KELSO, Wash. – Columbia Analytical Services, Inc. announces a new website service that allows users to search the California Proposition 65 (Prop 65) chemical list online. The database of 775 chemicals is searchable by a CAS registry number or by the chemical name and when clicked, shows the risk level, maximum allowable dose level, type of toxicity, date listed, and listing mechanism.

“This appears be the only searchable Prop 65 chemical list on the internet,” said Trent Mueller, Webmaster for Columbia Analytical Services. “People may find it useful to do a quick web search to see if their chemical is on the list, rather than search through the entire Prop 65 document itself.”

The chemicals in the Prop 65 list are known to the state of California to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity. The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, also known as Prop 65, requires that the governor revise and republish at least once per year the list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity. All businesses in the state must notify Californians about significant amounts of chemicals found in their products, or those that may be released into the environment. California’s Prop 65 list is recognized nationwide as being the standard for which other states aim.

The searchable Prop 65 list is also linked to a broader database containing thousands of analytes, which may also show the chemical formula, its structure, stability, melting point, among other information. To search the list, users may visit http://www.caslab.com/Proposition-65-List/ or go to www.caslab.com and type “Prop 65” in the search.

Columbia Analytical’s network of laboratories provide analytical testing to government agencies, industry, and consultants. Their services include general and specialty environmental testing of water, soil, air and biota samples, as well as product testing for companies in the aerospace, automotive, engineering, mining, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, pulp and paper, transportation, utilities, and waste management industries.

Search the Proposition 65 List…

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 visit Columbia Analytical’s website at www.caslab.com.

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Learn more about Chinese Drywall Testing…

Learn more about Low Cost Chinese Drywall Testing…

Learn more about Chinese Drywall Problems…

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Columbia Analytical has completed the implementation of the National Council of Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI) Method AQ-S108.01 for the determination of anthraquinone in pulp and paper products.

In response to California’s listing of anthraquinone with Proposition 65, many companies are proactively having their products tested for anthraquinone in advance of the ruling’s effective date. This procedure is currently being performed by Columbia Analytical as written and released by NCASI.

Columbia Analytical has been in consultation with NCASI scientists over the past year in preparation for this action by the state. This preparation enabled Columbia Analytical to be in position to offer the Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) procedure in time for pulp and paper operations to comply with the regulation.

Columbia Analytical is currently analyzing for anthraquinone in samples for multiple organizations.

For more information on anthraquinone analysis, please contact Jeff Christian at 360-501-3316 or Ed Wallace at 360-577-7222.

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Learn more about Anthraquinone (84-65-1) on California’s Proposition 65 list.