ETHOS X microwave extraction system for organic pollutants determination

Advanced Environmental Laboratories, Inc. (AEL), provides soil and biosolids PFAS analyses under EPA Method 1633A. Each batch of samples requires three hours to extract, a process that can add pressure on resources.

In this application note, Milestone demonstrates how the ETHOS X with XTR-44 has provided AEL a solution to their challenges and as an early adopter allows them to provide efficient extractions in a fraction of the time while meeting EPA 1633A QA.

In this application note, Milestone describes how the Milestone ETHOS X provides superior efficiency and quality for the extraction of PFAS. Detailed independent laboratory data are presented showing PFAS Precision and Comparability along with Performance Evaluation data all using the Milestone ETHOS X with XTR-44 rotor, extraction rotor with 44 positions.

Sample preparation is a cornerstone of laboratory operations, directly impacting productivity, data quality, regulatory compliance, safety and overall operational costs. However, it is also one of the most labor-intensive and challenging aspects of environmental testing, requiring precise workflows to handle a wide range of sample types, regulatory limitations and analytical requirements. Explore solutions from Milestone for optimizing sample preparation for both heavy metals and organic pollutant analysis to achieve efficient, safe and compliant results in environmental laboratories.

As regulations addressing target semi-volatile organics in soil matrices drive to lower and lower action levels, laboratories need to examine preparation workflows to optimize the rate-limiting steps in sample preparation. Milestone’s Total Workflow solution approach helps laboratories reduce their solvent usage and associated risks, increases productivity, and processes samples more cost effectively and timely. Using the Milestone Total Workflow solution approach ensures high-quality, safe, productive workflows for the extraction of soils and sediments for semi-volatile organics. It incorporates solvent handling, sample extraction, and sample filtration while eliminating cross contamination and doing all with a small footprint to free up valuable hood space. Samples are weighed, dried with drying agent, transferred to disposable glass inserts, treated with surrogates (and spikes where appropriate). The solvent system is automatically added to each vessel and transferred to a microwave vessel for extraction according to EPA SW-846 method 3546.

The saponification number evaluates the quality of oils and fats by measuring their fatty acids. It is vital for soap production and quality control against adulteration. While the current ISO method is accurate but time-consuming, microwave-assisted extraction offers a faster, more reliable alternative for determining saponification values. In this application note, Milestone details a simple, accurate and faster method for the determination of the saponification value using ETHOS™ X together with the fastEX-24 eT rotor, reducing the preparation time and the space required to carry out the analyses.

Irgafos 168, identified chemically as Tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate, is a paragon of efficacy in the protection of polyolefins against oxidative stress. It executes its protective function through a dual-pronged strategy. In this application note, explore a microwave-assisted extraction on Irgafos 168 and its degradation product as it is carried out in different types of polyolefins using the Milestone ETHOS X microwave extraction system equipped with the Milestone fastEX-24 rotor, followed by quantification by GC-MS chromatography. The results obtained by microwave extraction of polypropylene are also further compared with ultrasonication and Soxhlet techniques.

Innovative sample preparation technologies to enhance the sustainability of your laboratory