Sustainable Approach to Environmental Laboratory Analyses

Sustainability in the Lab: Navigating an Evolving Societal Expectation
Oral Presentation

Prepared by J. MITCHELL
PACE ANALYTICAL, 12065 LEBANON ROAD, Mt. Juliet, TN, 37122, United States


Contact Information: [email protected]; 615-944-9517

ABSTRACT

As written, EPA methodologies for many analyses require the collection of significant volumes of sample material, generally in duplicate, for each sampling point. These large volumes of sample require handling, shipping, and processing that can detract from environmental sustainability. An emerging trend in analytical processes to reduce the volume of sample required for collection, transportation and management using newer available technologies or instrumentation will be necessary to reduce the environmental impact of the sampling and analysis process.
The historical approach to sample collection and analysis was based on collection of large volumes of sample, typically 1000 ml for most water extractable analyses. Using newer technologies in analytical instrumentation for analysis, the laboratory began development of procedures requiring significantly reduced sample volumes without increasing the laboratory’s levels of detection and quantification. Using smaller containers, these processes reduce by up to 90% or more the volume collected, shipped, and processed for the analytical program. The laboratory worked with primary instrument manufacturers to develop more sensitive instrumentation, allowing for a mechanism to reduce both the volume material required for collection and analysis as well as significant reductions in greenhouse gas emitting solvents used in the transportation, preparation, and analytical processes.
This discussion will present a fully implemented and environmentally sustainable process for analysis of materials of concern that results in a significantly reduced environmental impact associated with the field collection activities, shipping of material to the analytical laboratory, and analysis of the material for investigatory or regulatory reporting. These processes were developed and presented for regulatory approval and have been implemented by participating Pace Analytical Services facilities. In this presentation, validated laboratory data providing for adherence to the documented regulatory requirements suing more sustainable procedures will be discussed. Using these validated and approved procedures, a partnership with Pace may reduce the environmental impact from sampling and analysis programs by as much as 90%. These reductions can be measured and reported, documenting advances in the primary client’s efforts to reduce their environmental impact.