Application Notes: General

This application news demonstrates the analysis of 46 PFAS and 25 surrogate compounds in solid matrices, such as plastic and foil consumer products, highlighting ongoing efforts to develop a new standardized method with ASTM on PFAS analysis in consumer products. Optimized conditions resulted in a method that eliminates the need for solid phase extraction, therefore significantly reducing cost and time associated with SPE sample preparation.

The composition and purity of the carbonic esters and additives in electrolytes are critical factors for maintaining battery quality and performance. This application shows how the compact, yet rugged Brevis GC-2050 can easily conduct this routine analysis, achieving high separation performance and good repeatability, and demonstrating its effectiveness as an easy-to-use tool for this essential QC analysis.

Optimizing analytical conditions through numerous analyses and data processing can be time-consuming. LabSolutions MD, a dedicated software for supporting method development, automates the entire workflow, including generating analysis schedules, preparing mobile phases, and processing the data. This application describes how to efficiently find the best separation conditions for peptides and related impurities utilizing LabSolutions MD through both screening and optimization phases.

This paper demonstrates a sensitive and reliable method for speciating between toxic hexavalent chromium and non-toxic trivalent chromium in water using IC-ICP-MS.

This application note presents an advanced analytical system for the sensitive detection of trace-level air toxics in humid ambient air samples, in accordance with US EPA Method TO-15A. The cryogen-free preconcentration and thermal desorption approach, coupled to GC-MS, delivers exceptional chromatographic performance even for highly volatile and polar compounds. The system meets the stringent detection limit requirements of the latest air monitoring regulations, with method detection limits as low as 0.7 pptv. This innovative analytical solution provides a robust, cost-effective platform for the reliable quantification of hazardous air pollutants, enabling compliance with regulatory standards.

This application note explores an efficient, helium-free method for continuous monitoring of ozone precursors in ambient air, aligned with EPA PAMS requirements. By using hydrogen as the carrier gas, this approach achieves faster run times, stable retention times, and effective separation of volatile organic compounds. A case study from New York City highlights the system's performance in urban air quality monitoring, capturing shifts in pollutant levels during periods of reduced traffic. With remote operability and cryogen-free functionality, this method offers a reliable and sustainable solution for real-time air quality analysis in both urban and remote environments.

This application note demonstrates the use of high through-put automated thermal desorption (TD) coupled with GC-MS/MS for comprehensive PFAS measurement in indoor air. The method enables accurate quantification of a wide range of PFAS compounds, including neutral and volatile species, down to ultra-trace levels. Applying this approach, the study profiled PFAS contamination across different indoor environments, from workplaces to residences. When using sampling chambers to test materials, the PFAS they release into the indoor air can be identified, along with quantifying the emission rate of such releases.

This application note outlines a cryogen-free approach to collect and analyse ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and halogenated greenhouse gases (GHGs) in 100% humidity ambient air. The system uses automated canister sampling, a Nafion dryer for water vapour management, and GC-MS with selected ion monitoring to quantify 34 target compounds. The method achieves detection limits in the 0.08-0.30 ppt range, with good linearity, precision, and accuracy, meeting international requirements for monitoring these critical substances. The cryogen-free design and ability to handle highly humid samples make this a flexible and efficient solution for industrial ODS and GHG monitoring worldwide.

This study demonstrates the performance of thermal desorption (TD) analysis for the monitoring of 'air toxic' compounds according to US EPA Method TO-17. The results show excellent precision, linearity, and low method detection limits for all 65 target compounds across a wide volatility range. Key capabilities highlighted include the ability to re-collect and re-analyse split samples, as well as determining safe sampling volumes through breakthrough testing. The application of TD-GC-MS for trace-level air toxics analysis is shown to be a robust and reliable technique, meeting the stringent requirements of the US EPA method.

This application note outlines an analytical approach that meets the stringent requirements of EPA Method 327 for monitoring ethylene oxide and other hazardous air pollutants. The key innovation is the ability to achieve the required sensitivity without the need for liquid cryogen cooling, enabling more cost-effective and productive monitoring. Highlights include a 10 ppt method detection limit for ethylene oxide, effective management of sampling bias and chromatographic interferences, and straightforward method transfer between laboratories. The flexible, cryogen-free preconcentration system enables large-volume sampling to boost sensitivity while simplifying operation, making it an attractive solution for implementing the new EPA method.

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PFAS Reference Materials

PFAS testing can be highly challenging, which is why we make it easier with our convenient portfolio of PFAS reference materials. Advance environmental and health safety with standards you can trust.

Ensure environmental and consumer health with our standards for 6PPD-quinone testing. 6PPD-quinone has been detected in the environment and has shown toxicity to aquatic life. Chiron, by Zeptometrix® offers reference standards suitable for Draft EPA Method 1634.

This white paper explores the health risks, environmental impacts, and detection technologies associated with PFAS, along with the latest advancements in PFAS research. It also provides an overview of the regulatory landscape and emphasizes the crucial role of companies like ZeptoMetrix® in supplying PFAS reference materials, which are essential for ensuring the accuracy of testing. Lastly, the paper outlines key areas for future PFAS research.

The World’s First Microplastics Reference Materials. Our scientists have focused on these emerging global threats, and are excited to share Chiron MicroPrefs®, the first commercial microplastic reference material. The MicroPref® portfolio is designed to detect the six most abundant plastics in the environment and is available in a novel, easy-to-use tablet formulation. Be among the first labs to join in the fight against microplastic pollution by exploring the NEW line of Chiron MicroPrefs® microplastic standards.

Glycan analysis provides key information on critical quality attributes that could affect stability, safety and efficacy of a protein therapeutic. Specific needs for understanding the glycosylation profiles change throughout the drug development process, but the requirement for high-resolution glycan information remains the same and is essential to help ensure product quality.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are exceptionally versatile chemicals and have seemingly endless applications. Due to their persistent nature; prevalence in blood, food and environment; and emerging toxicity, there is a significant concern for their presence in the human body. Analysis is especially complicated due to background contamination in laboratory supplies and system. This paper will discuss sample preparation and LC-MS/MS analysis of an expanded panel of PFAS compounds in serum.