazards. Columbia Analytical has been performing analyses to support these efforts.

Columbia Analytical is one of a very few laboratories in the United States that can test for a wide range of compounds in air. Their expertise includes the testing of air samples or samples of the wallboard material itself. Please contact the laboratory at 805-526-7161 for more information or to obtain a quote.

Learn more about odor testing…

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Columbia Analytical Services, Inc. recently teamed with Gravity Environmental, LLC (Snoqualmie, WA) on a lower Columbia River project that called for high volume sampling to obtain ultra trace detection limits for a number of target compounds. The sampling was done using equipment that was custom built, validated, and optimized by Gravity Environmental. The sample media was prepared for use in the field by Columbia Analytical and then analyzed for ultra-trace concentrations of Organochlorine Pesticides, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB), Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH), and Dioxins/Furans.

Shawn Hinz, Scientist/Owner of Gravity Environmental discusses their sampling techniques with Jeff Christian, Lab Director of Columbia Analytical.

Columbia Analytical presented a technical paper entitled “Comparison of Naphthalene Ambient Air Sampling & Analysis Methods at Former Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP) Remediation Sites” during the Air Monitoring Technical Session at the MGP USA 2008: Third International Symposium and Exhibition on the Redevelopment of Manufactured Gas Plant Sites, September 23-25, 2008, in Mystic, CT.

MGP USA 2008 is the third international symposium in an on-going series, initiated in 1995, focusing on how the remediation and redevelopment of MGP sites is taking place today. The presentation was delivered by Ms. Alyson Fortune, an Air Quality Scientist with Columbia Analytical Services, with the paper co-authored by Leo Gendron, Senior Program Manager at ENSR in Westford, MA.

The paper included real world data from 105 co-located EPA TO-15 and EPA TO-13A samples; findings showed that the EPA TO-15 method consistently yielded higher concentrations of naphthalene than EPA TO-13A. “The findings in this paper are consistent with what our lab has seen anecdotally for 20 years”, Fortune said.

Read the Naphthalene Ambient Air Sampling abstract…

For those interested in the measurement of naphthalene in ambient air, please contact Columbia Analytical at 805-526-7161.

HOUSTON, Texas — The Houston Laboratory of Columbia Analytical is fortunate to have survived Hurricane Ike without any damage or physical harm to staff and their families. Electricity, phones and internet have all been restored to the lab.

Clients sending samples should contact the Houston laboratory directly for updates on shipping availability and procedures. The laboratory may be reached at 713.266.1599 or through the URL: http://www.caslab.com/Houston-Laboratory/

KELSO, Wash. — Columbia Analytical Services, Inc. is proud to announce the addition of Nicolas Bloom, one of the world’s foremost chemists in metals speciation. Bloom will serve as a project manager for selected metals research and development activities at Columbia Analytical’s Kelso, Wash., laboratory.

“The addition of Nicolas Bloom affirms our reputation as an innovative analytical laboratory in the field of metals analyses,” said Jeff Christian, laboratory director of the company’s Kelso facility.

Bloom is most noted for his expertise in the field of speciation and bioavailability of trace metals. In his 30 years of experience, he has authored hundreds of publications and provided expert advice to many international organizations. Bloom has served on numerous national scientific advisory committees under the EPA and other government and scientific organizations, some of which have resulted in congressional reports and findings.

Bloom’s expertise is in ultra-clean field sampling for the determination of trace metals in atmospheric, aqueous (including seawater), sediment, soil, and biotic medias. Tracing these metals requires advanced knowledge of cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectroscopy, hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, Zeeman graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy, neutron activation anaylsis, and colormetric methods.

In his new position, Bloom will expand Columbia Analytical’s speciation capabilities for metals and organometallics. His work related to trace metals in petroleum materials will be continued at Columbia Analytical. “I am excited for the opportunity to work with such a world-class organization,” said Bloom. “I look forward to new analytical technique discoveries that will provide answers to many chemical questions here at Columbia Analytical.”

Founded in 1986, Columbia Analytical is an employee-owned, full service analytical laboratory network. Headquartered in Kelso, Washington, the company’s network is comprised of seven laboratories in Arizona, California, Florida, New York, Texas and Washington. Columbia Analytical’s expertise encompasses air, water, dioxin, biological, pharmaceutical, and solid and hazardous waste analyses.

For more information on Columbia Analytical please call 360.577.7222 or visit the company’s website at www.caslab.com.

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Nicolas Bloom shown preparing for low-level mercury analysis using EPA method 1631, which he pioneered.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Columbia Analytical Services, Inc. announces the addition of Christy Draper to their eastern technical sales force.

Draper joins Columbia Analytical with 21 years of experience in the environmental laboratory field, where she has held positions as Senior Analytical Chemist and National Account Executive. Draper has expertise in the EPA Safe Drinking Water program, Department of Defense programs, and many aspects of environmental testing.

“Draper will focus on the southeastern sector of the US and will also work with national accounts in the Eastern Region,” said Bob Wyeth, senior vice president of Columbia Analytical. “Her expertise will provide our clients technical depth and resources for their projects.”
 
Draper’s other skills include 40 hours of OSHA training, field sampling and testing support and advanced SCUBA, including research diving. She has a BA in Biology and Chemistry and did her Masters Degree work in Marine Biology. She is a current Board Member of the NW Chapter of Florida Association of Environmental Professionals, has served as past Pensacola Post President for the Society of American Military Engineers and is a member of AWWA. Draper resides in Pensacola, Florida.

Established in 1986, Columbia Analytical is an employee-owned, full service analytical laboratory network. Headquartered in Kelso, Washington, their network is comprised of seven laboratories in Arizona, California, Florida, New York, Texas and Washington. Their expertise encompasses air, water, dioxin, biological, pharmaceutical, and solid and hazardous waste analyses.

For more information on Columbia Analytical please contact Draper at 850.377.1535 or check out the company’s website at www.caslab.com.

Kelso, Wash. — Robert Wyeth, senior vice president of Columbia Analytical Services, will speak about the efforts toward national environmental laboratory accreditation and the activities of The NELAC Institute. Wyeth’s presentation will be for the National Environmental Monitoring Conference (NEMC) to be held August 10-16, 2008 in Washington, DC.

“It will be a history, current status and a prediction of where we are going while avoiding the pitfalls and taking advantage of the positive aspects of accreditation,” said Wyeth.

The conference’s 2008 program features four keynote presentations as well as 140 technical and poster sessions. Wyeth’s presentation will be offered on Thursday, August 14, 2008 entitled, ‘Moving Forward on National Accreditation.’ He will also be available during the conference for questions.

The NEMC was initiated in 1985 as part of EPA’s efforts to foster a partnership among the agency, the regulated community, the public, state regulatory agencies, and the other members of the monitoring community.

Wyeth has more than 35 years in the environmental testing industry and is currently a technical and regulatory expert for Columbia Analytical Services, Inc. He also serves on the Board of Directors of The NELAC Institute and the Environmental Sciences Section of the American Council of Independent Laboratories.

For more information on the conference or Wyeth’s presentation visit Columbia Analytical’s website at www.caslab.com or contact Wyeth at 716-860-9108.