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The research group is charged with developing new sampling and analytical protocols, evaluating new technologies, which could be of value to our clients, and designing hardware for the laboratory or for a specific project. The following three examples serve to demonstrate the breadth of projects assigned to the research group.
- There continues to be a great deal of interest in odor determinations. The research group has completed an extensive evaluation of various means to collect a ppbv level reduced sulfur sample, using deactivated Tedlar Bags, Silcosteel canisters and various sorbents. The results of this work have been presented at various AWMA symposia and is the topic of two data sheets published by Air Toxics.
- A recent soil gas project requested low level vinyl chloride in the presence of high level chlorinated hydrocarbons. The research group designed, built, and tested a selective injection system, which allows only those compounds, which have a boiling point less then 0 degrees C to enter the analytical system. Those compounds with a higher boiling point are prevented from reaching the GC/MS. This prefractionator system enabled the laboratory to report vinyl chloride without concern for instrument contamination. Analysis time was reduced from 45 minutes to less than 5 minutes.
- The research group developed and validated a modification to the method used for determining acrolein. The DNPH derivative of acrolein is not stable in the acidic reagent. A means for rapidly removing the derivative from the reagent was validated. This simple modification is fully documented and has been in use for over five years. Clients have been delighted. Data quality is fully defensible.
Air Toxics is active in various public forums for disseminating technical information. Our personnel have published or presented over 30 papers at national and regional technical meetings, including 10 presentations at the annual AWMA Symposium on Measurement of Toxic and Related Air Pollutants.
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