Northeast Analytical, Inc. Announces a Comprehensive Test Method for the Analysis of Caulking Materials for Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

NEA has developed an analytical technique that allows for the identification of PCB Aroclors as well as total PCBs with a reporting limit of 0.05 PPM in caulk. This comprehensive PCB caulk testing program is tailored to meet the needs of commercial builders, school districts, A/E firms, consulting engineering and testing firms.

Schenectady, NY (PRWEB) February 28, 2007 -- Northeast Analytical, Inc. (NEA), an independent testing laboratory specializing in high resolution PCB analysis, is pleased to announce a comprehensive PCB caulk testing program. NEA has developed an analytical technique that allows for the identification of PCB Aroclors as well as total PCBs with a reporting limit of 0.05 PPM in caulk.

With a growing interest from NYS schools for this analysis we felt that the development of an analysis that provides an accurate PCB total as well as Aroclor identification was crucial. "This would be of far greater use instead of a screening method that only delivers a greater than 50 PPM PCB present report" said Robert Wagner, President and Founder of NEA.

Buildings that were built and/or refurbished before 1977 may have used caulk to seal masonry joints and windows that contain PCB Aroclor 1254 and/or 1260. The Aroclors were used as a plasticizer and were added to the material to ease application and improve resiliency. The caulking material has been mainly used when there are dissimilar materials, like brick next to concrete, metal window framings, and roofing joints. School districts and public buildings are in a gray area when it comes to testing for PCBs. With many buildings being updated and refurbished the removal and disruption of caulk is probable. Currently there is no testing mandate for PCBs in caulk, like there are with lead and asbestos. The 50 PPM standard that is being used as a screening level is for EPA Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) hazardous waste disposal.

Commercial laboratories, like NEA, are put to the test when analyzing caulk matrix. Caulking material itself is made of several different polymer components, many of which can interfere with the extraction and detection of PCBs. Ann Casey, NEA's Sr. PCB Chemist, is in charge of method development for this program. "NEA's goal was to have a method that could give not only an accurate PCB total but could identify the Aroclors, down to 0.05 PPM a thousand times less than the screen method", said Casey. Several weeks were spent developing a methodology within the USEPA SW846-8082 guidance manual. The method developed removes the inferences from the caulk matrix that can mask the PCBs and make the measurement inaccurate. The short amount of time added onto the sample processing has given NEA and NEA's clients better results to make informed decisions about handling caulking materials.

NEA has analyzed caulk from buildings in NYS ranging from 0.2 PPM to 65,800 PPM and from buildings in Massachusetts ranging from 588 PPM to 337,000 PPM. NEA is a full-service independent laboratory certified by the NYS Department Health (ELAP) and the National Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (NELAP).

There is only one job at NEA, to provide the highest quality analytical testing available anywhere. Each analysis performed is a goal achieved for us, the customer, and the future of the environment.

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