Laboratory

The primary function of the Laboratory Program is to provide technical services and analytical support to other divisions and sections in completing their missions. The laboratory evaluates analytical methods and develops new ones as required by new and amended District regulations.

Technical information for enforcement action, permit evaluation and regulatory standards development is provided. Close liaison is maintained with other air pollution agencies and technical groups.

The laboratory, in support of the Air Monitoring section and EPA, currently performs PM 2.5 and PM 10 gravimetric analysis as well as anion/cation speciation and OC/EC analysis on PM 10 filters. The laboratory also performs ambient air analysis for volatile organic contaminants as part of the Toxics program and can provide analysis of ambient air for ozone precursor compounds. The laboratory, in support of the Enforcement Division, analyzes bulk materials for asbestos content. The laboratory is currently accredited for the analysis by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP).

The laboratory, in support of the Enforcement Division, Permits Division, Rule Development Section, and Source Test Section analyzes a wide variety of samples for potential enforcement action. The methods that the laboratory uses for these analyses can be found in the Manual of Procedures (Click on Laboratory MOP list for details). These methods are periodically updated by the laboratory, and may be going through that process at any given time.

The laboratory is capable of analyzing a wide variety of samples during, and in the aftermath of episodic events.

The laboratory occasionally participates in special projects in support of a wide variety of agencies and institutions. These projects may involve the current methodologies mentioned above or development of new analytical methodologies.