If you’ve collected an air sample and want to know what chemicals are present, the next step is s...
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| 5 CURRENT | bhamster |
November 13, 2020 15:29
| about 4 years ago
If you’ve collected an air sample and want to know what chemicals are present, the next step is sending the sample to a lab for analysis. Your grab sample might be contained in a Tedlar bag (using a bucket monitor) or in a canister, for example. You can learn more about grab samples on this air sampling page and in this section on “Types of samples.”
We’ve collected some resources and guidance on lab analysis below, focusing on air grab samples. You’ll find:
Much of the guidance here was drawn from two excellent resources: the original Bucket Brigade Manual from Communities for a Better Environment, and Statistics for Action air quality resources.
How will the lab analyze your air sample?The methods and equipment that the lab will use to analyze your sample will depend on the chemicals you want to detect and the kind of container holding the sample. Example 1: To detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a grab sample, many labs in the US use methods described within EPA method TO-15. The testing equipment for this method applies gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as complementary ways to determine which VOCs are in the sample and at what amount. The gas chromatographer separates the air sample into individual components, while the mass spectrometer identifies the chemical makeup of each component. For an air sample in a Tedlar bag, a special fitting connects the GC-MS equipment to the sample bag. Not all environmental labs have this capability, and may accept air samples in canisters instead. Example 2: Detecting sulfur compounds in an air sample uses different methods. Standard methods include ASTM D5504 and EPA method 15/16. A gas chromatographer (GC) that separates the different components of the air sample is paired with a device that detects sulfur compounds. Example devices you might see described include a sulfur chemiluminescence detector (SCD) or flame photometric detector (FPD). The sampling container shouldn’t have any metal exposed to the sample, as sulfur may react with the metal surface. Tedlar bags should have plastic fittings and canisters should be lined with a non-reactive material.
Finding an environmental lab to analyze your sampleThe environmental labs and specific US locations listed in the table below are capable of testing air samples collected in Tedlar bags.
You could also contact local or state environmental agencies and ask them if they recommend any labs or have a list of labs they’d be willing to share. If you know of additional commercial, university, or other labs that can analyze samples in Tedlar bags, please edit this wiki and add it to the table!
Questions to ask the testing labThe chemicals that labs can test for and the methods they use will vary from lab to lab, and certifications will vary between states. Below are some example questions you might consider asking a lab to determine if they can meet your project’s particular needs.
What compounds can the lab test for?
What methods does the lab use to test air samples?
What is the lab’s certification or accreditation status?
How soon do you need to have the sample analyzed after collection?
How much will analysis cost?
Does the lab require duplicate samples?
When can you expect to receive results back?
Does the lab have experience working with individual community members? Labs will have different amounts of experience working with industry, government agencies, professional consultants, and individual community members. It’s important to ask questions that will help you to feel comfortable working with them. For example:
What supporting materials can the lab provide ahead of time?
Other preparation and considerationsShipping your sample: have a shipping carrier and location in mind ahead of time so you can send the sample to the lab quickly. You’ll likely need to use overnight shipping to get the sample to the lab well within the holding time (see above).
Getting your lab results backThe lab will send you a report stating the name and amount of chemicals found in your sample. What these results mean isn’t always obvious!
Community questions about air sample analysisHave others in the Public Lab community asked a question similar to yours? Do you have a question to ask or answer to offer? Check out and post questions below. [questions:air-lab-testing] Do you have any other tips or experiences to share for air sample analysis? Please edit this wiki page or post a research note! Follow the bucket monitor on Public LabThis post is part of the Bucket Monitor project. For more information, see our introduction and project overview. Subscribe to the tag "bucket-monitor" to get updates when we post new material. |
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| 4 | bhamster |
November 13, 2020 15:17
| about 4 years ago
If you’ve collected an air sample and want to know what chemicals are present, the next step is sending the sample to a lab for analysis. Your grab sample might be contained in a Tedlar bag (using a bucket monitor) or in a canister, for example. You can learn more about grab samples on this air sampling page and in this section on “Types of samples.”
We’ve collected some resources and guidance on lab analysis below, focusing on air grab samples. You’ll find:
Much of the guidance here was drawn from two excellent resources: the original Bucket Brigade Manual from Communities for a Better Environment, and Statistics for Action air quality resources.
How will the lab analyze your air sample?The methods and equipment that the lab will use to analyze your sample will depend on the chemicals you want to detect and the kind of container holding the sample. Example 1: To detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a grab sample, many labs in the US use methods described within EPA method TO-15. The testing equipment for this method applies gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as complementary ways to determine which VOCs are in the sample and at what amount. The gas chromatographer separates the air sample into individual components, while the mass spectrometer identifies the chemical makeup of each component. For an air sample in a Tedlar bag, a special fitting connects the GC-MS equipment to the sample bag. Not all environmental labs have this capability, and may accept air samples in canisters instead. Example 2: Detecting sulfur compounds in an air sample uses different methods. Standard methods include ASTM D5504 and EPA method 15/16. A gas chromatographer (GC) that separates the different components of the air sample is paired with a device that detects sulfur compounds. Example devices you might see described include a sulfur chemiluminescence detector (SCD) or flame photometric detector (FPD). The sampling container shouldn’t have any metal exposed to the sample, as sulfur may react with the metal surface. Tedlar bags should have plastic fittings and canisters should be lined with a non-reactive material.
Finding an environmental lab to analyze your sampleThe environmental labs and specific US locations listed in the table below are capable of testing air samples collected in Tedlar bags.
You could also contact local or state environmental agencies and ask them if they recommend any labs or have a list of labs they’d be willing to share. If you know of additional commercial, university, or other labs that can analyze samples in Tedlar bags, please edit this wiki and add it to the table!
Questions to ask the testing labThe chemicals that labs can test for and the methods they use will vary from lab to lab, and certifications will vary between states. Below are some example questions you might consider asking a lab to determine if they can meet your project’s particular needs.
What compounds can the lab test for?
What methods does the lab use to test air samples?
What is the lab’s certification or accreditation status?
How soon do you need to have the sample analyzed after collection?
How much will analysis cost?
Does the lab require duplicate samples?
When can you expect to receive results back?
Does the lab have experience working with individual community members? Labs will have different amounts of experience working with industry, government agencies, professional consultants, and individual community members. It’s important to ask questions that will help you to feel comfortable working with them. For example:
What supporting materials can the lab provide ahead of time?
Other preparation and considerationsShipping your sample: have a shipping carrier and location in mind ahead of time so you can send the sample to the lab quickly. You’ll likely need to use overnight shipping to get the sample to the lab well within the holding time (see above).
Getting your lab results backThe lab will send you a report stating the name and amount of chemicals found in your sample. What these results mean isn’t always obvious!
Community questions about air sample analysisHave others in the Public Lab community asked a question similar to yours? Do you have a question to ask or answer to offer? Check out and post questions below. [questions:air-lab-testing] Do you have any other tips or experiences to share for air sample analysis? Please edit this wiki page or post a research note! Follow the bucket monitor on Public LabThis post is part of the Bucket Monitor project. For more information, see our introduction and project overview. Subscribe to the tag "bucket-monitor" to get updates when we post new material. |
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| 3 | bhamster |
November 12, 2020 15:05
| about 4 years ago
If you’ve collected an air sample and want to know what chemicals are present, the next step is sending the sample to a lab for analysis. Your grab sample might be contained in a Tedlar bag (using a bucket monitor) or in a canister, for example. You can learn more about grab samples on this air sampling page and in this section on “Types of samples.”
We’ve collected some resources and guidance on lab analysis below, focusing on air grab samples. You’ll find:
Much of the guidance here was drawn from two excellent resources: the original Bucket Brigade Manual from Communities for a Better Environment, and Statistics for Action air quality resources.
How will the lab analyze your air sample?The methods and equipment that the lab will use to analyze your sample will depend on the chemicals you want to detect and the kind of container holding the sample. Example 1: To detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a grab sample, many labs in the US use methods described within EPA method TO-15. The testing equipment for this method applies gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as complementary ways to determine which VOCs are in the sample and at what amount. The gas chromatographer separates the air sample into individual components, while the mass spectrometer identifies the chemical makeup of each component. For an air sample in a Tedlar bag, a special fitting connects the GC-MS equipment to the sample bag. Not all environmental labs have this capability, and may accept air samples in canisters instead. Example 2: Detecting sulfur compounds in an air sample uses different methods. Standard methods include ASTM D5504 and EPA method 15/16. A gas chromatographer (GC) that separates the different components of the air sample is paired with a device that detects sulfur compounds. Example devices you might see described include a sulfur chemiluminescence detector (SCD) or flame photometric detector (FPD). The sampling container shouldn’t have any metal exposed to the sample, as sulfur may react with the metal surface. Tedlar bags should have plastic fittings and canisters should be lined with a non-reactive material.
Finding an environmental lab to analyze your sampleThe environmental labs and specific US locations listed in the table below are capable of testing air samples collected in Tedlar bags.
You could also contact local or state environmental agencies and ask them if they recommend any labs or have a list of labs they’d be willing to share. If you know of additional commercial, university, or other labs that can analyze samples in Tedlar bags, please edit this wiki and add it to the table!
Questions to ask the testing labThe chemicals that labs can test for and the methods they use will vary from lab to lab, and certifications will vary between states. Below are some example questions you might consider asking a lab to determine if they can meet your project’s particular needs.
What compounds can the lab test for?
What methods does the lab use to test air samples?
What is the lab’s certification or accreditation status?
How soon do you need to have the sample analyzed after collection?
How much will analysis cost?
Does the lab require duplicate samples?
When can you expect to receive results back?
Does the lab have experience working with individual community members? Labs will have different amounts of experience working with industry, government agencies, professional consultants, and individual community members. It’s important to ask questions that will help you to feel comfortable working with them. For example:
What supporting materials can the lab provide ahead of time?
Other preparation and considerationsShipping your sample: have a shipping carrier and location in mind ahead of time so you can send the sample to the lab quickly. You’ll likely need to use overnight shipping to get the sample to the lab well within the holding time (see above).
Getting your lab results backThe lab will send you a report stating the name and amount of chemicals found in your sample. What these results mean isn’t always obvious!
Community questions about air sample analysisHave others in the Public Lab community asked a question similar to yours? Do you have a question to ask or answer to offer? Check out and post questions below. [questions:air-lab-testing] Do you have any other tips or experiences to share for air sample analysis? Please edit this wiki page or post a research note! Follow the bucket monitor on Public LabThis post is part of the Bucket Monitor project. For more information, see our introduction and project overview. Subscribe to the tag "bucket-monitor" to get updates when we post new material. |
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| 2 | bhamster |
November 10, 2020 23:24
| about 4 years ago
If you’ve collected an air sample and want to know what chemicals are present, the next step is sending the sample to a lab for analysis. Your grab sample might be contained in a Tedlar bag (using a bucket monitor) or in a canister, for example. You can learn more about grab samples on this air sampling page and in this section on “Types of samples.”
We’ve collected some resources and guidance on lab analysis below, focusing on air grab samples. You’ll find:
Much of the guidance here was drawn from two excellent resources: the original Bucket Brigade Manual from Communities for a Better Environment, and Statistics for Action air quality resources.
How will the lab analyze your air sample?The methods and equipment that the lab will use to analyze your sample will depend on the chemicals you want to detect and the kind of container holding the sample. Example 1: To detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a grab sample, many labs in the US use methods described within EPA method TO-15. The testing equipment for this method applies gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as complementary ways to determine which VOCs are in the sample and at what amount. The gas chromatographer separates the air sample into individual components, while the mass spectrometer identifies the chemical makeup of each component. For an air sample in a Tedlar bag, a special fitting connects the GC-MS equipment to the sample bag. Not all environmental labs have this capability, and may accept air samples in canisters instead. Example 2: Detecting sulfur compounds in an air sample uses different methods. Standard methods include ASTM D5504 and EPA method 15/16. A gas chromatographer (GC) that separates the different components of the air sample is paired with a device that detects sulfur compounds. Example devices you might see described include a sulfur chemiluminescence detector (SCD) or flame photometric detector (FPD). The sampling container shouldn’t have any metal exposed to the sample, as sulfur may react with the metal surface. Tedlar bags should have plastic fittings and canisters should be lined with a non-reactive material.
Finding an environmental lab to analyze your sampleThe environmental labs and specific US locations listed in the table below are capable of testing air samples collected in Tedlar bags.
You could also contact local or state environmental agencies and ask them if they recommend any labs or have a list of labs they’d be willing to share. If you know of additional commercial, university, or other labs that can analyze samples in Tedlar bags, please edit this wiki and add it to the table!
Questions to ask the testing labThe chemicals that labs can test for and the methods they use will vary from lab to lab, and certifications will vary between states. Below are some example questions you might consider asking a lab to determine if they can meet your project’s particular needs.
What compounds can the lab test for?
What methods does the lab use to test air samples?
What is the lab’s certification or accreditation status?
How soon do you need to have the sample analyzed after collection?
How much will analysis cost?
Does the lab require duplicate samples?
When can you expect to receive results back?
Does the lab have experience working with individual community members? Labs will have different amounts of experience working with industry, government agencies, professional consultants, and individual community members. It’s important to ask questions that will help you to feel comfortable working with them. For example:
What supporting materials can the lab provide ahead of time?
Other preparation and considerationsShipping your sample: have a shipping carrier and location in mind ahead of time so you can send the sample to the lab quickly. You’ll likely need to use overnight shipping to get the sample to the lab well within the holding time (see above).
Getting your lab results backThe lab will send you a report stating the name and amount of chemicals found in your sample. What these results mean isn’t always obvious!
Community questions about air sample analysisHave others in the Public Lab community asked a question similar to yours? Do you have a question to ask or answer to offer? Check out and post questions below. [questions:air-lab-testing] Do you have any other tips or experiences to share for air sample analysis? Please edit this wiki page or post a research note! Follow the bucket monitor on Public LabThis post is part of the Bucket Monitor project. For more information, see our introduction and project overview. Subscribe to the tag "bucket-monitor" to get updates when we post new material. |
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| 1 | bhamster |
November 10, 2020 23:21
| about 4 years ago
If you’ve collected an air sample and want to know what chemicals are present, the next step is sending the sample to a lab for analysis. Your grab sample might be contained in a Tedlar bag (using a bucket monitor) or in a canister, for example. You can learn more about grab samples on this air sampling page and in this section on “Types of samples.”
We’ve collected some resources and guidance on lab analysis below, focusing on air grab samples. You’ll find:
Much of the guidance here was drawn from two excellent resources: the original Bucket Brigade Manual from Communities for a Better Environment, and Statistics for Action air quality resources.
How will the lab analyze your air sample?The methods and equipment that the lab will use to analyze your sample will depend on the chemicals you want to detect and the kind of container holding the sample. Example 1: To detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a grab sample, many labs in the US use methods described within EPA method TO-15. The testing equipment for this method applies gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as complementary ways to determine which VOCs are in the sample and at what amount. The gas chromatographer separates the air sample into individual components, while the mass spectrometer identifies the chemical makeup of each component. For an air sample in a Tedlar bag, a special fitting connects the GC-MS equipment to the sample bag. Not all environmental labs have this capability, and may accept air samples in canisters instead. Example 2: Detecting sulfur compounds in an air sample uses different methods. Standard methods include ASTM D5504 and EPA method 15/16. A gas chromatographer (GC) that separates the different components of the air sample is paired with a device that detects sulfur compounds. Example devices you might see described include a sulfur chemiluminescence detector (SCD) or flame photometric detector (FPD). The sampling container shouldn’t have any metal exposed to the sample, as sulfur may react with the metal surface. Tedlar bags should have plastic fittings and canisters should be lined with a non-reactive material.
Finding an environmental lab to analyze your sampleThe environmental labs and specific US locations listed in the table below are capable of testing air samples collected in Tedlar bags.
You could also contact local or state environmental agencies and ask them if they recommend any labs or have a list of labs they’d be willing to share. If you know of additional commercial, university, or other labs that can analyze samples in Tedlar bags, please edit this wiki and add it to the table!
Questions to ask the testing labThe chemicals that labs can test for and the methods they use will vary from lab to lab, and certifications will vary between states. Below are some example questions you might consider asking a lab to determine if they can meet your project’s particular needs.
What compounds can the lab test for?
What methods does the lab use to test air samples?
What is the lab’s certification or accreditation status?
How soon do you need to have the sample analyzed after collection?
How much will analysis cost?
Does the lab require duplicate samples?
When can you expect to receive results back?
Does the lab have experience working with individual community members? Labs will have different amounts of experience working with industry, government agencies, professional consultants, and individual community members. It’s important to ask questions that will help you to feel comfortable working with them. For example:
What supporting materials can the lab provide ahead of time?
Other preparation and considerationsShipping your sample: have a shipping carrier and location in mind ahead of time so you can send the sample to the lab quickly. You’ll likely need to use overnight shipping to get the sample to the lab well within the holding time (see above).
Getting your lab results backThe lab will send you a report stating the name and amount of chemicals found in your sample. What these results mean isn’t always obvious!
Community questions about air sample analysisHave others in the Public Lab community asked a question similar to yours? Do you have a question to ask or answer to offer? Check out and post questions below. [questions:air-lab-testing] Do you have any other tips or experiences to share for air sample analysis? Please edit this wiki page or post a research note! Follow the bucket monitor on Public LabThis post is part of the Bucket Monitor project. For more information, see our introduction and project overview. Subscribe to the tag "bucket-monitor" to get updates when we post new material. |
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| 0 | bhamster |
November 10, 2020 23:15
| about 4 years ago
If you’ve collected an air sample and want to know what chemicals are present, the next step is sending the sample to a lab for analysis. Your grab sample might be contained in a Tedlar bag (using a bucket monitor) or in a canister, for example. You can learn more about grab samples on this air sampling page and in this section on “Types of samples.”
We’ve collected some resources and guidance on lab analysis below, focusing on air grab samples. You’ll find:
Much of the guidance here was drawn from two excellent resources: the original Bucket Brigade Manual from Communities for a Better Environment, and Statistics for Action air quality resources.
How will the lab analyze your air sample?The methods and equipment that the lab will use to analyze your sample will depend on the chemicals you want to detect and the kind of container holding the sample. Example 1: To detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a grab sample, many labs in the US use methods described within EPA method TO-15. The testing equipment for this method applies gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as complementary ways to determine which VOCs are in the sample and at what amount. The gas chromatographer separates the air sample into individual components, while the mass spectrometer identifies the chemical makeup of each component. For an air sample in a Tedlar bag, a special fitting connects the GC-MS equipment to the sample bag. Not all environmental labs have this capability, and may accept air samples in canisters instead. Example 2: Detecting sulfur compounds in an air sample uses different methods. Standard methods include ASTM D5504 and EPA method 15/16. A gas chromatographer (GC) that separates the different components of the air sample is paired with a device that detects sulfur compounds. Example devices you might see described include a sulfur chemiluminescence detector (SCD) or flame photometric detector (FPD). The sampling container shouldn’t have any metal exposed to the sample, as sulfur may react with the metal surface. Tedlar bags should have plastic fittings and canisters should be lined with a non-reactive material.
Finding an environmental lab to analyze your sampleThe environmental labs and specific US locations listed in the table below are capable of testing air samples collected in Tedlar bags.
You could also contact local or state environmental agencies and ask them if they recommend any labs or have a list of labs they’d be willing to share. If you know of additional commercial, university, or other labs that can analyze samples in Tedlar bags, please edit this wiki and add it to the table!
Questions to ask the testing labThe chemicals that labs can test for and the methods they use will vary from lab to lab, and certifications will vary between states. Below are some example questions you might consider asking a lab to determine if they can meet your project’s particular needs.
What compounds can the lab test for?
What methods does the lab use to test air samples?
What is the lab’s certification or accreditation status?
How soon do you need to have the sample analyzed after collection?
How much will analysis cost?
Does the lab require duplicate samples?
When can you expect to receive results back?
Does the lab have experience working with individual community members? Labs will have different amounts of experience working with industry, government agencies, professional consultants, and individual community members. It’s important to ask questions that will help you to feel comfortable working with them. For example:
What supporting materials can the lab provide ahead of time?
Other preparation and considerationsShipping your sample: have a shipping carrier and location in mind ahead of time so you can send the sample to the lab quickly. You’ll likely need to use overnight shipping to get the sample to the lab well within the holding time (see above).
Getting your lab results backThe lab will send you a report stating the name and amount of chemicals found in your sample. What these results mean isn’t always obvious!
Community questions about air sample analysisHave others in the Public Lab community asked a question similar to yours? Do you have a question to ask or answer to offer? Check out and post questions below. [questions:air-lab-testing] Do you have any other tips or experiences to share for air sample analysis? Please edit this wiki page or post a research note! Follow the bucket monitor on Public LabThis post is part of the Bucket Monitor project. For more information, see our introduction and project overview. Subscribe to the tag "bucket-monitor" to get updates when we post new material. |
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