MICROBIOLOGY - PCR
PCR is very busy these days at Westmont.  We recently were selected as a contract lab for one of the EPA Regions to analyze water samples for certain bacteria by PCR.  The project is scheduled to continue through  September.

MICROBIOLOGY - Mycobacterium
We have recently completed projects where we were asked to analyze for Mycobacterium.  We were able to use our MIDI GC system with great success.  The Westmont and Manhattan laboratories have this capability.  You can talk to Julie Conaron in Westmont at ext. 1278 or Dr. Lori Daane in Manhattan at (212) 290-0051

INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE / INDOOR AIR QUALITY - Passive Dosimeter Badges for VOC´s
We recently completed a project in support of the new Philadelphia Phillies Stadium construction project.  Air quality was inadequate in the ‘basement' of the stadium.  Westmont IH performed analysis on passive dosimeter badges that were collected by a consultant.  We analyzed for 21 compounds and were able to show the area was virtually free of volatile organic compounds.

INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE / INDOOR AIR QUALITY - 4-phenycyclohexene
A client recently asked us to analyze for a compound named 4-phenylcyclohexene.  It turns out this compound is responsible for giving new carpet that ‘new carpet odor'.  OSHA has a published CSI guidance method for this compound and we were off and running.

INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE / INDOOR AIR QUALITY - Pepper Spray
A client asked us to analyze for pepper spray.  It turns out that a married couple had quite the marital spat and attacked each other with pepper spray.  We were asked to test for Capsaicin in the air so that our consultant could properly remediate the couple's home.

INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE / INDOOR AIR QUALITY - Gaseous Components
One of our workshop attendees wanted us to test for various ‘gaseous' components.  He is working for a school district that has a cafeteria kitchen that experience pre-meal flatulence of a sort.  During certain food preparation activities, a sewer gas odor is noticed and is causing concern.  Recent excavation activities adjacent to the kitchen may have punctured a gas or sewer main or both.  We were able to rent the consultant our Draeger CMS handheld instrument which will measure over 30 different compounds in the vapor form.  He used it to measure hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans.  He also took samples in our TO-15 mini-cans and we analyzed the air samples for methane.

INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE / INDOOR AIR QUALITY - Environmental Tobacco Smoke
A client from San Antonio asked us to measure ETS (environmental tobacco smoke) also known as second smoke in a bowling alley that had air quality issues.  Using our new GC with a NPD (nitrogen phosphorus detector) because nicotine contains nitrogen, we were able to perform the appropriate NIOSH method for the client.  And guess what, we found nicotine!

INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE / INDOOR AIR QUALITY - Organophosphorus Pesticides
We have been having inquiries about organophosphorus pesticides.  Clients are being asked to sample in homes and businesses where clients have sprayed pesticides ranging from Malathion to Dursban.  We now have GC capabilities of measuring these compounds in air using NIOSH and OSHA methods. 

INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE / INDOOR AIR QUALITY - EPA TO-15 VOC´s in Air, Carbon Monoxide
Two projects that we have recently completed (or in the process of completion), one at a Nashville Hospital Helipad and the other at an USPS facility at JFK airport.  Both facilities have the same problem—too much engine exhaust.  Occupants are complaining about feeling nausea and other related breathing problems.  We recommend that the consultant collect samples for volatile organics using either TO-15 or our new Multiple NIOSH method.  By using the Multiple NIOSH method we can also identify and quantitate any fuel vapors that may be in the air using NIOSH 1550.  We recommended that the client perform formaldehyde analysis at the JFK site.  Formaldehyde is a known combustion product of diesel and jet fuel.  We also strongly recommended a CO (carbon monoxide) monitor be placed in the affected area due to the imminent hazard of CO in an exhaust area.  We can also test for CO in the lab with a GC or using the Draeger CMS system.  On a side note, if you don't have a CO monitor at home—you should get one ASAP.  If you can afford several, purchase one for each floor.  They cost about $50 at Lowe's or Home Depot.  

INDOOR AIR QUALITY - Airborne Bacteria From Pigeons
Respiratory problems were being experienced in a four-story post office building.  EMSL requested air samples from the consultant hired to solve the problem for the client.  SEM revealed the dominant presence of bacteria with concentrations diminishing with increased floor level.  Conversations with the consultant revealed that pigeons socialized near the buildings AC system located outside the building at ground level.  EMSL requested a pigeon feather and was able to match the bacteria on the pigeon feather with the airborne bacteria within the building.

FAILURE ANALYSIS - Automobile Brake Failure
An automobile was involved in an accident and the driver claimed that he could not stop.  Upon inspection by a mechanic it was determined that the brake shoes may have been faulty.  EMSL was asked to analyze the brakes.  Extensive testing with Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed cracks and pores within the pads that were not within the tolerance limits for brake shoes.  These defects caused the collapse of the brakes.

QUALITY ASSURANCE - Manufacturing
Many companies send the material used in the production of specialized products to EMSL for Quality Assurance.  For example; a major manufacturer of brake pads submits the primary components used in the manufacture of their brakes for inspection to insure a quality product.  They insist on an unbiased outside laboratory to perform the testing.

BIOLOGICAL - Mold
A hospital was experiencing an increased occurrence of infections in one of their intensive care units.  EMSL was hired to determine the cause of the problem.  Initial Air Quality analysis revealed an unusually high concentration of airborne mold spores.  Additional testing narrowed the problem to an air conditioning unit that was collecting the water condensed by the cooling coils producing a natural incubator for mold growth.  The problem was compounded by the fact that the contaminated water was next to the fresh air intake for that wing of the hospital.

FORENSIC - Proving Headlight On In Automobile Accident
A motorcycle was involved in an automobile accident that occurred after dark.  EMSL was asked to determine if the headlight of the motorcycle was on or off at the time of the accident.  EMSL examined the filament of the smashed headlight and found, with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Microanalysis (EDX), the presence of microscopic glass fragments bound to the filament, thus proving that the filament was hot at the time of the accident.

FORENSIC
An explosion and subsequent fire in a cargo tanker caused the ship to sink along with its cargo of iron pellets.  EMSL was asked to determine if the cargo of iron pellets, known as Direct Reduced Iron (DRI), could have caused the accident.  Analysis with the SEM revealed aberrations in the protective coating applied to the pellets which allowed access points for moisture to contact the sensitive inner surface of the DRI.  Analysis was then performed to measure and identify gasses produced from the pellets when exposed to the conditions indicative of a ships hold.  It was determined that the DRI pellets would act as a catalyst to separate the hydrogen and oxygen in the water vapor found in the ships holds.  Furthermore; the cargo was sufficient to replace the air in the holds, three times over, with a combination of free hydrogen and oxygen.  One spark is all it would take to ignite the hydrogen that would then be fed by the oxygen resulting in an explosion capable of causing the accident that befell the cargo ship.

LEAD PAINT - Pigment Analysis
EMSL was asked to determine if the paint covering the woodwork of an apartment building contained a specific type of lead pigment, which would point to a certain paint manufacturer.  With SEM and EDX it was shown that the lead-based paint was present in only the three innermost (oldest) layers.  By collecting paint only from these layers and performing X-Ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD) the presence of the specific lead pigment sought was established.

CORROSION
Pieces of airplane wings from jet fighters, based on aircraft carriers, were brought to EMSL to compare the degree of corrosion following the application of various solvents used to desalt the airplanes.  A small piece of the metal from each wing was embedded in epoxy and polished to a smooth finish.  A detailed analysis with SEM and EDX was performed, and the level of corrosion was assessed in each sample.  The results were used to pick the most effective desalting solvent.