Thermo Fisher Scientific Provides Enhanced Drinking Water Analysis in Compliance with US EPA Methods Using Comprehensive Environmental GC/MS Productivity Solutions

The GC/MS analysis of volatile organics in drinking water, according to US EPA Method 524.2, entails a number of analytical challenges, ranging from water handling to very low target compound concentrations. Traditionally a
25 mL purge volume has been used for purge and trap concentration prior to GC/MS analysis, however the best purging efficiency for polar compounds can be achieved using a 5 mL sample volume. This necessitates the use of a highly sensitive GC/MS system in order to achieve the required method detection limits (MDLs). This added sensitivity ensures rapid migration to EPA Method 524.3. In addition, another challenge is the analysis of drinking water for semi-volatile organics of varying polarities. However, using a surged splitless injection on a GC/MS can help laboratories achieve the MDLs required by US EPA Method 525.2.

These comprehensive online resources describe methods and instrumentation needed to successfully meet the quality control criteria of the respective EPA Methods while also generating the required MDLs. The Online Productivity Solutions transform the DSQT II system into a dedicated analyzer of volatile and semi-volatile organics in drinking water. This enables environmental laboratories to achieve 36 samples per 12 hour shift, greatly improving productivity. Additionally, these productivity solutions provide fast chromatography, with a short run time of 15 minutes, while achieving favourable operating conditions by balancing sample throughput, robustness and ease-of-use. These solutions also achieve excellent sensitivity and allow for the use of a 5 mL purge, achieving desirable purging efficiency in the analysis of volatile organics, making EPA Method 524.3 simple to implement.

The Online Productivity Solutions incorporate all of the consumables information needed to perform instrument validation. The electronic methods and How To Guide with Quick Start Guide can be automatically downloaded to a local computer directly from www.thermo.com/enviro. The GC/MS Productivity Solutions operate on easy-to-use Thermo Scientific EnviroLab Forms software platform, allowing novice users to be instantly productive. This productivity solution approach is designed to streamline laboratory setup and boost instrument efficiency, helping laboratories ensure that drinking water is clean and safe.

The applications of the 524 and 525 Environmental GC/MS Productivity Solutions are detailed in the online resource, designed to provide comprehensive free-of-charge methods and information on how to customize Thermo Scientific GC/MS systems for the appropriate US EPA method as well as how to validate and run each of the methods.

For further information on the Thermo Scientific 524 and 525 Environmental GC/MS Productivity Solutions or to obtain free-of-charge copies of the new application notes, please call 1-800-532-4752, email:
analyze@thermofisher.com or visit www.thermo.com/enviro

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About Thermo Fisher Scientific
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) is the world leader in serving science, enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. With 2008 revenues of $10.5 billion, we have approximately 34,000 employees and serve over 350,000 customers within pharmaceutical and biotech companies, hospitals and clinical diagnostic labs, universities, research institutions and government agencies, as well as environmental and industrial process control settings. Serving customers through two premier brands, Thermo Scientific and Fisher Scientific, we help solve analytical challenges from routine testing to complex research and discovery. Thermo Scientific offers customers a complete range of high-end analytical instruments as well as laboratory equipment, software, services, consumables and reagents to enable integrated laboratory workflow solutions. Fisher Scientific provides a complete portfolio of laboratory equipment, chemicals, supplies and services used in healthcare, scientific research, safety and education. Together, we offer the most convenient purchasing options to customers and continuously advance our technologies to accelerate the pace of scientific discovery, enhance value for customers and fuel growth for shareholders and employees alike. Visit www.thermofisher.com.

For further press information please contact: Celine Callender, The Scott Partnership, 1 Whiteside, Station Road, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire. CW4 8AA United Kingdom Tel: + 44 1477 539539 Fax: +44 1606 1477 539540 E-mail:
thermo@scottpr.com

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