TestAmerica Details New Bioavailability Approaches in MAEP Quarterly

David Thal, Operation’s Manager of the Sediments and Tissues Program for TestAmerica, was invited by the Michigan Association of Environmental Professionals (MAEP) to contribute his expertise on new technological advances regarding the accurate assessment of the bioavailability of polyaromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in contaminated sediments. The article was published in the Winter 2009 MAEP Quarterly Newsletter issue.

“Research groups have been validating new techniques that provide risk assessors and modelers more appropriate chemical and physical data on the bioavailability of contaminants in soils and sediments. With improved accuracy of prediction over traditional models, the EPA and ASTM now have some of these methods,” states Mr. Thal. New approaches for the measurement of black “soot” carbon content and the direct measurement of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and alkyl PAH analytes, in the freely dissolved phase, have significantly improved the data available used to assess this type of toxicity.

When used in concert, these new techniques help to provide the chemical data necessary to more accurately predict bioavailability. Commercial laboratories, like TestAmerica are beginning to offer these new techniques. TestAmerica expects that this will enable its clients to increase the accuracy of modeling and risk analysis, resulting in more highly informed decisions and policies. For more information, please contact David Thal through TestAmerica’s Ask the Expert website. www.testamericainc.com



About TestAmerica

TestAmerica is the leading environmental testing firm in the United States, including 39 laboratories and 27 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 over 3,200 professionals dedicated to exceptional service and solutions for our clients’ environmental testing needs.

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James H. Miller

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TestAmerica

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