EMSL’s Cinnaminson Laboratory Earns First Certification by NYS ELAP for the New Vermiculite 198.8 Method

EMSL Analytical, Inc. is pleased to announce its corporate laboratory located in Cinnaminson, New Jersey is one of the first testing laboratories to be certified by the New York State Environmental Laboratory Approved Program (NYS ELAP) for the newly released vermiculite 198.8 method. In August, the New York State Department of Health (NYDOH) created this method specifically for sprayed-on fireproofing that contains vermiculite (SOF-V). In addition, all loose fill vermiculite must be designated and treated as asbestos-containing material (ACM). The use of the NYS ELAP Method 198.8 for SOF-V will be mandated after October 31st.

Vermiculite is a type of mineral that has been a commercial commodity throughout the world for well over 70 years. When heated to a high temperature, flakes of vermiculite can expand as much as 30 times its original size. The expanded vermiculite is a light-weight, fire-resistant and odorless material that has been used in numerous building materials and products, as well as insulation for attics, walls and block fill.

The NYS ELAP 198.8 method is labor intensive and involves a two-step approach for identification and quantitation of chrysotile and amphibole asbestos, including Libby amphiboles, in SOF-V. The first step requires gravimetric reduction as well as ashing in order to remove the organic materials along with dilute acid treatment to eliminate gypsum and cement from SOF-V. The final step uses heavy liquid centrifugation to separate particles with densities exceeding 2.75 g/cc from the majority of the less dense matrix components. As a result, any amphibole that was present in the original sample will be contained in the centrifugate and the concentration can be reliably determined by PLM point counting analysis.

EMSL Analytical, Inc. has a long history of working with vermiculite and Libby amphibole minerals. The company has been under contract with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) since the inception of the Libby, MT Superfund cleanup, including an on-site laboratory since June of 2000.

“The early adoption and subsequent certification of this method is a continued example of EMSL’s commitment to providing our customers with the latest regulatory and scientifically valid solutions to challenging asbestos problems,” stated Robert DeMalo, Senior Vice President of Laboratory Services and Business Development at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “For the past 33 years, EMSL has always strived to be at the forefront of asbestos research and method development in order to solve complex problems that can improve the accuracy of asbestos analytical methods which significantly contributes to protecting worker and public health.”

EMSL has sponsored a video about vermiculite insulation and asbestos hazards that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/WDNVhBwKmpc.

For service questions, please contact your sales representative or call Edward Cahill, Vice President of EMSL’s Asbestos Division, at 856-303-2565 or email him at ecahill@emsl.com .

To learn more about testing for asbestos in vermiculite odors or other indoor air quality contaminants, please visit www.VermiculiteTesting.com or visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com .

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, indoor air quality and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

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Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) (856) 303-2503

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