Pesticides and biocides are widely used in agriculture, building materials, and urban gardening to control pests and protect crops and public health. While much attention has been paid to pesticide residues in food, water, and outdoor environments, far less is known about their presence inside homes, where people spend the majority of their time. A new RECETOX study published in Indoor Environments addresses this gap by examining pesticides detected in house dust and their relevance for human exposure.&nbsp;The study reveals that Czech household dust commonly contains multiple pesticide residues, highlighting the persistence of both historic and current chemical use indoors. Modern pesticides were detected in 93% of homes, with two fungicides (carbendazim and propiconazole) most frequently found, while compounds related to the long‑banned pesticide DDT were present in dust from all homes, and were at higher levels in homes over 40 years old. Homes located closer to agricultural areas showed higher levels of current‑use pesticides in spring, indicating an influence of nearby farming activities. &nbsp;House dust acts as a sink for chemicals transported indoors from outdoor sources as well as from indoor use. Many pesticides can persist in dust for long periods, leading to continuous exposure in indoor spaces. This is particularly important for young children, who have higher exposure to dust from playing on the floor and mouthing toys and objects. The research underscores that indoor environments are not isolated from their surroundings. Understanding what ends up in house dust is a crucial step toward protecting public health and developing more comprehensive approaches to managing chemical risks in everyday life.&nbsp;<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/RECETOX_Vyzkum_pesticidu_v_domacim_prachu_opomijena_cesta_lidske_expozice_a9a089fd2f.jpg" alt="RECETOX: Pesticides in House Dust: An Overlooked Pathway of Human Exposure" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_RECETOX_Vyzkum_pesticidu_v_domacim_prachu_opomijena_cesta_lidske_expozice_a9a089fd2f.jpg 195w," sizes="100vw" width="738" height="591"><blockquote><h4>Original Article</h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950362026000214?via%3Dihub">Legacy and current-use pesticides in indoor settled dust and association with building age and seasonality</a></h4>Paula Marcinekova, Ondřej Mikeš, Simona Rozárka Jílková, Petr Šenk, Jakub Martiník, Jan Böhm, Petra Borilova Linhartova, Lenka Andrýsková, Jana Klánová, Lisa MelymukIndoor Environ., 2026, 3, 100169<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indenv.2026.100169">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indenv.2026.100169</a>&nbsp;<h6>licensed under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC-BY 4.0</a></h6></blockquote><h4>Abstract</h4>Indoor pesticide exposure is increasingly recognized as a significant contributor to pollutant exposure in residential spaces. This study investigates concentrations of legacy organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and current-use pesticides (CUPs) in settled dust from 116 homes in the Czech Republic, in the context of their seasonal variability, relationships with building characteristics, geospatial factors, and indoor dust bacteriome diversity and composition. CUPs were detected in dust in 93% of homes, with carbendazim (84.5%), propiconazole (49.1%), atrazine (24.1%), and tebuconazole (11.2%) detected most frequently. OCPs were found in all homes. Propiconazole concentrations were significantly higher in homes with adjacent gardens, potentially reflecting its use as a biocide in outdoor building materials. CUP concentrations had clear seasonal trends, with peak levels in spring and summer, corresponding to pesticide application periods, particularly in rural environments. OCP concentrations were substantially higher in houses over 40 years old, indicating the persistence of residues from past indoor uses. While pesticide presence was ubiquitous, exposure estimates for children, under both average and high-exposure scenarios, were well below U.S. EPA reference doses (RfDs) for individual compounds; however, most homes had 3–11 pesticides in dust, raising the possibility of mixture effects. No significant associations, using a Spearman rank correlation matrix, were observed between pesticide concentrations and indoor dust bacteriome diversity and composition. These findings highlight the presence of pesticides in homes, including those in urban areas, driven by both current and historical sources, and reinforce the importance of monitoring to better understand potential exposure pathways.<h4>Instrumentation</h4><h5>1. LC–MS/MS analysis of CUPs</h5><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library?instrumentationItems=27&amp;mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=1290+Series+Gradient">Agilent 1290 Series Gradient HPLC</a></li><li>Columns:<ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/products/1701">Phenomenex Luna C18</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library?instrumentationItems=34&amp;mainauthorItems=50&amp;search=SecurityGuard+C18">Phenomenex SecurityGuard C18</a></li></ul></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=55&amp;search=QTrap+5500%2B">SCIEX QTrap 5500+</a> (triple quadrupole MS, ESI+)</li></ul><h5>2. GC–MS/MS analysis of OCPs</h5><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?instrumentationItems=1&amp;mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=8890A">Agilent 8890A GC</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?instrumentationItems=19&amp;mainauthorItems=7&amp;search=Rxi-5Sil-MS">Restek Rxi-5Sil-MS capillary column</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=7000D">Agilent 7000D triple quadrupole MS</a></li></ul>

Pesticides in House Dust: An Overlooked Pathway of Human Exposure

🎤 Presenter: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/articles?search=petr+vozka">Petr Vozka</a> (California State University LA)💾 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/paper/32783">PDF presentation</a><h3>Abstract</h3>Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive pollutants throughout our local marine environments. They serve as vectors for organic compounds, yet the variability of their adsorbed contaminants along highly urbanized coastlines remains poorly resolved.This study examines the variation in MP contamination and its associated organic compounds across three beach sites in the greater Los Angeles region. Surface sediments will be collected from each site. MPs will be isolated through a density separation to remove inorganic components, followed by oxidative digestion of the remaining organic matter. The recovered MPs will be characterized using an inlet capable of high-temperature thermal desorption/pyrolysis coupled with two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GCxGC-TOFMS) to identify polymer-specific marker compounds and thereby determine MP composition and relative abundance at each location. In addition, a preliminary thermal desorption (TD) step will be applied before pyrolysis to assess organic compounds adsorbed to MP surfaces. Chromatographic profiles from the single-step <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?instrumentationItems=13-3-2-11-8">TD/PY-GC×GC-TOF-MS</a> analyses will be statistically compared among sites using <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/1873">Chromatof Sync 2D software</a> to evaluate differences in both polymer types and co-occurring contaminants. The results will provide insight into how local sources, hydrodynamics, and land use patterns influence the distribution of MP polymers and their adsorbed contaminant loads along urbanized Southern California coastlines.<h3>Video Transcription</h3>In this presentation, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/articles?search=petr+vozka">Petr Vozka</a> (California State University, Los Angeles) addresses a critical analytical challenge associated with chemical recycling of plastics—namely, the detailed characterization of unsaturated hydrocarbons (olefins) formed during depolymerization processes.Plastic waste recycling remains a major global issue, with most materials still ending up in landfills. Emerging thermochemical and catalytic recycling approaches convert plastic waste into fuel-like products. However, these products are highly complex mixtures containing a broad distribution of hydrocarbons, particularly olefins, whose accurate quantification and classification remain analytically demanding.Unlike conventional petroleum-derived fuels, plastic pyrolysis oils may contain up to ~50 wt.% olefins, making traditional analytical methods insufficient.<h4>Why Olefin Characterization Matters</h4>Olefin content directly impacts:<ul><li>Fuel stability and reactivity</li><li>Downstream upgrading processes</li><li>Material compatibility and storage</li><li>Environmental and regulatory compliance</li></ul>However, most standard methods (e.g., bromine number, FIA) only provide bulk unsaturation metrics and lack structural resolution.Additionally, these methods can produce misleading results, especially in complex matrices:<ul><li>Misclassification of compounds (e.g., dienes or heteroatom species as aromatics)</li><li>Poor performance at high olefin concentrations</li><li>Limited chemical specificity</li></ul><h4>Role of GC×GC-FID in Complex Hydrocarbon Analysis</h4>To address these challenges, the group employs comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) with FID detection, which offers:<ul><li>High peak capacity</li><li>Structured chromatographic separation</li><li>Quantitative robustness for hydrocarbons</li></ul>Using reverse-phase GC×GC, hydrocarbons can be organized into regions:<ul><li>n-alkanes</li><li>isoalkanes</li><li>cycloalkanes</li><li>aromatics</li></ul>However, a key finding of this work is that olefins are not confined to a single chromatographic region, as often assumed in literature. Instead:<ul><li>Mono-unsaturated compounds co-elute with isoalkanes and monocycloalkanes</li><li>Di- and poly-unsaturated species appear in higher-order cyclic regions</li><li>Distribution follows a systematic trend linked to double bond count</li></ul>This significantly complicates direct quantification.<h4>Approach 1: GC×GC Combined with Selective Adsorption</h4>The first strategy combines GC×GC-FID with silver-modified silica adsorption:Principle:<ul><li>Olefins are selectively retained on the cartridge</li><li>Sample is analyzed before and after treatment</li><li>Olefin content is calculated from peak area differences</li></ul>Key features:<ul><li>Sample volume: ~50 µL</li><li>Analysis time: ~15 minutes</li><li>Quantification based on weight % (FID response)</li></ul>Advantages:<ul><li>Simple and cost-effective</li><li>Provides group-type quantification</li><li>Suitable for high-olefin samples</li></ul>Limitations:<ul><li>Reliable only above ~5 wt.% olefins</li><li>Primarily applicable to aliphatic olefins</li><li>Limited performance for heavier or aromatic systems</li><li>Co-elution effects may distort alkane quantification</li></ul>Notably, results showed that alkanes can be overestimated if olefins are not properly removed prior to quantification.<h4>Approach 2: Chemical Derivatization for Olefin Identification</h4>The second strategy focuses on chemical derivatization of double bonds, enabling more detailed structural analysis.<h5>Classical Method: DMDS Derivatization</h5><ul><li>Reagent: dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) + iodine</li><li>Reaction at ~70 °C for 1 hour</li><li>Converts olefins into heavier, more polar derivatives</li><li>Shifts peaks to different regions in GC×GC space</li></ul>Outcome:<ul><li>Enables differentiation between saturated and unsaturated species</li><li>Allows carbon-number-resolved quantification</li><li>Provides detailed group-type analysis</li></ul><h5>Limitations:</h5><ul><li>DMDS not sufficiently heavy → incomplete chromatographic shift in complex samples</li><li>Overlap with aromatic region complicates interpretation</li><li>Formation of DMDS-related artifacts</li><li>Requires elevated temperature</li><li>Regulatory challenges (iodine handling)</li></ul><h4>Next-Generation Derivatization Strategy</h4>To overcome these limitations, the group explored alternative disulfide reagents with improved properties:<ul><li>Higher molecular weight → better chromatographic separation</li><li>Improved polarity → enhanced peak shifting</li><li>Reaction at room temperature</li><li>Reduced reliance on iodine (under development)</li></ul>Verification using ¹H NMR confirmed complete consumption of double bonds, demonstrating full derivatization.This new approach significantly improves applicability for:<ul><li>Jet fuel and diesel-range samples</li><li>Highly complex pyrolysis oils</li><li>Advanced structural characterization</li></ul><h4>Analytical Impact and Future Directions</h4>This work demonstrates that combining GC×GC with targeted sample preparation strategies enables:<ul><li>Detailed olefin quantification beyond bulk parameters</li><li>Improved classification of complex hydrocarbon mixtures</li><li>Better understanding of plastic depolymerization pathways</li></ul>Future developments include:<ul><li>Integration with TOF-MS for structural confirmation</li><li>Potential coupling with VUV detection</li><li>Full method validation across feedstocks</li><li>Expansion toward aromatic olefin analysis</li></ul><h4>Conclusion</h4>Accurate characterization of olefins in plastic recycling streams requires moving beyond conventional bulk methods. The combination of GC×GC separation with selective adsorption and advanced derivatization provides a powerful analytical toolbox for resolving these complex systems.This work highlights the importance of method development tailored to emerging matrices, particularly in the context of circular economy and sustainable materials.<blockquote>This text has been automatically transcribed from a video presentation using AI technology. It may contain inaccuracies and is not guaranteed to be 100% correct.</blockquote>

Counting Double Bonds: GCxGC–FID For Plastic Pyrolysis Oils (Petr Vozka, MDCW 2026)

Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezGCMS Library in the week of 27th April 2026? Check out new documents from the field of the gas phase, especially GC and GC/MS techniques!<blockquote>👉 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library">SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT GCMS AND RELATED TECHNIQUES</a></blockquote><blockquote>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques? Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezLCMS</a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezICPMS</a> libraries.</blockquote>This week we bring you application note by Shimadzu, scientific article by BaySpec, poster by MDCW / JEOL and technical note by Thermo Fisher Scientific!<h3>1. BaySpec: PNNL and BaySpec Launch Compact Mass Spectrometry System for Rapid Narcotics Detection</h3><ul><li>Scientific article</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/PNNL_and_Bay_Spec_Launch_Compact_Mass_Spectrometry_System_for_Rapid_Narcotics_Detection_087ddb9b7e.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>The U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s (PNNL) VaporID, which is a newly developed portable air sampling system incorporating a miniaturized mass spectrometer (MS), can detect trace levels of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and even explosives like TNT with great accuracy, the laboratory announced in a press release (1). Because of its success, BaySpec, an optical products manufacturer, is commercializing this instrument, which will be produced later in 2025 (1,2).&nbsp;The new system employs a technique known as noncontact detection, which collects airborne molecules and analyzes them in real time using a miniature mass spectrometer (1). The VaporID device was first developed in 2020. The device won GeekWire’s Innovation of the Year award that same year (2). At the 2025 American Society for Mass Spectrometry (ASMS) conference in Baltimore Maryland, Krisztian Torma, a BaySpec scientist and one of the lead developers, presented the latest test results of the device. The VaporID device was field-tested at the U.S.–Mexico border crossing in Nogales, Arizona. Working with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency, the device was able to successfully identify trace amounts of fentanyl, as well as other narcotics including MDMA (ecstasy), methamphetamine, ketamine, and cocaine (1).Fentanyl, explosives, and other drugs have low vapor pressure, which means that they do not willingly evaporate and release very few molecules into the air. Given the fact that there are often other interfering chemicals in the air, this presents a detection challenge. The VaporID system overcomes this hurdle by filtering out irrelevant vapors and enhancing signal clarity (1).&nbsp;The success of the VaporID system is the result of a two-year collaboration between PNNL and BaySpec. With plans to commercialize the system by the end of the year, BaySpec aims to bring this advanced narcotics and explosives detection tool into routine use at ports of entry, airports, shipping facilities, and public event venues (1).<h3>2. MDCW / JEOL: ANALYSIS OF AROMA COMPOUNDS IN SPICES BY COMPREHENSIVE TWO-DIMENSIONAL GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY/TIME-OF-FLIGHT MASS SPECTROMETRY WITH MACHINE LEARNING-BASED STRUCTURE ELUCIDATION AND MOLECULAR FORMULA ESTIMATION</h3><ul><li>Poster</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/P_9_Kubota_90c993d536.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul><section><div><div><div><div><div><div>In GCxGC-MS, compound identification is commonly performed by searching the NIST database (DB) using electron ionization (EI) data. However, some compounds are not registered in the NIST DB. In addition, molecular formula estimation from molecular ions obtained by soft ionization often results in a large number of candidate formulas. To address these issues, we developed two machine learning (ML)–based methods for molecular formula recommendation and structural formula estimation. In this study, these methods are applied to the analysis of aroma compounds in spices using SPME-GCxGC-TOFMS.<h4>Experiments</h4><ul><li>Sample: 0.25 mg dried cardamom seeds&nbsp;</li><li>GC-HRTOFMS: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=23&amp;search=JMS-T2000GC">JMS-T2000GC</a> (JEOL)&nbsp;<ul><li>SPME Fiber: DVB/CAR/PDMS fiber (20 mm, 50/30 μm) at 50°C for 30 min.&nbsp;</li><li>GCxGC Thermal modulator: INSIGHT-Thermal (Sepsolve)&nbsp;</li><li>Modulation period: 6 s&nbsp;</li><li>Column: BPX5 30 m, 0.25 mm. 0.25 µm × Rxi-17Sil MS 3.4 m, 0.15 mm, 0.15µm</li><li>Ionization: Electron ionization (EI) and Field ionization (FI).&nbsp;</li></ul></li><li>Data processing: msFineAnalysis AI (JEOL)</li></ul><h4>Conclusion</h4>We reported two machine learning (ML)-based methods for molecular formula recommendation and structural formula estimation, and applied them to the analysis of aroma compounds. Our method is considered effective for rapid structural estimation of unknown compounds in GCxGC-MS measurements.<h3>3. Shimadzu: HS-GC Analysis of Sake Aroma Compounds Using Hydrogen Carrier Gas</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_01_00886_en_974e971712.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul><h5>User Benefits</h5><ul><li>Aroma compounds in alcoholic beverages can be quantified easily and cost-effectively.</li><li>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=HS-20+NX">HS-20 NX headspace sampler</a> enables simple, high-sensitivity analysis of aroma compounds.</li><li>Using hydrogen as the carrier gas reduces costs while maintaining separation performance.</li></ul>Aroma is a crucial component of sake. Therefore, during the sake production process, it is essential to preserve the sake’s aroma profile. One key step in sake production is pasteurization (“hiire”), in which unpasteurized sake is heated to sterilize it, deactivate enzymes, and halt fermentation. This pasteurization step is known to impair the aroma of sake if it is carried out for too long or at too high a temperature. In this analysis, a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=Nexis+GC-2030">Nexis GC-2030 gas chromatograph</a> was combined with an HS-20 NX headspace sampler (Fig. 1) to quantify individual aroma compounds in sake before and after pasteurization.&nbsp;Headspace gas chromatography (HS-GC) is an effective method for analyzing volatile compounds, including aromas. HS-GC requires no pretreatment (e.g., derivatization), and sample preparation is straightforward: simply place the sample in a vial and perform the analysis.&nbsp;Hydrogen, which is inexpensive and readily available, was used as the carrier gas. Using H2 gas as the carrier reduces analysis costs while maintaining high separation performance over a wide range of linear velocities. However, because hydrogen is flammable, it must be handled with care. The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=Nexis+GC-2030">Nexis GC-2030</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=Brevis+GC-2050">Brevis GC-2050</a>, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=Nexis+GC-2060">Nexis GC-2060</a> gas chromatographs can be equipped with an optional hydrogen sensor that measures H2 concentration in the column oven. If the hydrogen sensor detects a leak, the system shiftsto standby mode or automatically powers off, helping prevent accidents before they occur.<h4>Conclusion</h4>By combining the Nexis GC-2030 gas chromatograph with the HS-20 NX headspace sampler, the aroma compounds can be easily quantified without pretreatment such as derivatization. In addition, using inexpensive, readily available H2 as the carrier gas reduces analysis costs while maintaining high separation performance. Because the Nexis GC-2030 can be equipped with an optional hydrogen sensor, analyses using H2 carrier gas can be performed safely.<h3>4. Thermo Fisher Scientific: “Outside the box” Raman spectroscopy: Remote measurements for bulk samples</h3><ul><li>Technical note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/remote_measurements_for_bulk_samples_tn1524_en_498225b670.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>The effectiveness of Raman spectroscopy depends, in general, on focusing the excitation laser onto the sample. However, there are many cases where a traditional spectrometer’s working distance is not sufficient to achieve this, in which case a focus-independent, long-distance collection proves invaluable. One potential application of this focus-independent “remote” measurement is high-throughput plastics recycling, where many differently sized plastics are passed along at a fixed distance and screened for specific material identification. Similarly, any potential use cases of samples inside a glove box or within a hazardous environment may benefit from long-distance collection, because the laboratory grade spectrometer can be kept clear of the sample enclosure while providing excellent spectral signal. It should be noted that each unique application comes with its own optical beam path and laser safety requirements.In addition to this particular modality, the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/2238">Thermo Scientific™ DXR3 Flex Raman Spectrometer</a> provides excellent experimental versatility with micro scale, bulk sampling, and fiber probe collection modes also available. Shown below is a longdistance analytical setup in which the DXR3 Flex Raman spectrometer passes the unfocused laser beam through a quartz shielding window onto a polystyrene sample (Figure 1). The relationship between pathlength/sample mounting preparation and spectral signal is investigated below, to validate the use of a long-distance collection mode as a viable alternative to more traditional, focus-dependent analysis. It is worth mentioning the practice of standoff Raman spectroscopy, a technique designed to provide Raman data at distances ranging from 1 m to several hundred meters. However, these systems often require significantly different components than a standard Raman spectrometer, such as pulsed lasers, gated detectors, UV excitation wavelengths, and telescopic focusing elements.¹ The work described here performs measurements at a distance with a simple, off-the-shelf, benchtop spectrometer.<h4>Practical use case: recycled plastic identification&nbsp;</h4>One of the major benefits of this long-distance measurement technique is being able to handle samples of various sizes and thicknesses without needing to adjust the laser focus for specific samples. The following results simulate a potential use case where remote Raman spectroscopy is used to rapidly identify the plastic materials of various sizes. The samples were fixed at a 50 cm pathlength, and collection times were set at 10 s.All three samples show clear and identifiable Raman signals. The plastic drum is identified as polyethylene, while the water bottle is a specific, BPA-free polycarbonate alternative. The plastic bag is multilayered, with signals from both polyethylene and polycarbonate, along with a visible fluorescence peak at 2150 cm-1. All of these different polymers are spectroscopically identifiable, and at a range of different sample thicknesses. These results provide an excellent view into the use of this technique on non-reference samples. This is just one example of a potential use for the long-distance collection mode, a mode which enables much greater versatility in experimental design and instrument placement.</div></div></div></div></div></div></section>

News from LabRulezGCMS Library - Week 18, 2026

Article

Application

Video

Health

Presentation

Science and research

Poster

RECETOX (Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment) is an independent department of the Faculty of Science of Masaryk University in Brno, which has been established in 1983. RECETOX is focused on the research and education in cross-cutting area of Environment and Health. It addresses interactions among chemicals, environment, and biological systems, including consequences at local, regional, and global levels.

RECETOX - Centrum pro výzkum toxických látek v prostředí

The Multidimensional Chromatography (MDC) Workshop draws experts in this exciting field to share and discuss their research.

The Multidimensional Chromatography Workshop

Everything from the world of analytical chemistry in one place. We connect people in solving their problems. At Labrulez you will find all the necessary information easily, quickly and clearly. Stop searching and start finding.

LabRulez

DataApex

Separation Science

Agilent Technologies

Free webinar. We will show you how to work with sequences in Clarity Chromatography Software and answer your questions.
We all know the importance of getting work done quickly and efficiently, but sometimes we struggle.
If you&#39;re a user of Clarity Chromatography Software, we&#39;ve got some great news for you!
Our upcoming FREE WEBINAR will show you how to use sequences smartly. We&#39;ll cover everything from setting up sequences to optimizing them for maximum efficiency.
This is a great opportunity to learn about the software&#39;s advanced capabilities and gain valuable insights into how you can improve your workflows.
Don&#39;t miss this chance to improve your skills and knowledge of Clarity Chromatography Software.

DataApex: Ask the Expert: Effective work with sequences in Clarity

Ask the Expert: Effective work with sequences in Clarity

Free webinar. We will show you how to work with sequences in Clarity Chromatography Software and answer your questions.

The scientific experience is critical to the success and efficiency of the entire laboratory ecosystem – from software and instruments to workflows and processes. Scientists need to be able to focus on their critical work, and not be burdened by challenges such as siloed data, manual processes, and old technology. It is critical that organizations keep pace with technological and scientific advancements, as those changes have a direct impact on how a lab operates.
The way that laboratory personnel need to interact with software, instruments, equipment, and systems makes a significant impact on their daily work. Access to mobile applications, barcode-driven workflows, voice control capabilities, and extended reality software provides innovative and easier ways for scientists to achieve their goals. New automation capabilities improve efficiency, eliminating manual intervention and streamlining processes and workflows in the lab. Improved tools, such as enhanced dashboards and new AI/ML capabilities, deliver knowledge from data and empower the scientist to make faster, more informed decisions. Lab software solutions built with pre-configured QA/QC capabilities provide an intuitive, easy process to execute typical scientific workflows with minimal training.
<h5>By attending this presentation you will learn about:</h5>
<ul>
<li>Novel ways to interact with LIMS - Mobile, barcode driven workflows, voice control, and extended reality</li>
<li>Delivering knowledge from data – Dashboards and data analytics, including AI/ML capabilities</li>
<li>Automation solutions - Drive Business Intelligence, eliminate manual intervention, and improve efficiency</li>
<li>Intuitive workflows – Easier, more simplified processes with pre-configured QA/QC capabilities</li>
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Presenter: Nicola Gardner (Senior Manager, Product Marketing – Digital Science Solutions, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
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As Sr. Manager, Product Marketing for the Digital Science Solutions business at Thermo Fisher Scientific, Nicola leads the marketing strategy around our product portfolio, and describes to customers how they can apply laboratory software to move towards a smarter lab and digitally transform their business. A Masters in Analytical Chemistry and a wealth of laboratory experience provides Nicola with a solid understanding of process, data, and connectivity challenges. Nicola helps to drive discussion around technology adoption to inform businesses on their digital transformation journey and to enable scientists to spend more time focusing on science.
</blockquote>

Pixabay/Photo Mix: Enhancing the scientific experience using laboratory software

Enhancing the scientific experience using laboratory software

Novel ways to interact with LIMS. Delivering knowledge from data. Automation solutions. Intuitive workflows.

The scientific experience using laboratory software

This Seminar is designed to help chemists and lab managers become more familiar with the workings of Agilent’s newest software - OpenLab CDS.
Participants will listen to an Agilent expert and watch a series of live demonstrations.They will have amble opportunity to ask their own specific questions during the course of this seminar. Customers that are new to OpenLab CDS or are using an older software package from Agilent such as ChemStation would benefit from seeing the future of their laboratory software.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Richard Mutkoski (Laboratory Informatics Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Richard Mutkoski began with Agilent (HP) in 1995. He has been an Application Engineer in Agilent’s Laboratory Informatics for the past 18 years. Prior to his career at Agilent Rich spent 12 years in a variety of small pharmaceutical firms in both R&amp;D and QA/QC capacities affording him first-hand knowledge of those workflows, bottlenecks and challenges.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Get The Most Out of Your OpenLab CDS System – An Exploration of Agilent’s Newest Chromatography Data System

Get The Most Out of Your OpenLab CDS System – An Exploration of Agilent’s Newest Chromatography Data System

Become more familiar with the workings of Agilent’s newest software - OpenLab CDS.

Get The Most Out of Your OpenLab CDS System

Learn about the function and advantages of the new control panel including creating instruments, creating projects, activity logs, storage types and paths.
Learn the basic operations of user privileges including assigning permissions and roles, and license utilities.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Richard Mutkoski (Laboratory Informatics Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Richard Mutkoski has been a field representative for over 27 years for both hardware and software. In his current role as an Informatics Application Engineer, Rich presents technical solutions of the OpenLab suite of products to customers worldwide. Prior to his tenure at Agilent Rich spent 15 years in a variety of Pharma QA/QC and R&amp;D positions providing him a unique understanding of those workflows, bottlenecks and challenges.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Openlab CDS ChemStation Edition - Getting Started

Openlab CDS ChemStation Edition - Getting Started

Learn about the function and advantages of the new control panel including creating instruments, creating projects, activity logs, storage types and paths.

The FDA guidance for Computer System Assurance (CSA) is intended to reduce the time and effort of the Computerized System Validation (CSV) process without compromising regulatory compliance or data integrity.
The regulated life science industries generally consider the CSV process as burdensome and as a hindrance to adopting new automation technologies that could greatly improve the efficiency and productivity of their business. In this presentation we will examine the six major points of the CSA guidance and how they can be used to improve your CSV process. We will also examine Agilent’s validation services, our process efficiencies, and how we intend to integrate elements of the CSA guidance.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Michael Korbel (Sr. Compliance Consultant, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
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<blockquote>
Michael has over 22 years of experience in regulated environments in the pharmaceutical and bio-tech industries. Half of Michael&#39;s career has been spent on the customer side of the industry in both IT and laboratory positions, supporting, qualifying, and validating regulated instruments and computerized systems. The other half has been spent providing consultative compliance service programs from the vendor side of the industry. His experience includes technical support and validation of both standalone and enterprise laboratory informatics systems, as well as instrument qualification, preventive maintenance, and relocation services. Michael’s current role at Agilent Technologies is to create new compliance consulting services for our regulated customers and implement them globally. Michael holds a B.S. in Biology, with minors in Chemistry and Environmental Science.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: New FDA guidance “Computer System Assurance” and Agilent Validation Service Offerings

New FDA guidance “Computer System Assurance” and Agilent Validation Service Offerings

The six major points of the CSA guidance and how they can be used to improve your CSV process.

New FDA guidance “Computer System Assurance”

Now that you are using the OpenLab CDS system, why are you still using Excel?
Unlock the incredible calculation potential of your system. You have run a triplicate injection of standards and would like to determine the percent recovery of your samples against the average of those standards. This session will introduce you to the method of being able to do just that within OpenLab CDS WITHOUT the use of Excel.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Richard Mutkoski (Laboratory Informatics Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Richard Mutkoski has been a field representative for over 27 years for both hardware and software. In his current role as an Informatics Application Engineer, Rich presents technical solutions of the OpenLab suite of products to customers worldwide. Prior to his tenure at Agilent Rich spent 15 years in a variety of Pharma QA/QC and R&amp;D positions providing him a unique understanding of those workflows, bottlenecks and challenges.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Calculate Percent Recovery of Samples in OpenLab CDS

Calculate Percent Recovery of Samples in OpenLab CDS

The method of being able to do just that within OpenLab CDS WITHOUT the use of Excel.

This seminar introduces a powerful feature in OpenLab CDS: Custom Calculator.
OpenLab CDS users or chromatographers thinking of moving to OpenLab CDS from another data system can see how this unique feature allows the addition of user defined chromatography calculations directly into the OpenLab CDS data system.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Kathleen O&#39;Dea (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
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<blockquote>
Kathleen O’Dea has a 20 year history with Agilent’s OpenLab products. As an Informatics Application Engineer, Kathleen has visited customers around the world in a wide variety of market areas, helping them to select and implement OpenLab software products.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Introducing the Custom Calculator in OpenLab CDS

Introducing the Custom Calculator in OpenLab CDS

Powerful feature in OpenLab CDS: Custom Calculator.

Are you an analyst, manager, or reviewer who needs to get work done but may not be in the lab?
Especially important today, remote access is a key feature that can increase productivity, reduce compliance costs and is a key part of a disaster recovery plan. This virtual seminar introduces options for thin client technology enabling all Masshunter, ChemStation or OpenLab CDS products to be accessed outside the lab, whether this is at from nearby desks, across sites, or from home.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Mike Ratto (Lab Informatics Applications Specialist, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Mike Ratto has been with Agilent for 29 years as a field representative for both hardware and software products. In his current role as an Informatics Application Specialist, Mike presents technical solutions of OpenLab family of products to customers all over the world.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Agilent Software products and Architecture to enable work from home options

Agilent Software products and Architecture to enable work from home options

Options for thin client technology enabling all Masshunter, ChemStation or OpenLab CDS products to be accessed outside the lab.

Agilent Software products and Architecture to enable work

Are you an analyst, manager, or reviewer who follows the social distancing guidelines but need to get work done without full access to your lab?
Especially important today, Remote Access is a key feature that can increase productivity, reduce compliance costs and can be an integral part of a disaster recovery plan. This virtual seminar introduces options using “Thin Client technology which enables all Masshunter, ChemStation or OpenLab CDS products to be accessed outside the lab, whether this is at from nearby desks, across sites, or from home.
Our learning objectives during this 1 hour session are as follows:
<ul>
<li>An introduction to “Thin Client” technology
</li>
<li>Data and instrument access options from lab, office or home with OpenLab
</li>
<li>Learn technology options that support Social Distancing in the laboratory
</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Mike Ratto (Lab Informatics Applications Specialist, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Mike Ratto has been with Agilent for 29 years as a field representative for both hardware and software products. In his current role as an Informatics Application Specialist, Mike presents technical solutions of OpenLab family of products to customers all over the world.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: OpenLab CDS/ECM Remote Access Solutions to support Social Distancing in the Lab

OpenLab CDS/ECM Remote Access Solutions to support Social Distancing in the Lab

Options using “Thin Client technology which enables all Masshunter, ChemStation or OpenLab CDS products to be accessed outside the lab.

OpenLab CDS/ECM Remote Access Solutions

Agilent has a suite of products that help you advance your laboratory operations and meet new social distancing guidelines.
Crosslab Connect can utilize data collected in OpenLab ECM to capture lab-wide instrument utilization data and present them in dashboards helping you increase efficiency with data driven decisions concerning your instrument assets. iLab operations software is a web based lab and instrument management tool that can help you schedule and share instrument resources so only a planned amount of users can use the intended space or equipment.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Melissa Zeier (Applications Expert, Lab Productivity Solutions)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Melissa has been in the drug development, testing, and laboratory services industries for approximately 15 years. She began her career in big pharma working in high throughput biomarker testing, then moved into the pre-clinical contract testing field specializing in chiral analyte method development for LC-MS/MS. Melissa transitioned to auditing GLP bioanalytical studies before exercising her expertise in the pharma and biopharma sectors as a business intelligence analyst, driving product and service development in the pre-clinical testing industry for a top 3 preclinical CRO prior to joining Agilent. Now, with Agilent, Melissa works in a presales capacity to assist with technical topics and conversations about laboratory productivity solutions. Melissa has a B.S. in Chemistry with minors in Cellular Biology and Mathematics, an M.S. in Analytical Chemistry, and an M.A. in Applied Economics.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Rick Chrisos (Account Manager, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Rick primarily works with enterprise research administration and lab operations across the United States. Dual-wielding as a newly minted member of the Informatics Product Specialist and Team Lead for iLab Operations Software Americas, Rick is responsible for designing solutions to enable his clients to digitize their lab into a virtual landscape. Outside of his role with Agilent, Rick enjoys an active outdoor lifestyle as a “New Englander” and can often be seen accompanied by his dogs. Rick holds a B.S. in Business Administration &amp; Marketing from University of Massachusetts, Amherst.​
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Advance Laboratory Operations by Measuring Instrument Utilization and Scheduling Assets to Meet Social Distancing

Advance Laboratory Operations by Measuring Instrument Utilization and Scheduling Assets to Meet Social Distancing

Suite of products that help you advance your laboratory operations and meet new social distancing guidelines.

GCMS webinars focusing on Software - page 17