“There is no substitute for hard work”€¦ · “There is no substitute for hard work” — Thomas A. Edison N A T I O N W I D E L O C A T I O N S Call EMSL at: 800.220.3675

“There is no substitute for hard work”— Thomas A. Edison

N A T I O N W I D E L O C A T I O N S

Call EMSL at: 800.220.3675or visit us at www.emsl.com

and let us provide you with the solutionsand service you deserve.

CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS: EMSL ANALYTICAL, INC.

107 Haddon Ave, Westmont, NJ 08108

Since 1981 EMSL has been providing analytical solutions under the same dedicatedleadership and ownership. We invite you to discover what EMSL’s

400 dedicated scientific professionals at 27 laboratory locations across thenation can do for you. 10,000 current clients already know.

Locally Focused…Nationally Recognized

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Most Complete Range of Analytical Services

One Stop Shopping for Services & Products

Local Laboratories in Many Areas

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ASBESTOS • ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY • ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY • INDOOR AIR QUALITY

INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE • LEAD • RADON • MATERIALS CHARACTERIZATION & FORENSICS • FOOD SAFETY

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*At Select Locations

EMSL AnALyticAL tiMES

ASBESTOS • ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY • ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY • INDOOR AIR QUALITYINDUSTRIAL HYGIENE • LEAD • RADON • MATERIALS CHARACTERIZATION & FORENSICS • FOOD SAFETY

EMSL Analytical Brings Advanced EPA Developed Mold tests to Marketplace

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EMSL Analytical Brings Advanced EPA Developed Mold tests to Marketplace

Analytical is proud to be one of the first laboratories to bring

a new home screening test to homeowners, property managers, real estate professionals, and IAQ consultants across the country.

According to the EPA, molds produce allergens, irritants, and potentially toxic substances. The EPA also recognizes that mold exposure can trigger asthma attacks and according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) over 20 million Americans are affected by asthma, 30,000 people each day have an asthma attack, and 11 people die daily due to asthma.

In response to the problem of mold exposure in homes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed the Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI©) and the American Relative Moldiness Index (ARMI©) as screening tools to help determine the mold risk in residential structures.

EPA researchers recently published data that included information from the 2006 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) American Healthy Home Survey to develop a database to evaluate and rank the potential indoor mold risk in residential properties.

Two types of tests were developed by the EPA for these residential test kits. The ERMI© which tests for 36 mold species and the ARMI© which examines 13 mold species. The mold species chosen by the EPA for these tests underwent extensive research to identify those species that typically indicate mold problems in the home. The ERMI© test is a more wide-ranging analysis of mold species and the ARMI© test was developed as a lower cost option that also provides good results, but is not as extensive as the ERMI© test.

Since carpet dust acts as a reservoir for collecting materials that were previously airborne, a procedure for easily collecting a basic dust sample was developed. The process involves collecting a single dust sample from the residence that is then analyzed using advanced mold-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (MSQPCR). The dust collection device is supplied as part of the kit along with complete sampling instructions and a prepaid return shipping container to the laboratory.

MSQPCR is a highly sensitive DNA method for identifying and quantifying specific mold species. These mold species and levels are then compared to the EPA developed database to produce a “moldiness” index specific to the property tested.

The new ERMI© and ARMI© test kits are the perfect tool to:

u Help determine how mold levels in a home compare to a national “moldiness” index.

u For individuals selling their home, a test before the buyer’s home inspector examines the property will allow the seller to rectify any mold problems that are found, increasing the property’s value and desirability.

u For individuals buying a property, a test for mold in the home before the property transaction takes place, can have an enormous impact on the decision to purchase and on the value of the property. Mold found after the sale can lead to potentially unhealthy conditions and expensive repairs.

To learn more about the ERMI© and ARMI© testing protocols and test kits, EMSL has developed a website specifically to provide information and to offer the opportunity to purchase the kits. More information can be found by visiting www.emsl.com.u

EMSL

EMSL Analytical times© 2007 EMSL Analytical, Inc.

PublisherJoseph Frasca

Editor Paul Cochrane

Design ByK Squared Media, LLC

Published and distributed byEMSL Analytical, Inc.

Corporate Headquarters107 Haddon AvenueWestmont, NJ 08108

For More Information,Call EMSL at:

EASt cOASt 1-888-958-8170

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Or Visitwww.emsl.com

www.latesting.com

For more information call

EAST COAST 1-888-958-8170WEST COAST 1-888-455-3675

or visit www.emsl.com

EMSL Carpet Sampling Kit

25mm KitProduct Number: 8715314List Price: $24.99

37mm KitProduct Number: 8715313List Price: $27.99

The Allergen Sampler can be used with any vacuum cleaner utilizing a circular

hose. After the sampling process is complete, replace both collection caps and transport to the laboratory for analysis.

Product Number: 8715600List Price: $7.00

Allergen Sampler



Basics: What do you get?The EPA 600/R-93/116 (EPA 600) is used as

a method for determining asbestos content in a variety of relatively homogenous building material. Through the use of various preparation techniques, macroscopic, and microscopic examination with a Polarized Light Microscope (PLM), asbestos identification and percentage estimation is generally possible.

Samples are first observed for color, texture, and homogeneity. Samples are prepped based upon the type of material or matrix. Some samples are amenable to crushing, some to teasing, dissolving, ashing etc. Next the sample is mounted onto glass slides using dispersion staining oils for Polarized light microscopy (PLM). Asbestos identification of suspect fibers is made through examination of the optical properties including refractive indices. Visual percent estimations are made through a combination of stereoscopic and PLM observation.

u Results are reported as None Detected, <1%, or 1-100% estimation of asbestos content.

u Each sample is analyzed for all six United States regulated asbestos types: Chrysotile, Amosite, Anthophyllite, Tremolite, Actinolite, and Crocidolite.

u Other non-asbestos materials are also reported in estimated percent, grouped into subcategories of fibrous and non-fibrous and also reported as None Detected, <1%, or 1-100%.

Visual Estimation vs. Point Count: When & why?Point count analysis is an option to help remove some of the subjective component of visual percent estimation. With this method, the sample is observed through a point count reticule in the PLM microscope. The point count reticule can be a simple cross hair or a Chalkley point reticule, which is a series of 25 randomly spaced dots (points) in the ocular field. During analysis, every asbestos fiber that is identified under a point is counted and recorded on the bench sheet. The percentage of asbestos is calculated by dividing the number of asbestos points by the total number of points counted. For example if you have performed a 400 point count analysis, then each point counts as 0.25% (1/400). If a 1,000 point count is performed then each point equals 0.10%.

For samples with low asbestos percentages (<10% by PLM, per the EPA 600 method), the use of a point counting technique can provide an additional opportunity to quantify asbestos content. Both point count methods can be particularly useful when the client is concerned about regulatory limits for disposal purposes.

PLM Gravimetric Reduction: When & why?Gravimetric reduction is a cost effective add-on to either a PLM EPA 600 or a point count. Gravimetric reduction is outlined in the EPA/600/R-93/116, section 2.3 as an improved protocol for analyzing the variety of samples submitted to commercial laboratories. This additional procedure helps remove many of the matrices present in building materials that can mask or interfere with the ability to identify and quantify asbestos content. Matrix obscuration is independent of the experience of the PLM analysts, since they cannot identify asbestos that they can not see. The two steps of gravimetric reduction are an ashing step to remove the organic component and an acid wash to remove the carbonate component.

The sample is weighed throughout the steps of ashing in a muffle furnace and acid washing. Any asbestos that might be present in the sample (such as a floor tile) is now liberated from its organic binder.

PLM

Figure 1: A bulk plaster samplebefore gravimetric reduction.

Figure 2: A bulk plaster sampleafter gravimetric reduction.

See how the material is loose and individualcomponents are easily separated.

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Figure 3: A bulk mastic samplebefore gravimetric reduction.

Figure 4: A bulk mastic sampleafter gravimetric reduction.

See how the binding organic material has been removed to free any possible

asbestos for identification.

PLM Bulk Building Materials; the Basics:PLM Bulk Building Materials; the Basics:cost Effective Procedures to improve

the Accuracy Of your Laboratory Results



Often in samples containing organic matrix and/or calcium carbonates more than 50% of the sample’s non asbestos component can be successfully removed prior to analysis this way. This greatly reduces the chance for false negative results on the subsequent PLM and/or TEM analyses.

After matrix reduction, PLM analysis via visual estimation or Point Count can be performed (see also TEM option below). Asbestos percentage is calculated by combining the gravimetric and PLM results. For samples with difficult matrices the use of a gravimetric reduction preparation procedure can greatly increase the ability to detect and accurately quantify asbestos.

TEM Analysis: The next step…A further option is to follow up analysis with Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) which can reveal asbestos that is simply too small to see with a Polarized light microscope. The method is based on EPA Method 600/R-93/116 section 2.5.5.2. Here we take the same sample that has been previously reduced, and analyze it with an electron microscope at approximately 20,000x magnification. Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDXA) and Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED) are also used for identification.

Detected results are reported as a percent as well. This is a very helpful tool for confirmation of None Detected or <1% results by PLM. In New York the use of TEM for confirmation on these types of samples is mandatory in order to classify the material as non Asbestos Containing Material (non ACM) or Asbestos Containing Material (ACM). Data obtained utilizing this method represents the best available technology and therefore, these results are considered the most legally defensible.

Please visit our website for more reference articles.u

5

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High Volume Pumps Available at EMSL

Buck BioAireIAQ Pump

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For more information visit www.emsl.com or callEAST COAST 1-888-958-8170 WEST COAST 1-888-455-3675

Which samples can I doGravimetric Reduction on?* Caulking* Floor tile mastics* Floor tiles* Non-friable organically bound materials (NOBs)* Plaster* Popcorn ceiling* Roofing material* Tar* Vinyl Sheet Flooring / Resilient Floor Tiles

Also, any materials where PLM EPA 600 has previously shown a trace <1% content.



Radon: the Second Leading cause of Lung cancer in the United States

6

id you know that only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths

than radon, and if your home has high radon levels and you smoke, then your risk of lung cancer is especially high. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the American Lung Association both agree that long term exposure to elevated levels of radon pose a significant health risk to you and your family. Since radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas, the only way to determine if radon is in your home is by performing a simple and affordable test.

Radon is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year, according to EPA’s 2003 Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003). The numbers of deaths from other causes are taken from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Report and 2002 National Safety Council Reports.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. Air pressure inside your home is usually lower than the pressure in the soil around your home’s foundation. Because of this difference in pressure, your house acts like a vacuum, drawing radon in through foundation cracks and other openings. Your home then traps the radon inside, where it can build up. Any home may have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements.

Radon may also be present in well water and can be released into the air in your home when water is used for showering and other household uses. In most cases, radon entering the home through water is a small risk compared with radon entering your home from the soil. In a small number of homes, the building materials (e.g., granite and certain concrete products) can give off radon, although building materials rarely cause radon problems by themselves. In the United States, radon gas in soils is the principal source of elevated radon levels in homes.

Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the U.S. is estimated to have elevated radon levels. While radon problems may be more common in some areas, any home may have a problem. The only way to know about your home is to test.

D All homeowners can (and should) test their home for radon. Testing is relatively inexpensive and easy to do, plus it is the only way to know for sure that you and your family are safe from the harmful effects of radon. Some homeowners have the misconception that radon only affects older homes and new houses don’t have this problem when in fact radon is everywhere and will infiltrate all types of houses. Newer houses have the benefit of using radon-resistant construction techniques during building which can be effective in preventing radon from entering the house. No matter the age of the house, every house should be tested for radon after occupancy. There are two general ways to test your home for radon:

Short-Term Testing: The quickest way to test for radon is with a short-term test. Short-term tests remain in your home for two days to 90 days, depending on the device. “Charcoal canisters,” “alpha track,” “electret ion chamber,” “continuous radon monitors,” and “charcoal liquid scintillation” detectors are most commonly used for short-term testing. Because radon levels tend to vary from day to day and season to season, a short-term test is less likely than a long-term test to tell you your year-round average radon level. If you need results quickly, however, a short-term test followed by a second short-term test may be used to decide whether or not to fix your home.

Long-Term Testing:Long-term tests remain in your home for more than 90 days. “Alpha track” and “electret” detectors are commonly used for this type of testing. A long-term test will give you a reading that is more likely to tell you your home’s year-round average radon level than a short-term test.

Whichever way you decide to test is acceptable, it just depends on how long you want the test to be conducted. Short-term tests are quick and provide a radon level at that given point in time. Long-term tests are a little more involved, but provide a more year round average radon level in your home.

EMSL is a leading provider of radon testing services for homeowners and professional consultants. The company has recently developed a user friendly test kit and dedicated website designed specifically to provide information on radon including interactive maps so you can view radon levels in your general area. To learn more about radon testing please visit www.RadonTestingLab.com or call 800.220.3675.u

Radon: the Second Leading cause of Lung cancer in the United States

RADON GETS IN THROUGH:1. Cracks in solid floors 2. Construction joints 3. Cracks in walls 4. Gaps in suspended floors 5. Gaps around service pipes 6. Cavities inside walls 7. The water supply

For more information visit www.radontestinglab.com

Radon Test Kit For Schools/Large Buildings

Radon Test Kit For Real Estate Transactions


exavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] compounds are a group of chemical substances that contain

the metallic element chromium in its positive-6 valence (hexavalent) state. Occupational exposures to Cr(VI) occur during the production of stainless steel, chromate chemicals, and chromate pigments. These exposures also occur during other work activities such as stainless steel welding, thermal cutting, chrome plating, painting, and coating processes.

Stripping and painting of aluminum surfaces, such as aircraft fuselages and aluminum castings are of particular concern due to widespread use of zinc chromate primers, which have ‘etching’ properties that enable better paint adhesion. These primers are also finding increasing application on galvanized steel products, including automobiles.

NIOSH considers all Cr(VI) compounds to be potential occupational carcinogens. An increased risk of lung cancer has been demonstrated in workers exposed to Cr(VI) compounds. Other adverse health effects associated with Cr(VI) exposure include dermal irritation, skin ulceration, allergic contact dermatitis, occupational asthma, nasal irritation and ulceration, perforated nasal septa, rhinitis, nosebleed, respiratory irritation, nasal cancer, sinus cancer, eye irritation and damage, perforated eardrums, kidney damage, liver damage, pulmonary congestion and edema, epigastric pain, and erosion and discoloration of the teeth.

Cr(VI) compounds vary in solubility from those that are readily soluble to those which are practically insoluble in water. In 1975 NIOSH documented the carcinogenic effects of water-insoluble Cr(VI) compounds. The NIOSH 1988 testimony to OSHA on the air contaminants standard recommended that all Cr(VI) compounds, regardless of their degree of solubility in water, be considered occupational carcinogens. NIOSH is currently reviewing and evaluating the available information on Cr(VI) compounds including the toxicology, health effects, industrial hygiene, and

analytical chemistry literature in order to update its 1975 criteria

document on Cr(VI).u

Sampling InformationThe OLD OSHA limit (PEL) for general industry was a Ceiling* of 100 µg/m3.The OLD OSHA limit (PEL) for construction** was an 8-Hour TWA of 100 µg/m3.This was also expressed as 0.1 mg/m3 and 1 mg/10m3.The NEW OSHA limit (PEL) for all industries is an 8-Hour TWA of 5µg/m3.This also implies a new Action Level of one-half of the PEL, or 2.5 µg/m3.The new regulation became effective on 5/29/2006 (90 days after publication). The new PEL will be in force after 8/27/2006 (180 days after publication).The OLD NIOSH 7600 Method has a practical quantitation limit of 2.8 µg/m3.The NEW OSHA ID-215 Method*** has a practical quantitation limit of 0.5 µg/m3 (still improving – hoping for 0.1 µg or better).BE CAREFUL – OSHA ID-215 Version 1 incorrectly lists the PEL as 0.5µg/m3. Use Version 2.

Notes;EMSL provides PVC filters to clients for sampling that meet OSHA sample stability requirements. Plating and other operations where acidic aerosols are produced can reduce the Cr(VI) on samples to Cr(III) over time. These samples must be analyzed or buffered within 6 days of sampling. You MUST indicate plating operations on the Chain of Custody (COC).Stainless-steel welding can reduce the Cr(VI) on samples to Cr(III) over time. These samples must be analyzed within 8 days of sampling. You MUST indicate stainless welding operations on the COC.Any Cr(VI) in a spray-paint sample on the filter must be extracted additionally with a hot 5% NaOH/7.5% Na2CO3 extraction solution with the mixture of phosphate buffer/Mg(II) (see ID-125 Section 3.5.7.). You MUST indicate spray-painting operations on the COC.

H

CREDITS*1910.1000(a)(1)Substances with limits preceded by “C” - Ceiling Values. An employee’s exposure to any substance in Table Z-1***, the exposure limit of which is preceded by a “C”, shall at no time exceed the exposure limit given for that substance. If instantaneous monitoring is not feasible, then the ceiling shall be assessed as a 15-minute time weighted average exposure which shall not be exceeded at any time during the working day.** See OSHA Interpretation; http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=21778***OSHA ID-215; http://www.osha.gov/dts/sltc/methods/inorganic/id215/id215.pdf

Understanding the Dangers of Hexavalent chromium

Understanding the Dangers of Hexavalent chromium


EMSL is proud to offer you a complimentary Hexavalent Chromium Poster. To order your free copy or to learn

more about this important topic, please visit www.emsl.com or call 800.220.3675.

7

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Nationwide Locations

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Up to 24 Hour IAQ Sampling has Finally Arrived -

Relle SmaRtCassetteCall EMSL to Learn More.East Coast: 1-888-958-8170West Coast: 1-888-455-3675

EMSL is the trusted source for iAQ and environmental training courses hosted across the country. EMSL is proud to introduce the following new courses.

Indoor Air Quality andIndustrial Hygiene

Sampling WorkshopSt. Louis, MO - July 17, 2007Fairfax, VA - July 24, 2007

Sacramento, CA - July 31, 2007Boston, MA - August 7, 2007

Cherry Hill, NJ - August 17, 2007Seattle, WA - September 6, 2007

Allergens, Asthma Triggers andERMI / ARMI Mold Sampling

Anaheim, CA - July 26, 2007Orlando, FL - August 1, 2007

Fort Lauderdale, FL - August 3, 2007Pasadena, CA - September 6, 2007

Sacramento, CA - September 18, 2007Glendale, CA - October 9, 2007Irvine, CA - October 24, 2007

For a complete listing of training class topics, schedules and ways to register please visit www.emsl.com.

Documents

“There is no substitute for hard work”€¦ · “There is no substitute for hard work” — Thomas A. Edison N A T I O N W I D E L O C A T I O N S Call EMSL at: 800.220.3675