STL’s Dr. Richard Burrows Speaks on Analytical Techniques for Perchlorate at ASTM Symposium

PRESS RELEASE

Date: March 29, 2006
For Immediate Release

Dr. Richard Burrows of Severn Trent Laboratories, Inc. (STL), a nationally recognized technical expert, demonstrated the effectiveness of different extraction techniques for perchlorate in food, at the ASTM Symposium, February 9, 2006, in Phoenix, AZ.

The ASTM Committee, D18 on Soil and Rock, sponsored the Symposium on Perchlorate: Exposures from Food and Environment. With the growing concern of contamination of the food supply, Corporate Director of Technical Services, Dr. Burrows said, “While very powerful techniques for perchlorate analysis have been developed, little work has been performed in order to show the effectiveness of different sample preparation methods.”

Chopping, pureeing, and freeze-drying have been extensively used in sample preparation. Dr. Burrows’ research compared these techniques and showed that pureeing vegetable-based foods is an efficient extraction method, with the added benefit of saving time and cost. Freeze-drying can be expensive in terms of time and labor and does not improve the recovery of native perchlorate.

ASTM International, originally known as the American Society for Testing and Materials ( ASTM ), is one of the largest voluntary standards development organizations in the world. ASTM is known for its best in class practices and use of innovative technology to help solve global standardization challenges.

Dr. Burrows has been an active ASTM member for 5 years. He has a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Bristol, England, and has over 23 years of experience in academic and commercial settings. He has supported the validation of EPA draft methods and is an associate member of the International Technology & Regulatory Commission Committee on Perchlorate. Dr. Burrows is responsible for ensuring continuous improvement in quality and productivity of all analyses and operating procedures for STL in the United States.

About STL

Severn Trent Laboratories, Inc. (STL) is the industry's leading environmental testing company. Operations in the United States include 31 laboratories, 23 Service Centers and QED Environmental Systems, Inc., the leading supplier of groundwater sampling equipment and remediation pumping systems. STL affiliates include the Aerotech P&K team, which brings together the capabilities of Aerotech Laboratories, Inc. and P&K Microbiology Services, Inc. STL employs over 2,300 people and has revenues in excess of $250 million.

For more information, contact:

Jim Miller
Vice President Business Development
Severn Trent Laboratories, Inc.
716-691-2600
Visit our website @ www.stl-inc.com