What qualifications do the Air Quality Sciences (AQS) laboratories hold?
Our microbial and chemistry laboratories focus exclusively on indoor air quality (IAQ), and our experience spans nearly a quarter of a century across 40 states and all seven continents. With comprehensive databases of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other pollutants at our fingertips, our veteran chemists can quickly, easily and accurately identify VOCs and other pollutants.
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hat quality measures does AQS use?
Accuracy and reproducibility are integral to all AQS services. AQS follows a well-defined quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program, which ensures the integrity of all data obtained during product evaluation and pollutant measurement studies. The QA/QC program encompasses all facets of laboratory analysis and environmental chamber testing.
In addition, we participate in and/or follow the guidelines of a number of nationally and internationally-recognized QA/QC programs, including:
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The AQS national database of MVOCs allows investigators to identify potential mold growth behind walls without destructive testing.
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ISO 17025:2005 (accredited since 2007)
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ISO 9001:2008 (registered since 1996)
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) quality assurance audits (environmental chamber laboratory)
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U.S. EPA’s Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Program (environmental chamber laboratory testing for office equipment and office furniture)
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Procedures for Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) as defined by 21 CFR Part 58 and the US EPA’s Contract Laboratory Program
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Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency (WASP) – an international proficiency program for airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) collected on solid sorbents and analysis by GC/MS
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Berufsgenossenschaftliches Institut fur Arbeitsschutz (BGIA) – an international round robin proficiency testing program for organic substances collected on solid sorbents and analyzed by thermal desorption GC/MS
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State of California’s Laboratory Proficiency Requirements (SCLPR) for the Carpet and Rug Institute’s Green Label Plus Program
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Corporate GLP training program
Quarterly QA/QC reports that document the accuracy of our standard laboratory VOC and aldehyde analyses are available upon request.
What VOCs can AQS detect?
Indoor air samples contain anywhere from 50 to 1,000 VOCs. AQS specializes in measuring these VOCs down to the part per billion. We can also collect and measure a broad range of VOCs at low levels, thanks to special sorbent tubes that we prepare and purify on-site. Over the years, we’ve collected and identified thousands of individual VOCs and recorded each of them in our in-house database.
What are AQS detection limits?
In the chemical laboratory, we can detect any individual VOC down to the low parts per billion (ppb) level — the industry’s most precise measurement. In general, most VOCs measure at the 0.5 ppb level, but in special cases, certain VOCs may be detected at an even lower level. Low-level detection is important for the observation of common indoor odorants and irritants.
What is the typical report format?
Reports identify all VOCs and pollutants along with the CAS registry numbers and air concentration in microgram per cubic meter (µg/m3) and part per billion. AQS prepares special reports as needed based on the service or per the customer’s request. Certain interpretation and database reports for air samples are available upon request.
What are turnaround times for laboratory services?
Most standard VOC and formaldehyde analyses ― both dynamic and passive ― are available within five to seven working days once the products arrive at the laboratory. Turnaround time for large projects will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Most chemical analyses are available in five business days.
For more information, call 770-933-0638 and ask to speak with our Laboratory Services team, or e-mail info@aqs.com.