Industrial hygiene
ALS has premier industrial hygiene laboratories throughout the world, providing analysis for a safer working environment.
Certain working environments present a higher number of safety hazards for employees. One of the safety hazards identified by OSHA and NIOSH is silica dust exposure during hydraulic fracturing.
Dusts containing crystalline forms of silica (quartz, cristobalite, and tridymite) may cause silicosis. Interferences occur in IR and visible spectrometry methods to give false values.
ALS locations hold accreditations relevant to their work and area of operation. Participation in NELAP, CALA, AIHA-LAP, DOD, various state and other programs is location - specific. Refer to Scopes of Accreditation in the Downloads section of this site for details relevant to each ALS location.
The Salt Lake City laboratory offers analysis for silica using NIOSH Method 7500 by X-Ray Diffraction. NIOSH Method 7500 is able to speciate the different crystalline forms of free silica and differentiate from most interferences in bulk or air filter samples.
- Amorphous silica does not interfere
- Secondary peaks may allow quantitation if interferences are present
- Silica interferences may be removed with acid pre-treatment
- Total weight and silica analyses may be done on same filter
We also offer complete Hydraulic Fracturing Kits, which include sampling and monitoring supplies, as well as optional analytical work.
For more information about our silica analysis, or our complete Hydraulic Fracturing Kits, please fill out the contact form above.
ALS can provide comprehensive analytical services in the areas of:
- Industrial Hygiene Monitoring
- Workplace Health and Safety
- Indoor Air Quality Evaluation
- Ambient Air Quality
We offer a large number of analytical packages with the most commonly requested being:
- Asbestos
- Metals
- Volatile Organic Compounds
- Formaldehyde
- Particulates
- Isocyanates
- Mold and microbiological

Air quality
ALS delivers comprehensive air quality testing services at environmental laboratories across the globe.

Isocyanate testing
Isocyanate exposure has been identified as a health hazard for both humans and animals.

Silica testing
ALS analyzes dusts that may contain crystalline forms of silica, which can cause silicosis.