TESTAMERICA'S PROJECT EXPERIENCE COVERS A BROAD SCOPE

TestAmerica has extensive experience with conducting analyses for long-term, large-scale programs that are overseen by the U.S. EPA, as well as for projects for individual EPA Regions. TestAmerica supports projects for the military through programs administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence.

• TestAmerica has analyzed thousands of ambient air samples from former Manufactured Gas Plant sites
• TestAmerica is the preferred laboratory for analyzing air samples for leading waste management companies
• TestAmerica is a leader in offering the lowest detection limits needed to meet Indoor Air Vapor Intrusion remediation goals

The following is a summary of industries that are supported by TestAmerica's air testing capabilities:

Selected Project Experience

Ambient Air Monitoring Project Approaches 20 Years

TestAmerica has been analyzing samples for nearly 20 years from one of the first major ambient air monitoring programs in the Houston, Texas, area. During this time, the laboratory has performed analyses on samples collected on EPA's National Sampling day, which occurs every 6 days. This project is part of a multi-site network that analyzes for more than 160 VOCs and metals in ambient air.

Ambient Air Monitoring at Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP) sites

TestAmerica is working with a large engineering firm that is performing perimeter air monitoring during remediation activities at former Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP) sites. Air samples are collected daily and analyzed for VOCs by Method TO-15, PAHs by Method TO-13A, and particulate matter by method PM-10. TestAmerica provides batch-certified canisters and 24-hour flow controllers as well as batch-certified polyurethane foam (PUF) cartridges and preconditioned quartz/glass fiber filters. All results are reported within 5 business days.

TestAmerica provided analytical laboratory support to a utility client for the remediation of contaminated soils. The remediation plan required a daily air perimeter-monitoring program due to the site's proximity to residential areas. TestAmerica assisted in the development of the project-specific QA Plan by providing technical input on laboratory issues. For this program, samples were collected in canisters and on PUF/XAD cartridges and quartz fiber filters. Ten samples for each analysis were collected per day, 7 days a week, for a total of over 7000 samples. Air analyses performed by TestAmerica included VOCs by Method TO-14A, PAHs by Method TO-13A, metals on filters by Method 6010B and particulate matter by method PM-10. Data deliverables included a client-specific Certificate of Analysis report, and results were reported within 1 to 7 calendar days from sample receipt (depending on the parameter).

Indoor Air Monitoring for Low-Level VOCs

For more than six years, TestAmerica has been the primary laboratory supporting a Vapor Intrusion monitoring program for residential buildings. This program is under the control of a state government agency and is therefore a highly visible project for both the client and TestAmerica. TestAmerica has set aside approximately 180 SUMMA canisters and flow controllers exclusively for use by this client. These canisters are supplied to the client on a weekly basis after being batch-screened for both SIM and SCAN modes of EPA Method TO-15. In addition, the laboratory is providing the client with a customized electronic data deliverable and full raw data packages as needed.

TestAmerica is currently supporting a high-profile project in California investigating indoor air Vapor Intrusion. Samples are collected in 6-liter SUMMA canisters from indoor and outdoor locations for both 24- and 8-hour time intervals to ensure that both seasonal and diurnal variations in sample concentrations are captured. TestAmerica worked with the client to determine a project-specific TO-15 SIM list that would meet risk-based criteria. TestAmerica has individually screened and analyzed more than 750 canisters from this site.

On-Site Analysis of VOCs by TO-15

TestAmerica provided on-site analytical support, including ambient air analysis, for the full-scale remediation of an USACE project in New England. TestAmerica analyzed approximately 25 air samples per day for a select list of VOCs via EPA Method TO-15. The laboratory QA/QC deliverables conformed to an EPA Level IV and supported a Tier II validation in accordance with Region I EPA Guidelines. Data results, along with a client-specific EDD, were submitted to the client within 18 hours of sample receipt. A final hard copy report including a brief narrative, summary of results, data results (CLP Form 1), summary of QC data (including CLP Form 3), analytical sequence form (CLP Form 8D), raw data, and Chain-of-Custody forms were provided on a weekly basis.

Soil Vapor Analysis for Corrective Measure Study

TestAmerica has been providing analytical services in support of a Corrective Measure Study at a site located in the Caribbean since 1999. Soil vapor and ambient air samples are being analyzed for acetone, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform and methylene chloride by EPA Method TO-15. TestAmerica has analyzed thousands of soil vapor and ambient air samples in support of this project. Samples from this site arrive 6 days a week and must be analyzed within 3 days from collection. Preliminary results are faxed within 48 hours of sample receipt.

World Trade Center

TestAmerica was awarded several large projects in support of the ambient air and ambient deposition monitoring of the Lower Manhattan area following the tragedy that occurred at the World Trade Center in 2001. The samples analyzed for these projects included ambient air, wipe, bulk dust, interior and exterior building materials, papers, carpet, and office furniture samples for a variety of organic parameters.

TestAmerica was chosen to perform this work based on its ability to handle the rigorous requirements of the program. These requirements included a large number of samples, the need for complex analyses including dioxins and furans, an expedited turnaround time for many of the samples, and the ability to supply the required sample collection media. This project involved the analyses of more than 5,000 samples of ambient air, wipes, and bulk dust.

The ambient air samples mainly consisted of the analysis of low- and high-volume PUF samples collected in or around the buildings surrounding the World Trade Center complex. The laboratory performed the analysis of several hundred PUF samples for dioxins and furans by High Resolution Gas Chromatography/High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). Many of the samples required a turnaround of less than 7 days from laboratory receipt. TestAmerica also performed the analysis of over 4,000 wipe samples in support of the Lower Manhattan cleanup operations. These samples were from the wiping of internal building surfaces for the collection of ambient deposition dust. The samples were analyzed for several organic parameters including PCB aroclors by GC/ECD, semi-volatiles by GC/MS, and dioxins and furans by HRGC/HRMS. The majority of the samples required the analysis of dioxins and furans, and many of them on an expedited turnaround time. TestAmerica also performed the analysis of more than 500 samples of bulk dust deposited on the internal surfaces of buildings. The samples were analyzed for dioxins and furans by HRGC/HRMS.

USACE Projects Require a Wide Range of Capability

Superfund Site

TestAmerica provided analytical services to a consulting engineer in support of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers program at a site in the southern United States. TestAmerica assisted with development of the project-specific QA Plan by providing technical input on laboratory issues. For this on-site incineration project, sample matrices included air in SUMMA canisters, PUFs with glass fiber filters, and quartz fiber filters. Air analyses performed by TestAmerica's laboratory included VOCs by Method TO-14A, PAHs by Method TO-13A and particulate matter by method PM-10. Data deliverables included a client-specific Certificate of Analysis report with a customized electronic data deliverable format. Results were reported within 7 calendar days from sample receipt.