Methylmercury, MeHg, is highly toxic and is formed from inorganic mercury through the process of methylation. This occurs for example in the sea as well as in lakes and rivers, soils and sediments. Methylmercury is biomagnified in aquatic food chains meaning the concentration increases for each step in the food chain. Consequently, certain animals may have concentrations well over the levels in the surrounding environment. By consuming fish, methylmercury is transferrable to humans and this is the most significant source of methylmercury exposure to humans.
Methylmercury has historically been produced as part of manufacturing of for example acetaldehyde. The main anthropogenic source of methylmercury pollution today is through the burning of waste containing inorganic mercury. Additionally, methylmercury is generated when burning fossil fuels
ALS offers methylmercury analysis by GC-ICP-SFMS (Gas Chromatography coupled with ICP-SFMS). Testing for methylmercury is offered for:
For details see our packages.
ALS 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:
MORE INFORMATIONALS 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:
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.
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