Reduce drinking water contaminants
We offer a wide range of solutions to help you ensure that chemically treated drinking water is free of harmful contaminants by enabling analysis of water samples for disinfection byproducts (chlorate, chlorite, bromate, and haloacetic acids), inorganic cations (alkaline earth metals and ammonium), and inorganic anions (fluoride, chloride, bromide, nitrite, phosphate sulfate, perchlorate, hexavalent chromium). Partner with our team of experts to quickly and confidently meet evolving environmental regulatory requirements and overcome your investigative challenges.
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Workflows for U.S. EPA analytical methods
We offer a variety of workflows for performing cost-effective robust and reproducible detection, identification, and analysis of inorganic anions, cations and disinfection byproducts for multiple analytes and types of water.
Fast determination of nine haloacetic acids, bromate, and dalapon at trace levels in drinking water samples by tandem IC-MS/MS
Identify and quantify low concentrations of nine haloacetic acids, bromate and dalapon in drinking water using a uniquely selective ion exchange column. This IC-MS/MS method, requiring no sample pretreatment, can determine all analytes in water samples in 35 minutes, 39% faster than the original U.S. EPA Method 557. Excellent method precision and accuracy are obtained for the standard solution (DI water), laboratory synthetic sample matrix (LSSM), and municipal drinking water. Full method validation including calibration curves, lowest concentration minimum reporting levels (LCMRL), and method detection limits (DL) for all nine HAAs, bromate, and dalapon are presented per U.S. EPA Method 557 guidelines.
"The original gas chromatography electron capture detector (GC-ECD) method we used for HAA determination was labor-intensive and fraught with recovery issues. Since adopting the new, easy-to-use IC-MS/MS system, we have improved confidence in our results, identifying and quantifying low concentrations of HAAs in drinking water samples. The direct detection eliminates tedious sample preparation steps such as sample acidification, extraction, and derivatization, reducing the overall analysis time."
Gerhard Paluca, Senior Sanitary Chemist, Erie County Public Health Laboratory
Determination of inorganic anions in drinking water using a compact ion chromatography system
This technical note provides detailed instructions for system set up and operation for determining inorganic anions in samples such as drinking water according to U.S. EPA Method 300.1 (A). Seven common inorganic anions (fluoride, chloride, bromide, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, and sulfate) in two drinking water samples are separated under isocratic conditions using a carbonate/bicarbonate eluent and a Dionex IonPac AS22 column set. The method shows good precision and accuracy for all seven anions with recoveries from 95 to 104%.
Low-cost determination of inorganic cations and ammonium in environmental waters
Although the common alkali and alkaline earth cations, and ammonium are not considered primary drinking water contaminants in the U.S., they are routinely monitored in this country and are regulated in Europe and Japan. Ammonium is measured in the U.S. for wastewater discharge compliance according to the criteria, published by the U.S. EPA in 2013, for the protection of aquatic life from the toxic effects of ammonia in freshwater.
Learn more about a simple, low-cost ion chromatography workflow, including an integrated ion chromatography system, autosampler and suppressed conductivity detection, for routine determination of inorganic cations and ammonium in drinking water and wastewater samples.
Inorganic ion and disinfection byproduct contamination learning materials
Environmental IC Application Compendium
Learn about the solutions we offer for labs performing environmental water testing for a wide range of regulated and emerging inorganic elements and organic compounds.
Thermo Scientific AppsLab Library of Analytical Applications
Search online by compound, technology, or market specialty for a variety of quick start analytical methods featuring Thermo Scientific products and workflows.
Develop robust mass spectrometry environmental methods
Learn how triple quadrupole and high resolution accurate mass spectrometry can improve your ability to deliver faster, accurate and reliable test results.
Chromatography and mass spectrometry solutions for contaminant testing
We offer a variety of solutions to suit your cost-per-sample threshold, throughput requirements, limits of detection, regulatory compliance needs and analytical challenges with inorganic anions, inorganic cations and disinfection byproduct testing.
Multiple anion or cation contaminants can be analyzed using ion chromatography in a single run with unprecedented separation and sensitivity. Modern chromatography techniques bring in cutting-edge technologies such as Reagent-Free Ion Chromatography (RFIC) and High Pressure Ion Chromatography (HPIC) systems that allow you to achieve high-quality, accurate results. Our comprehensive product portfolio allows environmental scientists to choose the instruments and columns that fit their analysis and cost requirements.
Both triple quadrupole (QqQ) and high resolution accurate mass (HRAM) when it comes to quantitation of analytes in complex matrices. Both QqQ and HRAM technologies offer unique advantages, enabling supreme confidence in the quantitation of a variety of molecule types.
| Needs | HRAM | QqQ |
|---|---|---|
| Untargeted screening |  |  |
| Targeted screening | | |
| Untargeted and targeted quantitation | |  |
| Targeted quantitation only | | |
| Retrospective analysis | | |
| = Not applicable |  = Poor |  = Good | = Better | = Best |
White paper: Which MS system is right for you?
In this paper we outline the latest developments in Triple Quadrupole (QqQ) and Orbitrap-based high-resolution spectrometry, highlighting the suitability of each for varying application demands and challenges.
Orbitrap technology for quantitation, screening and confirmation
Discover how the power of Orbitrap mass analyzer technology delivers exceptional peak discrimination at low m/z, fine isotopic distribution, quantitation and unknown identification capabilities.
Transitioning to confident quantitation—in search of a better tomorrow
Dig deeper into the pros and cons of using QqQ and HRAM-MS for quantitation compared to other traditional techniques. Learn about enhanced confidence and the ability to do more, more easily.
What data analysis software can I use for environmental contaminant analysis?
Make data analysis easier and faster by streamlining your small molecule qualitative and quantitative methods for environmental contaminants. Now that you have acquired comprehensive, high-quality MS and MS2 data, you need to identify and characterize unknowns and transfer discovery knowledge through to everyday testing.
Technology quick links
Videos: IC-MS basics and benefits
Solutions for environmental contaminants by sample matrix
Contract testing integrated partnership
Learn how your laboratory can partner with Thermo Fisher Scientific to help you overcome barriers to your lab's success.
Keep up with the speed of science
The Lab-Forward Trade-In Program
The world needs science to move faster. Now more than ever. Which is why when more scientists have access to the latest scientific instrumentation, we all benefit. That is the sole purpose of our Lab-Forward Trade-In Program. For a limited time, trade in your chromatography and mass spectrometry instruments and save!