ALS Environmental Division Europe has two main production laboratories located in Prague (Czech Republic) and Luleå (Sweden). Beside that there is a dedicated laboratory specializing in ultra-trace organic analysis in Pardubice (Czech Republic).

ALS in Luleå has more than 25 years experience of using plasma based techniques and currently operates 14 ICP-based instruments with various detection systems and capabilities (4 ICP-OES, 9 high resolution ICP-MS and 1 multi-collector ICP-MS).

The Luleå laboratory is a unique analytical laboratory providing top quality analyses of chemical composition, impurities, and stable as well as radiogenic isotopes for environmental, food, pharmaceuticals, clinical applications, electronics, specialized industrial and research applications.

ALS in Pardubice offers analyses of ultra-trace level organic compounds (dioxins, PCB, PBDE) using high resolution gas chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC-HRMS). We are committed to providing the highest quality HRGC-HRMS analytic services in Europe. Quick result delivery and an individual approach to our clients needs is matter of fact. Our scientists have extensive experience with the requisite analyses and are well known among dioxin specialists for their expertise.

Our team of highly qualified and experienced professionals, using state-of-the-art equipment, is able to respond dynamically to the individual needs of our clients. Due to our long-term experience in the market we are able to effectively handle a wide range of various projects.

Our background as a strong international company enables us to regularly invest in cutting-edge equipment and information technologies, improve our quality systems and raise the qualifications of our employees.

RADIOLOGY

ALS Europe services include high quality radionuclide analysis, both natural and artificial radionuclide, using modern techniques such as high resolution gamma spectrometry (HR-GS) or sector field mass spectrometry (HR-ICP/MS). Water, soil, food and even biota can be checked for a large range of different radionuclides.

Gross Alpha Activity Gross Beta Activity Potassium (K-40) Tritium Radium 223 Radium 226 Radium 228 Radon 222 Uranium 234

Uranium 235 Uranium 238 Polonium 210 Lead 210 Cesium 134 Cesium 137 Iodine 131 Plutonium 238 Plutonium 239

Plutonium 240 Strontium 90 Thorium 227 Thorium 230 Thorium 234 Protactinium 231 Actinium 227 Thorium 228 Americium 241

DIOXINS

ALS Europe offers unique HRMS services for ultra trace analysis of Persistent Organic Pollutants in our HRMS laboratory in Pardubice (Czech Republic).

Polychlorinated dibenzo-(p)-dioxins and dibenzofurans - 17 most toxic 2,3,7,8 PCDD/F
Polychlorinated dibenzo-(p)-dioxins and dibenzofurans - by groups according to their level of chlorination (sums of 210 congeners)
dioxin-like PCBs
mono- to deca- chlorinated biphenyls (sums of 209 PCBs)
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)
Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)

Main Applications in Pardubice

Ambient air monitoring Combustion source testing Stack testers - Consulting engineers Ash disposal Source determination Environmental impact of diesel engines Wipe samples analysis Groundwater monitoring Surface water analysis Drinking water analysis Food and Feeding mixtures Biological tissue analysis Contamination levels in human blood and milk Bioconcentrations factors - Bioaccumulation of dioxins Characterization of soils/sediments Lime production - Kaolinitic clays Site remediation Effluent monitoring

Organic pigments and dyes Chemical manufacturing Pesticides production Pulp and paper Wastewater and biosolids Hazardous waste classification - Waste disposal Destruction of industrial waste Emergency response International customers Analytical laboratories support Analytical trainings Stockholm Convention implementation European, American, Asian and international projects Local legislation - specific directives and Regulations Help to regulations settings - New norms - New Standards Instrument/method development

TRACE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

ALS Europe offers trace and ultra-trace identifi cation and measurement of metals in non-standard matrices. Our top trace inorganic constituent and isotopic testing laboratory is located in Sweden (Lulea). This laboratory primarily performs analyses using ICP-OES and ICP-MS technologies. Whenever you need fast and reliable trace element, or isotopic analysis in any kind of sample matrix, please contact us.

Main Applications in Lulea

Clinical applications (blood, serum, urine, sweat, hair, nails, teeth, soft tissues)
Hygiene control
Water (drinking, sewage, waste, brackish, sea)
Nuclear industry
Geological surveys
Pharmaceutical products
Electronics and polymers
Pure chemicals and solvents
Other special analyses

ANALYSES OF ELECTRONICS

THE RoHS DIRECTIVE

The RoHS directive of the EU prescribes that lead, mercury, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium in electric and electronic equipment shall be substituted by July 1, 2006. The flame retardants PBDE (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) and PBB (polybrominated biphenyls) are used e g in thermoplastics and rubber. These so-called additive flame retardants do not react chemically with the plastic and are therefore more easily released. For these compounds a solvent extraction is done before the measurement by GC-MS. As an alternative to analyses for flame retardants, we also offer screening analyses of halogens (OE-34). ALS Europe offers custom-designed analytical packages for electrical and electronical products according to the standards of the International Electotechnical Commission (IEC). ALS Europe has a long experience of chemical analysis of electrical and electronical components. Since 2005, we participate in IEC's working group for the development of standard methods for RoHS analyses. Furthermore, ALS Europe is one of 20 selected laboratories worldwide that participates in the intercomparisons of these methods.

ANALYSES OF HUMAN BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS

The determination of elements in body fluids and other human biological material can be used as a diagnostic tool in various disorders, for investigation of exposure, and to check administration of metal-based pharmaceuticals.

When studying human exposure to toxic elements in the environment, analysis of human biological material - so-called biological monitoring - provides a complement to analysis of air, water and other environmental samples. An advantage of biological monitoring is that the results reflect uptake of the substance by the organism, which varies between individuals as well as over time in a given individual.

SAMPLE TYPES

The most common sample types used in element analyses are whole blood, serum/plasma and urine. The choice of sample type depends e.g. on how a specific element is metabolised by the organism. Concentration of elements in plasma are of special interest since this fraction is readily available for tissue uptake. However, certain elements, especially lead and cadmium, bind strongly to red blood cells. The concentration of elements in urine are generally corrected for dilution by normalisation to creatinine. ALS Europe provides accredited analyses of whole blood, serum, plasma, urine, hair and nails.

NATURAL LEVELS

The study of trace elements in human biological material has long been subject to technical limitations. Difficulties are associated with low concentrations, complex sample matrices and small available sample volumes. The technical development of analytical instruments with greater sensitivity and selectivity in combination with improved sample handling has nevertheless enabled determination of a growing number of elements down to naturally occurring levels. A compilation of results from research at the ALS Luleå laboratory can be found on www.human-analysis.com.

SEVERAL ELEMENTS SIMULTANEOUSLY

The use of multi-element techniques for simultaneous analysis of several elements allows a large amount of analytical information to be obtained rapidly from small sample volumes. This facilitates e.g. the study of interactions between different elements. Multi-element analysis also permits unprejudiced screening for identification of elements related to non-specific symptoms of deficiency or poisoning.

ASBESTOS

IDENTIFICATION OF ASBESTOS

To examine whether asbestos is present in a material sample, light microscopy is used. The appearance and the light refraction are used to distinguish between asbestos and other fibers, and to identify the type of asbestos in the sample. Asbestos in dust and air samples is analysed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

MATERIAL SAMPLES

During demolition work, it is often important to ascertain whether asbestos is present in the construction materials or not. Asbestos may be found in insulation, floor tiles, adhesives etc. Material samples that are sent to the laboratory are first examined using a stereo microscope. Sometimes it is possible to detect potential asbestos fibers at this first stage. They can then be hand-picked for examination with a microscope. Most often, however, a subsample is ground for homogenization, diluted with acetone and ultrasonicated. One or two drops of the suspension are then added to an object glass. After drying, refraction oil is added and a cover glass applied. The sample is then ready for examination with a microscope.

Examination under the microscope allows the presence of asbestos to be verified and provides a rough estimate of the amount. By mixing the sample with different refraction oils until the refraction is the same in the fiber as in the oil, it is possible to identify the fiber type. The fiber types include chrysotile, anthophyllite, tremolite, amosite (asbestos gruenerite) and crocidolite.

ASBESTOS FIBERS IN AIR

For detection of airborne asbestos fibers, which often are thinner than fibers from material samples, higher magnification is needed than can be achieved with light microscopy. Asbestos in dust or from air samples is therefore examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with a magnification of up to several thousand times.

Dust samples are analyzed for asbestos when contamination from asbestos removal or from other asbestos sources is suspected.

To be able to distinguish airborne asbestos fibers from other fibers, a special sampling technique is used. Air is being pumped through a polycarbonate filter, which is then examined using SEM. Asbestos fibers are very small (often <0,0005 mm in diameter). In order to quantify the asbestos concentration, the sample has to be studied at 1000–2000 times magnification. The microscope is equipped with an energy dispersive detector, which allows the chemical compostion of the fibers to be determined. Thereby, the different types of asbestos fibers can be separated.

FIBER COUNTING

The concentration of asbestos fibers in air can be determined by sampling on a filter (filter for total dust or polycarbonate filter). The filter for total dust is analyzed using light microscopy. All fibers with thicknesses between 1and 3 µm are counted, regardless of fiber type. Given the volume of sampled air, the fiber concentration expressed as numbers per ml can be calculated.

ISOTOPES

lsotopes are atoms of a specific element with different masses. In nature, most elements occur as mixtures of several stable isotopes in more or less constant proportions. Magnesium, e.g., consists of isotopes with masses 24, 25 and 26 amu (atomic mass units) in the ratio 79:10:11. Certain elements also occur as unstable (radioactive) isotopes.

QUANTITATIVE ANALYSES

Using ICP-MS, different isotopes of an element are always measured separately. The concentration can theoretically be calculated from any one of the element's isotopes, which enhances the reliability of the analysis.

ISOTOPE RATIOS

The quantitative relationship of isotopes is measured between pairs of isotopes for a given element. ALS has access to multicollector technology (MC-ICP-MS) that gives very high precision (down to approximately 0.001% relative standard deviation) in isotope ratio measurements. This allows for, i.a., geological dating. ICP-SFMS gives a uncertainty down to approximately 0.05%. This uncertainty is enough to separate Pb from different sources by its natural variation in isotope composition for, e.g., toxicological investigations.

TRACE ELEMENT STUDIES

Tracers are used for monitoring of chemical processes, mainly within biological and medical research. An element can be "marked" with an enriched stable isotope of that element for the purpose of studying its transformation and distribution in, e.g., organisms. The use of stable isotopes is preferred to the use of radioactive isotopes in these applications considering that they do not pose any radiation risks.

ISOTOPE DILUTION

Isotope dilution is a sophisticated method for quantitative analysis of elements. After "spiking" the sample with a stable enriched isotope of an element, the original concentration of that element can be calculated from the measured change in one or more isotope ratios. Isotope dilution has several advantages over conventional quantitative analyses and generally provides greater accuracy.