GC/MS

Portable Gas Chromatograph / Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS) for Precision VOC Testing

During environmental investigations at properties with complex or widespread contamination issues, laboratory analysis can become quite costly. AEL combats this by using on-site testing for contaminants when feasible. On site testing works by analyzing large amounts of samples at the property in real time during the actual environmental investigation, thereby minimizing the number of samples needing to be sent for costly laboratory analysis. Further, if effectively incorporated into a project, on-site testing allows for enhanced decision making in real time while the environmental investigation is ongoing and maximizes the quantity and quality of information gathered during a single site visit. There are many contaminant classes which AEL can measure using on site testing, and one of the most common contaminants found at most industrial sites is volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Most consulting firms rely on gas detectors such as a photoionization detector (PID) for on-site testing of VOCs. However, gas detectors are a rudimentary screening device and cannot provide the confidence needed to determine if a sample is clean or contaminated. While AEL also uses gas detectors to measure VOCs, they will deploy additional and more accurate on-site testing in certain circumstances via their portable gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS). 

AEL’s portable GC/MS can sample air, water, or soil, and is specialized to reduce costs for projects which require moderate to large amounts of samples. Whether collecting a network of air and soil vapour samples in support of an indoor air quality assessment (IAQA), delineation sampling of a hot-spot of soil contamination, closure sampling of groundwater following a remedial intervention, or other applications requiring a significant quantity of samples, AEL’s on-site GC/MS can help to save time and money.

GC/MS Case Study at a Large Commercial Warehouse

Discover how AEL tackled VOC contamination in a large commercial warehouse in the Greater Toronto Area using a mobile GC/MS for real-time soil analysis to minimize our client’s operational disruptions and reduce project costs. Read more about our efficient approach to this environmental remediation project.