| Acrylamide in Roasted Coffees |
A large coffee shop operating numerous franchises nationwide had imported exotic coffee from various international points in order to offer consumers... |
| Allergens in Food |
Milk Contamination in Milk-free Products
A manufacturer of tofu desserts was concerned that their co-packaging facility had inadvertently introduced... |
| Animal Lung Tissue Study |
For the past few years, EMSL has been part of an ongoing research program sponsored by the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of... |
| Antibacterial Activity |
Antibacterial activity of semiconducting photocatalytic materials
A European company was interested in testing their newly developed ceramic for... |
| Antimicrobial Product Development |
We have been working very closely with a client over the past few months to evaluate the performance of antimicrobials in foam and vinyl. This... |
| Antimicrobial Product Testing |
An existing EMSL client contact us to test their antimicrobial product for a new market they were hoping to break into. The product had not... |
| Asbestos - Onsite Laboratory Services |
EMSL Analytical, Inc. provides mobile laboratory services at a large asbestos project in the northwestern United States. Work performed over the past... |
| Asbestos - World Trade Center |
EMSL Analytical, Inc. has been providing extensive asbestos, lead, silica and man-made vitrious fiber (MMVF) analysis at the World Trade Center in... |
| Asbestos in Automotive Parts |
Several ATV, Snowmobile and automobile manufacturers had to recall thousands of vehicles for violating the asbestos ban in Australia, Europe and New... |
| Asbestos in Cosmetics |
Over the last few years cosmetics and talc powders have come under significant scrutiny due to the presences of asbestos. Laboratory analysis of... |
| Asbestos in Crayons |
EMSL Analytical, Inc. has worked with consumers and advocacy groups on detection of asbestos in crayons. The asbestos present in some crayons are... |
| Asbestos in Metavolcanic Rock |
Client is investigating the extent of Naturally Occurring Asbestos (NOA) contamination in metavolcanic rock (amphibolite schist) at a school... |
| Asbestos in Tree Bark |
A local community was concerned that asbestos may be present in the bark of common coniferous trees. The assertion was made that the... |
| Asbestos Toxicological Studies |
EMSL conducted high level morphological and chemical characterization of various asbestiform minerals for the USEPA. Samples were supplied by USEPA... |
| Biological - Mold in Hospital |
A hospital was experiencing an increased occurrence of infections in one of their intensive care units. EMSL was hired to determine the cause of the... |
| Cause Of Discoloration of Natural Salt Product |
Cause of Discoloration of Natural Salt Product
Our client contacted us to help them determine the source of a discoloration found in one of their... |
| Ceiling tiles developing a line of mold resistant tiles |
A manufacturer of ceiling tiles was developing a line of microbial (mold) resistant tiles and needed a 3rd-party independent lab to test various... |
| Chemical odor after old flooring removal |
Client had a building with a chemical odor after old flooring removal and new carpet installation. TO-15 air testing in the space showed heavy... |
| Chemical Odor Identification |
Carpet squares applied to a concrete floor that was previously tiled acquired a bad chemical odor. EMSL analyzed air samples in the room, and... |
| Clandestine Drug Labs Cleanup |
A large contract lab was providing services to Certified Home Inspection Companies after homes were deemed to be unsafe due to drug residues on... |
| Computer Failures (Room Specific) |
A data center was experiencing repeated computer failures in a certain room in the building. Specialists were able to pinpoint the failure type as... |
| Construction Worker's Contaminated Clothes |
A worker was asked to haul materials he later was told may have contained asbestos. Since the materials were already disposed of and no air samples... |
| Contaminant Identification in Soap |
A soap bar manufacturer was encountering manufacturing problems; small red and yellow spots, which were not part of the design, kept appearing on the... |
| Contamination in Powder Coating |
One of our clients was experiencing contamination during in their polymer powder coating. Through laboratory analysis, EMSL was able to... |
| Contamination Testing - Manufactured Ice Cream Scoops |
A manufacturer of ice cream scoops found white powder within sealed bags containing their product.
The ice cream scoops were found to be... |
| Corrosion - Airplane Wings on Jet Fighter |
Pieces of airplane wings from jet fighters, based on aircraft carriers, were brought to EMSL to compare the degree of corrosion following the... |
| Dam Construction |
EMSL Analytical, Inc. provides laboratory services at a large Naturally Occurring Asbestos (NOA) construction project in California. Work performed... |
| Dam Reconstruction |
EMSL Analytical, Inc. provides laboratory services related to the re-construction of the Oroville Dam spillway in Northern California. This complex... |
| Dead Bed Bug Remnants Were Found in Dust Samples from Bed Room |
In recent years, bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) have become a big concern for homeowners and hotel travelers. The increasing activities of bed bugs are... |
| Degradation - Space Telescope Component |
A deterioration in the performance of a high precision optical component used in space telescope led to investigation of the aluminum thin film... |
| Discoloration on Walls |
Our client discovered a yellow discoloration on warehouse walls. Through laboratory analysis, EMSL was able to determine that the yellow material was... |
| Disinfectant Testing |
Hard Surface Disinfectant Testing
A company was developing an antimicrobial hard surface cleaner and needed preliminary tests performed on their... |
| DNA Testing - Barcoding Analysis Revealed the Origin of Construction Wood |
DNA Barcoding Analysis Revealed the Origin of Construction Wood
When repairing old buildings, the wood beams and supporting timbers often need to be... |
| DNA Testing - Pumpkin Seed Speciation |
DNA was extracted from the pumpkin seeds. Five microsatellite markers from plant chloroplast were used for genetic analysis. Except ccSSR-4... |
| Dry Plant Leaves-Marijuana Suspected in a Book Cleared by Plant DNA Barcode Analysis |
Pieces of dried plant leaves were found in a book carried by a high school student. The plant leaves were suspected to be marijuana. Samples were... |
| Effectiveness of Antibacterial Spray |
A client contacted EMSL to see if we could provide help to demonstrate the effectiveness of their antibacterial spray. They want to have as close to... |
| Employee Complaint – Difficulty Breathing |
Major airline had an office building at a major airport that was adjacent to their repair hangar. Office workers were complaining about having... |
| Erionite |
A client was concerned that a potential fibrous carcinogen, Erionite, was present in the asphalt road aggregate. Through the use of our... |
| Erionite Analysis |
EMSL Analytical, Inc. provides laboratory services on several large Erionite projects. Erionite is listed as a class I carcinogen by the IARC. Work... |
| European Reg Compliance - Mycotoxins in Ginger |
A beverage bottling company was interested in verifying that their source for Ginger was in compliance with European regs related to aflatoxins and... |
| Eye and Skin Irritation |
A parochial high school held an event in a gymnasium where attendees seated in one section of seats experienced severe eye and skin irritation,... |
| Failure Analysis - Automobile Brake Failure |
An automobile was involved in an accident and the driver claimed that he could not stop. Upon inspection by a mechanic it was determined that the... |
| Failure Analysis - Automotive Brackets |
Metal brackets used on certain automobiles were breaking. This could result in a potentially dangerous outcome if the vehicle is in operation at the... |
| Failure Analysis - Ceramic Sinks in Hotels |
A building contractor working on renovation on a large hotel in New York City encountered repeat installation failures of ceramic sinks produced by... |
| Failure Analysis - Water Treatment Plant |
A water treatment plant was experiencing excessive filter clogging on their influent lines. Analysis of the filter media by Polarized Light... |
| Fiber Releasability Study |
EMSL Analytical, Inc. provides laboratory services at a local Naturally Occurring Asbestos (NOA) and Erionite project in the southwestern United... |
| Fire Debris Analysis - Black Carbon/Soot |
Combustion-by-products/Fire debris analysis (Black carbon/soot, char, ash)
Fire insurance claims, especially due to the increasing wildfires... |
| Fish Species Are Identified by Fish DNA Barcode Analysis |
Fish meat authentication is important for food supply companies. When they purchase large quantities of meat they want to insure they receive what... |
| Food Authenticity & Contamination Identification |
Sandwich sample wrapped in a napkin was sent to the lab for DNA analysis for maggot or insect materials contamination. The DNA analysis... |
| Food Contamination Testing |
A client consumed a fast-food meal and felt sick. A colonoscopy procedure revealed metal fragments present in the colon. Metal fragments were also... |
| Food Testing - Bad Wax on Cheese |
EMSL was asked to perform wax analysis for a US cheese manufacturer that had packaged some cheese that required aging. After several... |
| Food Testing - Contamination on Pizza |
A piece of pizza was sent in for PCR analysis for rodent dropping. Both mouse and rat DNA were analyzed. Only rat DNA was presented as shown as a 167... |
| Food Testing - Development of a Better Crouton |
A client contacted EMSL Analytical, Inc. for help in their quest to develop a better crouton. EMSL Analytical, Inc. used GC/MS to determine... |
| Food Testing - Poor Noodle Quality |
A well-known soup manufacturer was having difficulty with a line of prepared soups. Their noodles would become too soft after cooking and... |
| Food Testing - Unknown Material in Apple Pie |
A client bought an apple pie at a famous fast-food restaurant. While eating, he found a “blob” of material that he suspected could be rat... |
| Foreign Object In Cooked Food |
Foreign Object in Cooked Food
One of our clients found a foreign object in a cooked food product. EMSL was able to determine that the material... |
| Forensic - Explosion of Tanker |
An explosion and subsequent fire in a cargo tanker caused the ship to sink along with its cargo of iron pellets. EMSL was asked to determine if... |
| Forensic - Motorcycle Headlight Failure |
A motorcycle was involved in an automobile accident that occurred after dark. EMSL was asked to determine if the headlight of the motorcycle... |
| Forensic Testing - Shots Fired at an Elementary School |
Bullets were fired at an elementary school. The projectiles penetrated the exterior walls and were acquired from within the building. The focus of... |
| Formaldehyde in Dental Implants |
A European biomedical company was working on developing a new polymer based material to be potentially used for dental fillings. The company was in... |
| Fungal Growth Resistance |
A paint product manufacturer was developing a new formulation and contacted EMSL to help determine whether the new product would resist fungal... |
| Fungus on Paint Product |
A paint product manufacturer contacted EMSL to determine whether his new formulation would resist fungal growth. EMSL recommended ASTM D5590, which... |
| Genotoxicity and Ecotoxicity |
A university research group from Canada needed to conduct testing on a novel nanofiber for genotoxicity and ecotoxicity. EMSL is one of the few... |
| Grey Dust On Windows In Old Building |
Grey Dust On Windows In Old Building
One of our clients wanted to identify an unusual build up of grey dust on a series of window from an old... |
| Identification and Source Determination of Powder Buildup at Different Locations |
One of our clients had a series of unknown powder building up on various locations from a manufacturing process. Through laboratory analysis, EMSL... |
| Identification of Black Tar-Like Substance |
Identification of Black Tar-Like Substance
One of our clients wanted to identify a black tar-like substance staining a carpet. EMSL has become an... |
| Identification of Foam Material Composition |
One of our clients needed to identify a type of foam they were using. Through laboratory analysis, EMSL was able to determine that the material was... |
| Identification of Foreign Material |
One of our clients had found foreign material in office spaces. Through laboratory analysis, EMSL was able to determine that the foreign... |
| Identification of Grey Powder in Facility |
Our client discovered large amounts of an unknown grey powder at their facility. Through laboratory analysis, EMSL was able to determine the identity... |
| Identification of Material Found On Equipment Valve |
Identification of Material Found on Equipment Valve
One of our clients discovered a clear crystalline material on one of their equipment valves.... |
| Identification of Materials Poured Down Drains |
An EMSL client wanted to test for unknown substances that were wrongfully poured down a municipal drain. Improper disposal of such material can lead... |
| Identification of Odor Causing Material |
Another testing laboratory sent us a sample of building material from an old building that was found during renovation because the material... |
| Identification of Powder on Fuel Pump |
Another testing laboratory sent us a sample of powder they found from a fuel pump. Through laboratory analysis, EMSL was able to determine the powder... |
| Identification of Purple Powder |
Our client discovered an unknown purple powder at their facility. Through laboratory analysis, EMSL was able to identify the purple powder as a... |
| Identification of Residue Forming on Parts |
One of our manufacturing clients needed to identify a residue forming on several of their parts used for clean room applications. Through laboratory... |
| Identification of Residue in Gas/Petroleum Pipeline |
A large petroleum/gas company periodically discovers various types of residue build up in their pipelines. Through laboratory analysis, EMSL is able... |
| Identification of Unknown Byproduct during Manufacturing Process |
A client of ours had a series of unknown ceramic byproducts from a manufacturing process. Through laboratory analysis, EMSL was able to determine the... |
| Identification of Unknown on Mechanical Equipment |
A client of ours, another analytical firm, needed to identify an unknown brownish-purple residue in some of their client’s of mechanical... |
| Identification Of White Substance In Heater Exchanger |
Unknown White Substance In Heater Exchanger
A client of ours found an unknown white substance found in a heat exchanger. EMSL was able to determine... |
| Identification of White Substance in Pharmaceutical Product |
A medical device company discovered an unknown white powder-like material in some of their liquid pharmaceutical products. Through laboratory... |
| Indoor Air Quality - Pepper Spray Contamination |
A client asked us to analyze for pepper spray. It turns out that a married couple had quite the marital spat and attacked each other with... |
| Indoor Air Quality - Respiratory Problems |
Respiratory problems were being experienced in a four-story post office building. EMSL requested air samples from the consultant hired to solve... |
| Industrial Hygiene - Engine Exhaust |
Two projects that we have recently completed (or in the process of completion), one at a Nashville Hospital Helipad and the other at an USPS facility... |
| Industrial Hygiene - New Carpet Odor in Homes |
A client recently asked us to analyze for a compound named 4-phenylcyclohexene. It turns out this compound is responsible for giving new carpet that... |
| Industrial Hygiene - Pesticides in Buildings |
We have been having inquiries about organophosphorus pesticides. Clients are being asked to sample in homes and businesses where clients have sprayed... |
| Industrial Hygiene - Sewer Gas Odor ID |
One of our workshop attendees wanted us to test for various ‘gaseous' components. He is working for a school district that has a cafeteria... |
| Industrial Hygiene - Stadium Construction Project |
We recently completed a project in support of the new Philadelphia Phillies Stadium construction project. Air quality was inadequate in the... |
| Inhalation Study |
EMSL Analytical, Inc. provided laboratory services and technical consultation for a National Toxicology Program project investigating asbestos... |
| Insulation Testing |
The Mississauga Laboratory was requested to test both batt insulation and loose fill insulation to determine the ability to support or resist fungal... |
| Insurance Claim - Spoiled Product |
A producer of cured meats needed to provide testing results to their insurance carrier as part of a claim for reimbursement. They were claiming the... |
| Interstate Construction |
EMSL Analytical, Inc. provides laboratory services at a large construction project in the southwestern United States. Work performed over the past... |
| Irritant in High School Gymnasium |
A high school hosted several events in their gymnasium over a weekend. The event on Saturday proceeded in exemplary fashion. During the next... |
| Latex Allergies In Workplace |
Healthcare workers in a facility were coming down with skin rashes and latex allergies were suspected. The facility had a policy in place to reduce... |
| Lead Paint - White Pigment Lead |
EMSL was asked to determine if the paint covering the woodwork of an apartment building contained a specific type of lead pigment, which would point... |
| Material Identification - Aluminum Corrosion |
The purpose of the analysis was to determine the identification of individual components related to corrosion. Possible corrosion was noticed on... |
| Material Identification - Coal/Fly Ash in Water |
The purpose of the analysis was to determine the presence of coal/fly ash in a water sample. The water was filtered and the residue on the filter was... |
| Material Identification - Corrosion of Whiskey Cans |
The purpose of the analysis was to identify the deposits in selected alcohol bottles and characterize scratches on the inside of aluminum cans. The... |
| Material Identification - Foreign Material Analysis |
The purpose of the analysis was to determine the identification of unknown particulate in two different samples. Sample 1contained a... |
| Material Identification - Mislabeled Chemical |
The purpose of the analysis was to determine the identification of the individual components from a potentially mislabeled product. The sample was... |
| Material Identification - Odorizing Plug-ins |
The purpose of the analysis was to determine the cause of darkening in an odorizing plug-in component. The plug-in liquid component contained unknown... |
| Material Identification - Residue on Needle |
The purpose of this analysis was to determine the identification of deposits on the tip of surgical needles. The samples in the as-received condition... |
| Material Identification in Mechanical Equipment |
A client of EMSL, another analytical firm, needed to identify an unknown brownish-purple residue in some of their customers' mechanical equipment.... |
| Melamine In Milk Chocolate |
An importer of milk chocolates was concerned about the inventory he had accumulated and wanted to verify that none was made with contaminated milk... |
| Microbial Activity |
Effects of a Fuel Additive on Microbial Activity in Diesel Fuel
A company had developed a fuel additive and needed to show that their... |
| Microbiological - Mycobacterium by MIDI GC |
We have recently completed projects where we were asked to analyze for Mycobacterium. We were able to use our MIDI GC system with great success. |
| Microbiological - Mycotoxins |
We have a new test to offer our clients. We can perform total trichothecene mycotoxins produced from Stachybotrys using an ELISA procedure.... |
| Microbiological - Mycotoxins in Smokeless Tobacco |
A series of smokeless tobacco products; snus, moist, dry, and loose leaf were under some question as to whether they could become a source for... |
| MRSA Microbial Efficacy Testing |
A client needed independent, 3rd-party testing performed on their bipolar ionization/cold plasma system. They wanted to see the efficacy specifically... |
| Mystery Fish Disease Identified |
A university medical center was concerned that their fish and fish eggs used for research were infected with some type of white microbial organism.... |
| Odorous Drywall - Chinese Drywall Syndrome |
Odorous drywall- AKA Chinese Drywall Syndrome
Chinese Drywall”, also called odorous gypsum wallboard, is an emerging issue in the IAQ... |
| Oxidation - Magnesium Oxide in Materials |
Magnesium (Mg) is a very active metal and fine Mg metal powders exposed to atmosphere will be oxidized to a certain degree. However, the amount of... |
| PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) DNA Sequencing - Bacteroides |
PCR is very busy these days at Cinnaminson. We recently were selected as a contract lab for one of the EPA Regions to analyze water samples for... |
| Plastics and Polymers - Patented Antimicrobial Compound |
An entrepreneur was in discussion with a Chinese company for the rights to market and sell their patented antimicrobial compound in... |
| Product Failure - Galvanized Coatings |
Metal is commonly coated with zinc (galvanized) to inhibit the formation of damaging rust. The thickness and uniformity of the coating can be the... |
| Product Testing - Counterfeiting Fraud |
A reputable company producing maintenance products for automobiles (metal polishing lotions, leather care) received complaints from their clients... |
| Product Testing - Light Transmission Through Glass |
A manufacturer of specialty glass containers needed to verify the effectiveness of coatings used to limit the transmission of light. The containers... |
| Product Testing - Transmission of Phthalates |
A US manufacturer of soft sided lunch pails requested EMSL to perform a saliva transfer study for phthalates. EMSL utilized GC/MS analysis for... |
| Quality Assurance - Raw Materials Testing |
Many companies send the material used in the production of specialized products to EMSL for Quality Assurance. For example; a major... |
| Raw Materials Testing - Mycotoxins |
Nivalenol and Aflatoxin B in malt for beverages - A major supplier of malt was concerned that a new source would not be able to meet their... |
| Raw Materials Testing - Nicotine and Tobacco |
A Canadian importer was interested in verifying the label claim of a shipment of imported flavored molasses. The molasses matrix is very complex and... |
| Raw Materials Testing - Red Dye |
A distributor of a nutritional supplement wanted to get a beverage they were marketing tested for red dye#40 which is permitted in food and check for... |
| Raw Materials Testing - Stainless Steel |
One of our clients is receiving a stainless steel water bottle product from a manufacturer in China. They are now being required to have... |
| Reddish Stains on White Marble Floor Tile |
A large beachfront resort recently installed expensive white marble floor tiles in several of their units as part of a renovation. Over time, large... |
| Research & Development - Allergen Study |
A university researcher contacted EMSL to help with a study they wanted to conduct. The researcher was studying intervention methods for different... |
| Rodent Droppings Have Been Analyzed by Detecting Rat-Mouse Specific DNA |
Rodent droppings can harbor pathogens and transmit them to humans. Sometimes it is hard to differentiate droppings from other materials or dirt.... |
| Safety Harness Fails on the Jobsite |
A safety device, known as a fall limiter, is meant to reduce the stress on a person in the event of a fall. Under normal circumstances a 220 pound... |
| Shelf Life Study - Chemotherapy Drugs |
A large Pharmaceutical Manufacturer was interested in learning about their extended shelf-life of an injectable chemotherapy formulation. The main... |
| Sick Building Syndrome - Bacteria from Pigeons |
Respiratory problems were being experienced in a four-story post office building. EMSL requested air samples from the consultant hired to solve the... |
| Smoke Damage Testing - Poultry Protein on Furniture |
Poultry protein residue on home furniture after smoke damage - An issue after a fire was raised as to whether articles exposed were clean after... |
| Soot and Carbon Black Sourcing: Sometimes It's Marijuana! |
EMSL examines several cases of potential fire damage in residential areas. Many cases are from insurance claims trying to prove or... |
| Stain on Walls |
One of our clients wanted to identify a stain on a wall. The client suspected a beverage stain. Through laboratory analysis, EMSL was... |
| Superfund Site |
EMSL Analytical, Inc. under contract with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), continues to provide asbestos emergency response... |
| Surface Analysis - Depth Profile |
Si3N4 has good oxidation resistance and hence potential in many applications where strong resistance to environment-accelerated oxidation is... |
| Suspected Blood Stains on Fried Shrimp Were Confirmed by DNA Analysis |
Fried food with tomato sauce is a common combination on restaurant menus. One day, our customer bought a box of fried shrimp and suspected that there... |
| Test Resistance of Synthetic Polymeric Materials to Fungi |
The Mississauga Laboratory was requested to perform a test of ASTM G21, which is a standard practice for determining resistance of synthetic... |
| Testing for Antimicrobial Efficacy of Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation |
EMSL Mississauga Laboratory was recently engaged by a company to test their product for antimicrobial efficacy of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation... |
| Testing of Anti-Algae Manufactured Solutions |
A manufacturer of coatings approached EMSL to do independent testing on a new formulation they developed. The solution would be used to combat algae... |
| Testing of Disinfectant Solution |
Our lab was recently engaged by a client to test disinfectant solution for an efficacy test. The method that was used by the lab being AOAC 961.02... |
| Testing When Certificate of Analysis Required |
A manufacturer of a microbial soil amendment required a Certificate of Analysis (COA) for several products that they were exporting internationally.... |
| The Origin of a Bundle of Hairs in Dried Fruit Were Identified |
Foreign material contamination in food may be detected by visual examination. When foreign material is seen in food often the origin is investigated.... |
| Titanium Dioxide Testing |
A manufacturer of consumer products asked EMSL Analytical, Inc., to test for particle size distribution of titanium dioxide in their products.... |
| Tree Bark and Forest Floor |
EMSL Analytical, Inc. provides laboratory services on a Libby sister site at a large asbestos project in the northwestern United States. Work... |
| Unidentified Contamination on Magnetic Head of MAG Reader |
A Global magnetic card reader and printer manufacturer had received several complaints from one of his clients (one of the major national banks)... |
| Unknown Substance Identification |
One of our clients wanted us to identify an unknown brown substance in white material. Through laboratory analysis, EMSL was able to determine... |
| Vermiculite - Attic Insulation |
EMSL Analytical, Inc. has provided a client with analytical services for a consumer product study and an attic insulation study. EMSL has also... |
| Water Analysis |
EMSL Analytical, Inc. provides laboratory services for a large mine in the Great Lakes region of the United States. Work performed focused on the... |
| Which Skillet is Best for Cooking? |
A manufacturer of skillets wanted to compare his product to the competition. Testing performed at EMSL revealed that there is a marked difference in... |
| White Residue Buildup During Shoe Manufacturing |
White Residue Buildup During Shoe Manufacturing
A fashionable shoe company wanted to identify a white residue build up found on batches of their new... |
| World Trade Center Emergency and Remedial Response |
As an EPA contract laboratory, EMSL Analytical, Inc. was selected as the analytical laboratory for the World Trade Center (WTC) emergency and... |
| World Trade Center Indoor Dust Test and Clean Analytical Support |
As an EPA contract laboratory, EMSL Analytical, Inc. was selected as the analytical laboratory for the World Trade Center (WTC) test and clean... |
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