Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products Challenges in Non-Conventional Matrices

Ask the Expert Webinar Series
August 18, 2011
1:30 P.M. EST


Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) represent a large subset of contaminants of emerging concern labeled as endocrine disruptors. The endocrine system is a balanced network of glands and hormones that regulates developmental activities such as growth, behavior, metabolism, intelligence, sexual development, and the ability to reproduce as well as many other functions. To date, many studies have characterized the PPCP contamination in rivers and lakes across the country, and as the effects of these contaminates are unfolding, researchers are looking beyond water ways for these chemicals.

TestAmerica continues to partner with public and private researchers looking for PPCPs as they pass from non-point sources into sensitive ecosystems. Our method development has expanded our PPCP testing capabilities into sediment and tissue samples to find these contaminants where endocrine disruption is occurring. Making the leap from testing water to more complex matrices requires solutions for increased matrix related interferences and extraction enhancements that effectively remove the target compounds from the sample. Our success with complex matrices is helping answer difficult questions where PPCP contamination may be lurking.

Register Now for the presentation

What do you know about the next wave of contaminants of emerging concern from the EPA?

TestAmerica is hosting its second webinar, Measurement of Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products in Complex Matrices on April 14 at 1:30PM EST. Dave Herbert, Business Development Manager at TestAmerica will be presenting on the impact of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCP’s) in our nations waterways.

Join us for the presentation and learn how TestAmerica's efforts in this emerging market go beyond the routine analysis of water by developing method capabilities to detect PPCPs in more complex matrices including waste water and sediments. Unlike typical water analyses, wastewater and sediments matrices contain high levels of organic materials and suspended solids, and require a more rigorous extraction process to identify and measure trace level PPCPs.

Click here to learn more about the presentation and register, space is limited.

Dust Sampling Methods and Equipment

Ask the Expert Question:
There are abandoned mine land sites in our area that are often used for recreational activities. These activities generate a great deal of dust. The sediments and mine wastes in these areas are potentially contaminated with heavy metals and could put people using these public areas at risk. Can you provide any information on methods to sample the dust? Also, where can I obtain the equipment to do the sampling?

Experts Response:
There are several considerations for deciding upon how to approach monitoring the dust.

The first consideration is: what will you compare your data to with regard to health standards or risk criteria? The answer will help to define how you will collect the samples. For example, it may make sense to compare your results to the National Air Quality Standard for the particular heavy metals contamination present, and/or the PM10 standard for Total Particulate. Some counties in the US even have their own ambient air quality criteria.

Your choice of criteria will dictate how the samples should be collected; the detection levels required and for what time period the samples must be collected. As an example, the National Air Quality Standard for Lead requires that a sample be collected for a 24 hour period.

A second consideration is: do you have a source of electrical power, or will it be necessary to use sampling equipment that is battery powered? Battery powered equipment may pose a problem if your sampling period must cover 24 hours.

TestAmerica does have air sampling pumps available for clients depending upon your sampling criteria. Click here to contact our expert, Mike McGee to inquire about the equipment and methods available.

View Mike McGee's Experts profile