In the industrial age, companies embarked on practices that would lead to the computer age. Some of those practices came at a price: as the human environment flourished, the natural environment was compromised. Today, the movement to mitigate the environmental effects of big industry is well underway - a goal made possible by analytical technology that supports environmental analysis. Used by eco friendly companies and laboratories worldwide, this equipment helps scientists and technicians perform the following types of analysis, among others:
Air Monitoring Companies that reside in low emission zones (LEZs) must carefully monitor their emissions. In the U.S., companies that violate emissions codes are subject to an excess emissions penalty that is based on the number of tons emitted in violation of the emissions cap. Along with hurting the environment, excess emissions can hurt a company's finances through fines. Analytical equipment for air monitoring helps companies to avoid these problems.
Soil Analysis Soil analysis serves several purposes. In brownfield projects, it is used to determine the necessary cleanup measures for contaminated soil. In agricultural planning, it examines soil's viability for crops, and whether it is contaminated or pure. In industrial monitoring, it is used to measure particulate accumulation in soil. Along with air monitoring and water analysis, soil analysis is a core practice among companies that maintain environmental compliance.
Water Analysis Water analysis is performed in several capacities, including greywater analysis for greywater recycling, drinking water analysis for public water supply, and wastewater analysis for industrial wastewater. As history demonstrates, improper analysis of processed water and wastewater can cause sickness in humans, damage aquatic life, contaminate soil, and lead to lawsuits that hurt a company's finances and reputation.
Industrial Hygiene Industrial environments can harbor dangerous gases and particulates that predispose workers to chronic health conditions. For example, long-term exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) could induce respiratory, nervous system, or neurological disorders, and long-term exposure to certain particulates could cause cancer. Regarding the prevention of workers compensation claims and lawsuits; industrial hygiene can be as financially important as the products or services a company sells.
Radiation Measurement For entities that work with radioactive materials or processes, continuous radiation measurement is essential to ensure public and private safety. Thermo combustion equipment for radiation measurement is used for contamination monitoring and area monitoring to achieve compliance with as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) program limits, dose measurement of contained chemical processes that involve radioactivity, and the protection of tangible assets.
The Future of Analytical Technology
When used for the endeavors above, analytical technology improves the human environment and the natural environment simultaneously - an accomplishment that traditional industrial practices could not achieve. With an emphasis on environmentalism now present in all sectors, the future of industry will be inseparable from analytical technology; indeed, it will largely be defined by it. For companies whose processes or projects involve elemental or environmental analysis, analytical technology will play an increasing role in the development of new products and services.
