Laboratory Services
ERG’s NELAC-certified, state-of-the-art laboratory in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, is a nationally recognized leader in ambient air monitoring, analyses, and data characterization. For over 30 years, we have served as the lead support contractor for EPA’s National Monitoring Programs. Our air quality and mechanical engineers have designed and operated a wide variety of customized air monitoring networks on national, state, local, and tribal scales. Our analytical chemists perform both routine and highly complex analyses of environmental samples, specializing in measurements related to air emissions. Together, our engineers and chemists have extensive expertise developing, assessing, and optimizing methods for ambient, fugitive, area, and stationary source emissions measurements. For example, they have developed many of the methods that now serve as the nationally accepted approaches to air toxics and ozone precursor sampling and analysis. ERG’s Laboratory Services Group also provides a full suite of rapid response services—from program design to equipment deployment to training to risk assessment—to support air quality monitoring, measurement, and characterization during emergencies such as the Gulf Coast oil spill.
Routine and Non-Routine Analyses
- Hexavalent chromium—ASTM D7614 (NELAC-certified)
- Trace metals—Compendium Method IO 3.5 (NELAC-certified)
- VOCs/air toxics—Compendium Method TO-15 (NELAC-certified)
- SNMOCs/PAMS—ozone precursor methods
- SVOCs/PAHs—Compendium Method TO-13A (NELAC-certified)
- Aldehydes and ketones (carbonyl compounds)—Compendium Method TO-11A (NELAC-certified)
- Methane
- Gravimetric
- Custom target analytes
Air Monitoring Network Design and Operation
- Air monitoring program planning and operation
- Development and operation of specialized monitoring and measurement programs
- Custom target compound identification and quantification
- Custom data reports
- Comprehensive monitoring program reports
- NELAC certification for associated laboratory services
Exposure Investigation
- Study design, planning, and implementation
- Real-time monitoring/measurements
- Integrated sample collection and analysis
- Health risk determinations and recommendations
Emergency Response
- Design of emergency response monitoring programs
- Specialized sample collection and analytical support
- Rapid deployment and operation of specialized response equipment
- Training in the use of specialized response equipment
- Custom target compound identification and quantification
- Expedited data reporting
Methods Development, Evaluation, and Optimization
- Development of completely new monitoring/measurement methods
- Evaluation of emerging and existing monitoring/measurement methods
- Optimization of existing monitoring/measurement methods
- Specialized scientific equipment design and fabrication
- Method validation
Data Characterization and Statistical Assessment
- Trends analysis
- Risk assessment and evaluation
- Back trajectory determination
- Emissions-based risk assessment: source, area, and mobile
- Central tendency and data distribution statistical analysis
- Pollution rose analysis: air pollutant sources or mobile sources signatures
- Wind rose development
- Geographic information systems (GIS) application
