image description
 

Chain of Custody

Adobe PDF      MS Word DOCX
 

Sample Reports

Air Filters (Cr, Ni, Pb)
HUD Wipes (Pb)
 

Guides & Limits

Lead Regulatory Levels & Sampling Guide
Lead Waste Flow Chart
 

Media & Products

Metals & Dust Cassettes
Metals Water Bottles
Centrifuge Tubes
Ghost Wipes & Templates
 

More on Lead & Metals

Lead Related Links
 

Lead and Metals

  • Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS)
  • Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy (ICP)
  • Ion Chromatography (IC)

SGS Forensic Laboratories is accredited by the AIHA Laboratory Accreditation Programs, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC), the Environmental Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELLAP), and the California Department of Public Health (Cal DPH) for performing the analysis of multiple metals by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and inductively coupled plasma - atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). In addition, we have added the capability to analyze Hexavalent Chromium (Cr6+) in air and water samples by Ion Chromatography (IC). We strive to exceed the quality control guidelines set forth by these organizations. The laboratory is also a successful participant in the AIHA Industrial Hygiene Proficiency Analytical Testing (IHPAT) program and the Environmental Lead Proficiency Analytical Testing (ELPAT). The chemists at Forensic Analytical Laboratories are committed to providing data which is understandable, accurate and legally defensible.

Quality control is extensive at each step of the analysis and includes analyst training, instrument maintenance and optimization, analysis of spiked matrix samples, duplicates and replicates, blanks and standards, and validation studies for element and matrix.

The laboratory should be contacted prior to sampling for proper sampling media and procedures. A variety of sampling media is available for a nominal charge.

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS)

A wide variety of inorganic elements and matrices are analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). AAS is the method of choice for precise quantitative determination of single elements in air, water, soil, paint and other matrices. The laboratory's primary instruments are equipped with flame and graphite furnace analytical capability. Flame analysis is suitable for most analytes and matrices including paint, wipes, soils and air samples. Graphite furnace procedures dramatically decrease detection limits and are appropriate when testing lead in drinking water and personal air monitoring samples. The laboratory also maintains a mercury analyzer with excellent detection limits for mercury in a variety of matrices.

Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy (ICP)

Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy (ICP) provides the laboratory with the ability to analyze multiple inorganic elements simultaneously. This technique is excellent for detecting multiple metals in all types of matrices. ICP-AES is an effective industrial hygiene tool when investigating content of multiple metals in welding fumes, paint pigments, or water. In addition to industrial hygiene analyses, ICP-AES is the primary analytical technique used when performing regulated hazardous waste characterization, such as Cal-WET CAM 17 or RCRA 8.

Ion Chromatography (IC)

Ion Chromatography (IC) allows the separation of the various components of a sample into discrete ions for subsequent detection and speciation. SGS Forensic Laboratories currently uses our Ion Chromatograph to speciate hexavalent chromium by the OSHA ID 215 method. This allows an interference-free analysis and a reporting limit of 0.05 ug for air filters.