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