Arsenic occurs in organic and inorganic forms. Organic arsenic, the predominant form present in seafood, is not particularly harmful. Inorganic arsenic however is highly toxic and long-term exposure may cause skin lesions or cancer. For this reason, arsenic speciation analysis is relevant as the total arsenic concentration not necessarily reflect the exposure to toxic, inorganic arsenic. The main exposure sources to inorganic arsenic include contaminated water, food, industrial pollution or the smoking of tobacco.
Contaminated groundwater is a problem in many countries. Not only will this affect people drinking contaminated water but it will also lead to elevated concentrations in irrigated plants and food crops which in turn may be consumed by humans.
ALS offer analysis of inorganic arsenic compounds by IC-HG-ICPMS. Samples are analyzed by ion chromatography with post column hydride generation and detection by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The use of hydride generation provides significantly improved sensitivity and thus better reporting limits (LOQ). ALS has analytical methods for testing for inorganic arsenic compounds for a variety of sample types:
ALS offers analytical packages including the main inorganic arsenic species found below. The individual species reported will depend on the sample matrix.
For details see our packages.
ALS offers methylmercury analysis by GC-ICP-SFMS (Gas Chromatography coupled with ICP-SFMS). Testing for methylmercury is offered for: Water, soils, sediment and sludge, biota (fish, shellfish, plants etc.), blood, serum, and plasma.
MORE INFORMATIONALS offers analysis of organotin compounds mainly by GC- ICP-SFMS (Gas Chromatography coupled with ICP-SFMS). The testing for organotin compounds is accredited for water, soil, sediment, sludge and biota but can also be offered for electronics, textiles, paper, pulp and more. ALS is also proud to offer our clients low LOQ testing of OTC compounds, down to 0.0002 mg/kg, or 0.2µg/kg, dry weight for solid samples.
MORE INFORMATIONALS offer analysis of inorganic selenium compounds by IC-HG-ICPMS. Samples are analyzed by ion chromatography with post column hydride generation and detection by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The use of hydride generation provides significantly improved sensitivity and thus better reporting limits (LOQ). ALS has analytical methods for testing for inorganic selenium compounds for a variety of sample types:
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