In 1995, Prism Analytical Technologies, Inc. (pati) developed the concept of Air Scan. Air Scan is a technology that couples Fourier Transform-Infrared (FT-IR) spectrometry and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine compounds in the air. Depending upon the application, Air Scan can be used to determine volatile compounds ranging from simple gases such as CO, HCl, HF, and COS, to complex organic compounds such as camphor, menthol, and naphthalene. Calibration curves are maintained for more than 50 compounds to provide quantitative determinations. In-house library reference data is maintained for an additional 200 compounds to provide semiquantitative determinations. In addition, because of the investigative capabilities of Infrared and Mass Spectrometries, it is also possible to identify hundreds more compounds.
The objective of Air Scan technology is to quickly and inexpensively identify what compounds are in the air. It is useful in analyzing vent and stack gases, establishing baseline VOC levels for indoor air quality, or investigating odor or employee complaints. It is particularly useful as a precursor to additional testing; because, once the VOCs are identified, subsequent testing can be tailored to the specific compounds of interest thereby reducing expensive "shot-in-the-dark" testing. Air Scan also has applications for the investigation of off gas from liquids, in-process materials, and product. Air Scan has even been applied to situations such as an investigation into the source for an unpleasant odor in newly manufactured refrigerators, an evaluation of the VOCs emitted when circuit boards overheat, and forensic investigations.
CLICK HERE to view Sample Analytical Report
Depending upon the needs and application, several sampling methodologies can be utilized including thermal desorption tubes, passivated canisters, and tedlar bags. Depending upon sampling and analytical parameters, detection limits as low as 0.2 ng/L (or about 60 parts per trillion) can be achieved.
Industrial Hygiene Applications
IH Applications using thermal desorption tubes
NIOSH Method 2549 incorporates the use of thermal desorption tubes for the identification and quantitation of many organic compounds.
TDT Air Scan®
TDT Air Scan®, uses a multi-matrix thermal desorption tube to trap a wide range of both polar and non-polar organic compounds. TDT Air Scan® is a combination of instrument technology and methodology developed by pati to have a wide range of applications from personal monitoring to the testing of air in office buildings and warehouses to testing ambient air surrounding industrial complexes and landfills.
Please go to "What is Air Scan" for a more complete description of Air Scan technology and its applications.
A TDT Air Scan® tube is 4.5" x ¼" diameter and can be used with a standard personal monitoring pump. Depending upon the application, sampling flow rates can range from 10 to 200 ml/min. Sampling volumes typically do not exceed 40 L. More than 300 compounds can be determined using TDT Air Scan®.
Tedlar Bags and Passivated Canisters
Tedlar bags and passivated canisters can also be analyzed using Air Scan technology. Both tedlar bags and passivated canisters have the advantage of transporting acid gases or other corrosive gases.
New IH Applications using FT-IR
Because of its utility and popularity, new FT-IR methods are also being introduced and applied as IH techniques. NIOSH is currently reviewing recently introduced method for field-portable FT-IR, "Organic and Inorganic Gases by Extractive FTIR." ASTM is also releasing a similar method for extractive FT-IR. Learn more about Extractive FT-IR.
Prism Analytical Technologies is located in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, USA. Call us at (989) 772-5088 to discuss your application.
Process/Industrial Gas Analysis
Thermal desorption tubes can be used to help determine process or industrial gases coming from process emissions, vent gases, or industrial gases.
Prism's TDT Air Scan® service can be used to determine over 250 compounds in the air.
Prism Analytical Technologies, Inc. (pati) utilizes Fourier Transform-Infrared (FT-IR) Spectrometry in the field to capture real-time data. FT-IR can be mobilized in the field to collect and analyze data at or close to the source. For difficult sampling areas such as an exhaust gas stack, heated transfer line, heated pump and probe are used to transport the sample from the source to the FT-IR spectrometer. Our experienced dedicated field staff can assist with your field-testing projects.
FT-IR can be applied to many applications including:
Contact pati for assistance with planning your upcoming project
Airborne Particulate Analysis provides the ability to characterize airborne particulates using SEM-EDS technology. Analysis of particulates includes
Prism's specially designed collection system allows for simple field monitoring and sample archiving.
Prism's staff of chemists are ready to provide assistance with on-site technical problems. We apply chemistry to solve difficult situations rather than forcing known methods that either don't work or don't apply directly to the problem at hand.
Analyzing air, gas or substrates has many different approaches. Contact pati to discuss a situation that may be giving you trouble.
The wide scope of work performed by the professional staff at Prism Analytical Technologies has provided a wealth of expertise that can be applied to emergency response situations. This assistance can come in the form of on-site assistance or over the phone consulting. Off-hour on-call situations can be provided under working agreements between your company and pati.
Several methodologies can provide unique ways to determine point source odor, or organic/inorganic vapor problems. These methodologies include the array of Air Survey analysis using Air Scan technology at Prism. Go to "What is Air Scan" to learn more about pati technologies for analyzing air and gases.
EPA methods including TO-14, TO-15, TO-17, Method 320, 321 are offered at Prism.
Sampling methodologies include thermal desorption tubes, passivated canisters, tedlar bags, or submission of specific product.
Prism Analytical Technologies is located in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, USA. Call us at (989) 772-5088 to discuss your application.
Custom Analytical Applications
Prism Analytical Technologies, Inc. believes that applying sound understanding of analytical chemistry to the solution of analytical problems is far superior to forcing every situation to fit a current written methodology. This minimizes the square-peg-in-a-round-hole syndrome. Prism's technical staff can assist with method development/adaptation and method verification and validation.
Call pati at (989) 772-5088 to discuss your application.
There are several programs that Prism offers that can help to resolve, '"what is in the air" type questions. One-time sampling event, baseline studies or scheduled routine sample events can be ways to resolve air complaints or recurring air problems.
Many times the source of an air problem can be the off gassing of the product itself. Whether the product is feed to a secondary process or the use of the product creates certain off-gassing, pati can assist your staff with the determination of compounds.
Plant Emissions / Cement Industry
Prism provides FT-IR support to air testing and stack testing companies. Whether your need is EPA compliance testing or process engineering, Prism can provide FT-IR instrument and qualified trained staff to perform the required testing. Current EPA protocol such as Method 320 "Measurement of Vapor Phase Organic and Inorganic Emissions by Extractive Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy" and Method 321 "Measurement of Gaseous Hydrogen Chloride Emissions at Portland Cement Kilns by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy" are performed routinely by pati's field staff.
Other support can include thermal desorption tubes, passivated canisters, and/or tedlar bags for in-house laboratory testing.
A wide range of testing capabilities can be applied by Prism's trained laboratory staff to determine off-gassing compounds. Testing of process liquid include the use of GC-MS, FT-IR, and a whole range of wet chemistry methodology. Wet Stream off-gas testing can couple with Air Scan technology for point source determination.
Prism provides a unique service to help determine point source contamination problems in municipal sewer or drainage systems. A unique combination of waste stream off-gas analysis and Air Scan technology aids in the narrowing down or determination of specific point source discharges.
Mold Scan™ is a screening tool for the detection of microbial metabolites known as microbial volatile organic compounds or MVOCs. MVOCs themselves can cause irritation and allergic reactions, but, more importantly, MVOCs are biomarkers for molds that produce toxins that may adversely affect health. These toxins can cause severe allergic reactio
ns and respiratory irritation and they may exacerbate conditions in individuals with asthma or other respiratory ailments. Metabolic mold activity can occur in or on air ducts, wood, cellulose, fiber, insulation, wallboard, evaporator coolers, building materials, concrete/masonry, ceiling tiles, absorbent materials, and in many other places.
Note: You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the Mold Scan™ document. Adobe Acrobat Reader can be downloaded free by clicking here:
If you experience problems viewing the Mold Scan™ document you may need to download the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader. Please click the button above for your free upgraded version.
Prism Analytical Technologies Home Page