Sustainable Approach to Environmental Laboratory AnalysesIdeas for a Sustainable Laboratory Program
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. Advances in analytical instrumentation allows for the combination of multiple historical instruments and analyses into single instruments, reducing labor for preparation, power consumption for multiple instruments, and reduced chemical usage in sample preparation.
This discussion will present environmentally sustainable processes 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. Using these procedures may reduce the environmental impact from sampling and analysis programs by as much as 95%. These reductions can be measured and reported, documenting advances in the primary client’s efforts to reduce their environmental impact.
