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Organic Chemistry Section Tests | Certification | FAQ | Glossary | Links Mass Spectrometry Department | Ambient Air Analysis | PCBs and Pesticides in Tissue & Wildlife | PCBs and Pesticides in the Human Population | Safe Drinking Water Act | Sediments and Soils | PCB Congeners | Emerging Contaminants | Low Level PCBs and Pesticides in Surface Water
The Air Analysis section, in conjunction with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) - Air Bureau, and the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services performs a variety of analytical testing on environmental ambient air samples throughout the state of Wisconsin. This testing includes modified TO-14 Air Toxics, Reformulated Gasoline, TO-4 PCBs and Pesticides and Photochemical Assessment Monitoring (PAMS). Ambient Air for VOCs The bulk of the analysis is performed on ambient air samples collected in 1.5 or 6 liter Summa-lined canisters. The canisters are collected in various locations around the state and shipped to the laboratory where they are sampled, cleaned, evacuated and sent back to the WDNR. Analysis is performed by utilizing one of two analytical systems. The first is a NUTECH air canister autosampling system connected to a cryogenic concentrator. The concentrator traps the analytes of interest at -193 °C and then transfers them to a cryofocuser also at -193 °C. The sample is then rapidly heated and driven onto a capillary column inside an Agilent 5890 series II GC equipped with an FID. This instrument is used primarily for the analysis of Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Compounds (PAMS). The second system is used for modified TO-14 air toxics and RFG samples. It consists of an ENTECH canister autosampler/concentrator equipped with cryogenic cooling and focusing that is connected to an Agilent 6980GC equipped with a 5973N mass spectral detector. Click below for a complete analyte list and summary for each method. Modified TO-14 Air Toxics | Reformulated Gasoline (RFG) | Photochemical Assessment Monitoring (PAMS) Once the analysis is complete the accumulated data is transferred to the WDNR and the canisters are cleaned. Cleaning involves attaching the cans to an Entech canister cleaning apparatus. The cans are heated to 100 °C and put through a number of cycles consisting of evacuation to approximately 5 psi, filling with humidified air to just below ambient pressure. Then the cans are evacuated to <100 mtorr and allowed to cool. Once cool they are filled and evacuated one last time to a final vacuum of <100 mtorr. They are then tagged and shipped back to the WDNR for reuse. Recently we have begun working with the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services to provide indoor air quality testing. This testing utilizes the same techniques as our work for the WDNR. Semi-Volatile and PCB Analysis TO-4 analysis of ambient air is performed on samples collected on polyurethane foam plugs (PUFs), which are soxhlet extracted and analyzed on an HP-6890 gas chromatograph equipped with both ECD and NPD detectors. Analytes of interest include cyanazine, simazine, metolachlor, polychlorinated biphenyls, alachlor and atrazine. Semi-Volatile Compounds (PM 2.5) The lab is currently working on several research projects involving the analysis and atmospheric transport of various semi-volatile and particle-phase organic compounds in ambient air. These compounds generally fall into the category of PM 2.5 fine particulate matter. Samples are collected on quartz fiber filters or poly-urethane foam pufs (PUF). They may initially be analyzed for elemental and organic carbon before a speciated analysis is performed. The analysis is done on an Agilent 6890 GC equipped with a 5973N mass spectral detector. The method includes the specific parameters listed here (a link to the compound list), but may be adapted to similar compounds. At the present time this method is used exclusively for research purposes, and as such the reporting limits (if any) may vary from project to project. Quality Assurance Although these analytical methods are of an unregulated nature, the laboratory has participated in a number of quality control studies. Currently the laboratory analyzes a quarterly EPA proficiency cylinder for PAMS. We also participate with the States of Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan in a round-robin comparison of PAMS data. Two representative samples from each state are sent to the other states for analysis and the results are compared. In addition, we have analyzed TO-4 comparison samples with the State of Illinois. In the past the laboratory conducted duplicate TO-14 analysis on samples analyzed first by BRC/Rasmussen. Currently we are exploring new TO-14 QC possibilities. Return to the Organic Chemistry Department Page
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