Trace Analytical Laboratory

Key equipment

• 2x High-Resolution Gas Chromatography – High-Resolution Mass Spectrometery (HRGC-HRMS) systems – for analyzing polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), furans, dioxin-like compounds and indicator PCBs, brominated flame-retardants, and pesticides
• Low-resolution Gas Chromatography - low-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) system with electron or chemical ionization – for analyzing indicator PCBs, organochloride pesticides, cyclodiene pesticides, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) including substitutes, aromatic compounds, and chlorinated paraffins
• Orbitrap GC-MS system – for non-target screening
• GC–Electron Capture Detector / Flame Ionization Detector (GC-ECD / FID) – for analyzing organochloride pesticides and indicator PCBs
• Low-resolution liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) – for analyzing perfluorinated compounds, brominated and organophosphate flame-retardants, pharmaceuticals and personal hygiene products, phthalates, bisphenols, polar pesticides, steroids, natural toxins (cyanobacterial peptides and alkaloids), and metabolites of organic pollutants
• Orbitrap LC-MS – for non-target screening
• Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in combination with GC / LC – for elemental analysis and determination of heavy metals species
• Several smaller instruments such as an elemental carbon organic carbon (EC/OC) and total organic carbon (TOC) analyzers

A full list of equipment is available here.

Our skilled laboratory staff has extensive knowledge and experience not only in using the equipment but also in providing trainings. Over the last 5 years we have conducted trainings in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kenya, Ghana, Morocco and other countries. Although trainings are mainly focused on sample preparation and analysis, familiarization with laboratory instrumentation, techniques, and data interpretation, we put great emphasis on the specific needs of each client, therefore the content is personalized accordingly. Training usually take place at our lab in RECETOX; however, it can also be done at the client’s facility, where our experts can assist in formulating custom-made standard operating procedures (SOPs) to fit the client’s specific requirements.

We advise our clients on study and project design with regards to the specific services and analyses they would require, as well as with interpreting the results on completion. Furthermore, since our laboratory staff works in close collaboration with the center’s research programmes to improve current methods, and develop new ones, they can offer advice on sampling techniques, preservation, analytical preparation and analysis, or on any other issue that may arise.