Clarkson University in New York purchases instruments for the identification and apportionment of air pollutants, as part of new environmental laboratory
Thermo Electron has sold three mass spectrometers to Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York, as part of the development of a new environmental laboratory.
The instruments are the Finnigan PolarisQ GC/MS, the X Series ICP-MS, and the Finnigan LCQ Advantage Max LC/MS.
The advanced capabilities of these instruments will provide more complete results pertaining to current research being conducted at the university on the chemical composition of particulate matter in the atmosphere, as well as supporting other research programmes across the university, claims Thermo.
These analyses will help state and local air quality regulatory agencies develop more efficient and effective air quality strategies with the least economic impact. Phillip Hopke, professor of chemical engineering at Clarkson University, commented, "We are very pleased to be working with Thermo to improve the science underlying source identification and apportionment of air pollutants, as well as providing critical inputs to the assessment of exposure and risk of people to potential pollution threats".
In the studies conducted at Clarkson, Thermo's mass spectrometers will help improve the quality of input data because of the instruments' ability to separate and identify individual compounds.
Typically, twenty percent of the compounds can be analysed using GC/MS.
Now, an additional 30% of the organic compounds can be resolved and identified using the tandem capabilities of the Finnigan PolarisQ.
The Finnigan LCQ Advantage Max will be used to analyse non-volatile compounds for the remainder of the total airborne particulate matter, enabling the scientist to better understand the chemistry produced in the observed compounds.
"The work of Dr Hopke and his team will provide critical information on air quality and potential pollutants in the atmosphere to the community," said Marc Casper, president of life and laboratory sciences at Thermo.
