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Emerging contaminants, also known as contaminants of emerging concern (CEC), refer to relatively new substances that have recently been recognized as potential environmental contaminants. CECs have attracted a great deal of interest and concern among environmental professionals because of the limited information available on the risks posed to human health and the environment by releasing these toxins. There are few formal studies on the potential human health effects of exposure to specific chemical substances.
Specializing in environmental analysis and environmental consulting and supporting emerging contaminant monitoring programs for many years, Alfa Chemistry can provide tailored solutions for the analysis and assessment of CECs to meet specific testing needs.
Perchlorate, 1,4-dioxane, and PFASs (perfluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) are some of the most recognizable and well-known examples of emerging contaminants. Perchlorate was included in the first round of UCMR (1996) monitoring (UCMR 1). 1,4-dioxane was included in UCMR 4 and detected more frequently than expected in monitored water systems.
Our capabilities include but are not limited to:
Perchlorate Analysis
The occurrence of perchlorate in the environment is mainly due to anthropogenic sources. Due to its high nitrate content, it can be used as a fertilizer. In aqueous systems, perchlorate exists in anionic form, most commonly associated with ammonium, potassium, and sodium salts. Perchlorate is highly soluble in water and relatively inert, making it a mobile and persistent contaminant.
Alfa Chemistry uses the IC/MS/MS method to analyze perchlorate, eliminating interference from other anions and the possibility of false positive results.
The primary association of 1,4-dioxane with environmental releases is its use as a stabilizer and chemical inhibitor of chlorinated solvents. Although this is the most common source, it is also used in a variety of other industrial processes. 1,4-Dioxane's physical properties make it particularly challenging to analyze in groundwater sample media.
Alfa Chemistry offers two analytical method options for analyzing 1,4-dioxane when the desired reporting limit is less than 1 ug/L.
Method 8270 SIM incorporating the isotope dilution technique
This technique uses a deuterated form of the target analyte (1,4-dioxane-d8), which is added to each sample as an internal standard for a specific target and incorporated into the sample quantification to standardize extraction recoveries. The method also has the advantage of not being interfered with by chlorinated solvents.
EPA Method 522
A modified method using GC/MS SIM (without isotope dilution) was used to analyze 1,4-dioxane in drinking water. The process extracts the water sample through a solid phase extraction (SPE) technique.
PFAS compounds are an emerging class of contaminants that have attracted a great deal of attention and concern from the environmental community and the public at large. PFAS compounds are highly soluble in water and are chemically stable and persistent.
Alfa Chemistry provides PFAS analytical support using several different procedures depending on the project application.
We provide PFAS analysis by EPA Method 537.1 and EPA Method 533.
Non-drinking water, soil, and tissue samples
The method is liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) with SPE, which also utilizes isotope dilution techniques.
Determination of TOP in water samples
The total oxidizable precursors (TOP) determination is a differential method analysis in which two aliquots of the sample are analyzed. One aliquot is used for pretreatment and the other for post-treatment, which is subjected to strong oxidizing conditions prior to PFAS analysis. The difference in PFAS concentration between the pre-and post-treated samples is defined as the amount of oxidizable precursor present in the sample.
Standard methods for emerging contaminants testing
Designation
Title
EPA 332.0
Determination of perchlorate in drinking water by suppressed conductivity ion chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
EPA 6860
Determination of perchlorate in water, soil, and solid waste using ion chromatography/electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry (IC/ESI/MS or IC/ESI/MS/MS)
EPA 522
Determination of 1,4-Dioxane in Drinking Water by Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) with Selected Ion Monitoring (SIM)
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