Environmental Testing
While typical environmental testing applications are usually thought of in terms of a mixture of site mapping and chemical testing, there are often instances where more complicated problems or specific site concerns benefit greatly from microscopic testing. Microscopy offers a pair of unique attributes that make it invaluable in assessing environmental concerns. Microscopic testing allows for non-destructive analysis of many samples, preserving both evidence and samples for future analysis. Additionally, microscopic methods preserve chemical and material associations, rather than typical whole sample methods used with extractions or digestions in traditional chemical testing methods. These advantages allow for precise customized analysis to support your environmental studies or queries. Whether determining a specific source of metals in an air sample, examining soil character to detect multiple fill sources, identifying individual samples that present a strange problem, or assisting with entire environmental impact study designs, our trained staff can leverage specialized testing to support your needs.
Coal Ash Analysis
This analysis uses a variety of microscopy techniques to definitively identify the presence of coal, coal ash, wood ash/char, asphalt, and coal tar in a soil sample. This test is particularly useful to LSPs, LEPs and other environmental professionals who need to determine and document the exemption status of a sample site where PAHs have been detected. Our coal ash analysis has been trusted by professionals everywhere for over 10 years.
Dust Characterization
Our dust analysis provides a general overview of many common particle types present in a dust sample and the concentrations at which they are present. Depending on the level of detail and confirmation needed, this analysis can be performed with optical and/or electron microscopy. This is extremely useful in helping to determine the potential source of your dust or in evaluating the impact that one site is having on another. We handle samples from home owners to indoor air quality professionals daily.
Lead Paint Analysis
When lead is present in a soil sample, this analysis determines if it originates from paint chips, metal particles or other possible sources. Often combined with the coal ash analysis, this test is particularly useful to LSPs, LEPs and other environmental professionals who need to determine and document the exemption status of a sample site where lead has been detected. Let us put our experience to work for you.
Soot Analysis
This analysis utilizes light and electron microscopy to determine the quantity and potential source of any combustion products present in a residential or business dust sample (e.g. oil soot, wood ash, natural gas soot, candle soot, fly ash, coal ash, etc.). Our detailed analysis informs clients of the type of soot present in addition to other particles that may be of concern in their samples. When your dust is black, we can tell you if soot is the problem.
Wildfire Dust Analysis
Designed to identify soot, vegetative char and ash, this analysis combines light and electron microscopy to conclusively document and differentiate wildfire debris from other sources of combustion residue such as home furnaces, cigarettes or industrial burners. This detailed analysis informs clients about the presence or absence of fire related particles, the relative loading of these particle types, and the presence of other materials that might be a dark char look-alike material, but are not fire related.