Since the late 1960’s, Davis & Floyd has been actively engaged in air sampling and analysis. During this time, our air sampling teams have performed thousands of source tests, fugitive emissions tests, and ambient air measurements for all types and sizes of facilities. They have a working knowledge of all EPA, OSHA, and NIOSH testing protocols. They are experienced in all types of air sampling procedures and, coupled with our air quality specialists, can determine what types of procedures will best fit the needs of any facility.

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Services

Our air sampling teams routinely perform source tests, fugitive emissions tests, ambient air tests, personal monitoring, and indoor air quality/sick building syndrome investigations. Our scientists and engineers have worked closely with EPA and State regulatory agencies in developing testing strategies and procedures for unique and complex situations that have allowed for complete characterization of the emissions from a facility. Our teams have developed test methods and completed validation studies of these methods for pollutants without EPA approved test methods. This is especially true of many air toxics. Our knowledge of state and federal regulations allows us to develop cost effective and reliable testing programs.

Our testing teams are equipped to conduct testing for:

• Particulates/TSP
• PM10
• SO2, NOx, CO, and CO2
• Metals
• Volatile Organic Compounds (Total VOC’s or Speciated Individual VOC’s)
• Acid Gases (HCl, HF, etc.)
• Air Toxics
• Opacity


Analytical techniques used include:

• Gas Chromatography
• Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy (GC/MS)
• Ion Chromatography
• Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP)
• Atomic Absorption (AA)
• Wet Chemistry
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Source and Fugitive Testing

Source testing of emissions is often necessary to obtain an accurate estimation of emissions from a facility. EPA emission factors used to estimate the quantity of a pollutant being emitted may not adequately characterize the emissions from a facility. This often results in an overestimation of emissions. Additionally, emission factors are not available for all types of sources and pollutants, particularly hazardous or toxic pollutants. Fugitive emissions are often poorly quantified and their impact cannot be properly evaluated.

We can provide a facility with the source emissions testing of individual or multiple stacks as well as the testing of fugitive emissions that are an integral part of the facility’s complete emissions inventory.

An ever-increasing concern for many facilities is the installation of Continuous Emissions Monitors (CEM’s). These CEM’s, once operational, must be periodically certified through source emissions testing. We have completed numerous CEM certification source tests for a wide range of facilities. Return to list

Ambient Air Testing

Ambient air measurements are often necessary to demonstrate compliance with a regulatory or permit limit. They are also used to validate the results of emissions inventories, fugitive surveys, or dispersion modeling. Likewise, ambient air measurements are used to evaluate the ambient impact of releases of toxic compounds. Public concern over odors can often be addressed through ambient air measurements to validate and quantify concentrations of pollutants. Our staff has worked closely with EPA and state agencies in developing ambient air measurement programs to provide for continuous monitoring of many constituents, including organic compounds. We have installed permanent ambient air monitoring systems complete with meteorological stations equipped for remote access via computer. Return to list

Area/Personal Monitoring

Workplace exposure to hazardous and/or toxic chemicals is another growing concern for many facilities. We have completed both area and personal monitoring surveys at numerous facilities. These surveys are used to ensure that workers are not exposed to levels of potentially harmful chemicals that are above OSHA exposure limits. Return to list

Indoor Air Quality/Sick Building Syndromes

Indoor air quality has become the focus of recent concern with the introduction of energy efficient buildings and various building materials containing potentially toxic chemicals. With the introduction of the concept of energy efficiency, proper building ventilation is often overlooked and can create air quality problems. Our scientists and engineers are experienced in performing these investigations. More importantly, they are adept at designing solutions to eliminate indoor air quality problems. Return to list