AIR/EMISSION - Product Catalogue ALS EUROPE

Importance of the topic

Monitoring and quantifying air emissions and ambient pollutants is critical to safeguard public health, ensure regulatory compliance, and guide environmental management decisions. Accurate measurement of inorganic gases, metals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semivolatile compounds, and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) underpins risk assessment, process optimization in industry, and support for policy frameworks such as the EU Emissions Trading Scheme and national air quality directives. Advanced analytical services equip laboratories, industrial facilities, and environmental agencies with the data required to assess exposure, validate control technologies, and demonstrate adherence to legal limits.

Objectives and overview

ALS Global’s Air/Emission Product Catalogue for Europe compiles an extensive portfolio of testing services designed to meet Annex II of Regulation 166/2006 on industrial emissions. It aims to:

• Detail the range of pollutants determined, from inorganic gases (SO₂, NO₂, NH₃, HCl, HF, HCN) and particulate-bound metals to VOCs, PAHs, PCBs, PCDD/F and other ultratrace organics.
• Present applicable sampling media and methods for ambient air, source testing, emission monitoring, ash characterization, and waste acceptance criteria (WAC).
• Specify limits of quantification (LOQs), sample volume requirements, and applicable reference methods to support quality assurance in accredited laboratories.

Methodology and instrumentation

ALS employs a broad array of standardized sampling and analysis techniques:

• Absorption solutions and impingers for soluble gases (NIOSH 7903); quartz and PTFE filters for particles, metals, and Cr(VI) (NIOSH 7602).
• Diffusive Radiello® samplers and SKC charcoal tubes for passive and active VOC gas collection.
• Thermal desorption tubes for VOC screening (EPA TO-14, EN ISO 16017) and canister sampling with Silonite®-coated canisters (EPA TO-15).
• High-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC/UV-FLD) for PAHs and semivolatiles.
• Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-resolution GC-MS (HRGC-HRMS) for VOCs, PAHs, PCDD/F, and PCBs (EPA TO-9A, TO-23, EN 1948-4).
• Ion chromatography (IC) for anions and Cr(VI), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for multi-element analysis, and atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) for mercury.
• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and polarized light microscopy (PLM) for fiber and dust characterization.

Main results and discussion

The catalogue systematically presents:

• Ambient air services: quantification of inorganic gases, inorganic acids, quartz, asbestos, mercury, hexavalent chromium, metals, VOCs, formaldehyde, PAHs, PCDD/F, PCBs.
• Emission stack testing: absorption sampling for regulated gases, filter and sorbent methods for metals and Cr(VI), sorbent tubes for VOCs, PCDD/F, PCBs, PAHs.
• Ash and residue analysis: dry matter, organic carbon, inert parameters, metals, POPs, and leachate WAC protocols for hazardous and non-hazardous classification.
• LOQs tailored to typical sampling volumes (e.g., 100–325 m³ for air, 4–10 m³ for emissions, 20 g–50 g for solids) to meet or exceed regulatory thresholds.
• Comprehensive technical support including ready-to-use sorbent cartridges, Radiello® modules, absorption solutions, and filter preparations to streamline field deployment.

Benefits and practical applications

Key advantages of ALS services include:

• Global ISO/IEC 17025 accredited network ensuring consistency and traceability.
• Fast-track ALS Quick turnaround (1–3 days) and same-day reporting for select routine parameters.
• Customizable sampling kits and online ordering portals for POPs and VOC modules.
• Expertise in ultra-trace organics and radiochemical testing to support environmental, industrial, food, pharmaceutical, and clinical matrices.
• Integrated data management via Webtrieve for real-time result access.

Future trends and opportunities

Emerging directions in air and emission analysis may include:

• Remote and in situ sensor networks combined with real-time data analytics and AI-driven anomaly detection.
• Miniaturized, portable GC-MS and sensor platforms for on-site screening with near-instant feedback.
• Enhanced automation and robotics in sample preparation and high-throughput instrumentation.
• Application of isotopic and speciation techniques to trace emission sources and transformation pathways.
• Integration of field-deployed diffusive samplers with time-resolved monitoring and cloud-based reporting.

Conclusion

ALS’s Air/Emission Product Catalogue consolidates a full spectrum of analytical solutions for ambient air, stack emissions, and residue characterization. Its comprehensive methods, global network, and rapid delivery options support clients in meeting stringent environmental regulations, optimizing process controls, and advancing research in air quality and pollutant transformation.

References

No specific literature references were provided in the source document.