AIR/EMISSION - Product Catalogue ALS EUROPE

Importance of Topic

Air and emission monitoring is critical for protecting public health, ensuring environmental compliance and supporting industrial process control. Accurate identification and quantification of gases, particulates, metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) underpins regulatory reporting, risk assessment and decision making in sectors ranging from manufacturing and waste management to ambient and indoor air quality studies.

Objectives and Overview

This catalogue presents a comprehensive range of analytical methods and sampling modules offered by ALS Europe for ambient air, stack emissions, incinerator residues and solid matrices. Its primary aim is to enable clients to select appropriate protocols for target analytes, achieve required limits of quantification (LOQs) and comply with European and international standards such as EN, EPA and ISO 17025.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Sampling approaches include absorption solutions, filter-based collection, diffusive Radiello® tubes, thermal desorption cartridges, high-volume canisters (TO-15) and solid matrices (ash, soil). Key instrumental techniques:

• Ion chromatography (IC) for inorganics and Cr(VI)
• Atomic absorption (AAS-AMA) and atomic fluorescence (AFS) for mercury
• Inductively coupled plasma optical emission (ICP-OES) and mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for multi-element analysis
• Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), high-resolution GC-HRMS and GC-HRMS for VOCs, PAHs, PCBs and PCDD/Fs
• High-performance liquid chromatography with UV-fluorescence detection (HPLC/UV-FLD) for PAHs
• Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) for quartz
• Polarization microscopy (PLM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for fibers and particulate characterization
• Thermal desorption for multi-bed VOC screening

Main Results and Discussion

The ALS catalogue demonstrates the capability to measure a broad spectrum of pollutants at trace to ultra-trace levels. LOQs typically range from sub-ng to low µg per sample, enabling compliance with stringent EU directives (e.g. 166/2006) and national waste acceptance criteria. Sampling modules are tailored to ambient air, industrial stacks, incinerator residues and soil gas, facilitating repeatable, validated results for regulatory and research needs.

Benefits and Practical Use

Clients gain access to:

• End-to-end services from sampling preparation to online data delivery (Webtrieve portal)
• Express turnarounds (ALS Quick) with same-day or 1–3 day reporting for routine parameters
• ISO 17025 accredited, standardized methods for cross-laboratory comparability
• Flexible sampling kits supporting field deployment without pumps (Radiello®, canisters)

Used Instrumentation

Key laboratories employ state-of-the-art platforms:

• High-resolution mass spectrometers (GC-HRMS) for PCDD/Fs and coplanar PCBs
• Quadrupole GC-MS for VOC speciation and screening
• ICP-OES/ICP-MS systems for multi-element determination
• AFS for ultra-trace mercury analysis
• HPLC-UV-FLD for targeted PAH profiles

Future Trends and Possibilities

Emerging developments include real-time sensor networks, miniaturized diffusive samplers, advanced data analytics integrating machine learning for pollution modeling and further reductions in LOQs via novel ionization and detector technologies. Expansion toward non-targeted screening and rapid bioassays will enhance early warning and comprehensive risk assessments.

Conclusion

The ALS Air/Emission Product Catalogue provides an exhaustive resource for environmental and industrial air monitoring. By combining accredited methods, versatile sampling solutions and rapid reporting, ALS supports clients in meeting regulatory demands, improving operational efficiency and advancing air quality management.

Reference

No formal literature references were cited in the source document.