TestAmerica Speaks on a Pioneering Analytical Technique for Pesticide Analysis at the 2010 Dioxin Symposium

Karla Buechler, TestAmerica’s Laboratory Director of the West Sacramento facility, will present on an innovative high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) technique used for the analysis of organochlorine pesticides, resolving issues with compound specificity and elevated detection limits. The poster presentation will be given at the 2010 Dioxin Symposium during the week of September 12-17, 2010 in San Antonio, TX.

The analysis of organochlorine pesticides is routinely required for many sediment and remedial investigation programs. The analysis has traditionally been performed using gas chromatography with an electron capture detector (GC-ECD). The electron capture detector can provide relatively low levels of detection for organochlorine pesticides, but lacks the compound specificity that is required in more complex matrices, which can adversely impact resolution and prevent the laboratory from achieving the lower detection limits required for many programs.

The poster presentation will compare both GC-ECD and the HRMS analytical techniques, reviewing the analyte identification procedures, instrument calibration, and analyte quantitation techniques. TestAmerica will also evaluate the typical data quality objectives for each of the techniques, including sample fortification procedures, detection limits, QA/QC acceptance criteria, sample size requirements for various environmental matrices, and analyte reporting options.


About TestAmerica

TestAmerica is the leading environmental testing firm in the United States, including 36 laboratories and 33 service centers. TestAmerica provides innovative technical expertise and comprehensive analytical testing services. Specialty analyses include source and ambient air, aquatic toxicity, explosives, specialty organics, dioxins, drinking water, sediments and tissues, emerging contaminants, radiochemistry and mixed waste testing.

TestAmerica affiliate companies include EMLab P&K, the leader in analytical microscopy and indoor air quality; QED Environmental Systems, Inc., the leading supplier of groundwater sampling equipment and remediation pumping systems; TestAmerica Drilling Corp., provider of innovative environmental and geotechnical drilling; and TestAmerica Air Emissions Corp. (METCO Environmental), specializing in air emissions testing. TestAmerica currently employs nearly 2,800 professionals dedicated to exceptional service and solutions for our clients’ environmental testing needs.

Contact Information

James H. Miller

Vice President

TestAmerica

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