Environmental Analysis

Texas OilTech Laboratories also offers testing in the field of environmental analysis. Often times, clients worry about threats posed to physical health and environmental health as a result of exposure to various contaminants. We offer testing services on soil agriculture air and emissions, and hazardous waste as part of a comprehensive environmental package.

Soil

Soil analysis is particularly useful not only for agricultural purposes, but also for industrial purposes.  Often, our clients rely on a detailed soil analysis to properly test for contamination.

Prior to industrial construction, soil samples are taken to ensure that the soil underneath the intended structure will be clean enough and strong enough to offer support.  By testing for contamination, removal, and remediation, we can guarantee that the soil is ready for use in various construction sites.

Another common test performed at Texas OilTech Laboratories includes the forensic search for PCBs, or Polychlorinated Biphenyls.  PCBs have been known to contaminate soil, water sources, and surrounding areas which are often located in areas of high community use such as schools and parks.  As a result, testing for the presence of these synthetic, organic compounds allows us to generate a report on general toxicity and environmental pollution.

In order to provide a thorough analysis protecting against the presence of toxins and pollutants, we recommend analytical testing at the surface and sub-surface level, as well as prior to and after treatment.

Agriculture

Agricultural testing is a necessity to ensure the growth of safe and high quality food products. Texas OilTech Laboratories provides the following tests to aid in this respect:

• Compositional Analysis
• Trace Minerals
• Acidity and pH level
• Electrical Conductivity
• Sodium Absorption
• Analysis of Nutrients vs. Presence of Contaminants

With our home office based in Houston, Texas, Texas OilTech Laboratories understands how important the quality of agricultural elements are to the livelihood of the community, both in terms of health and in terms of economic growth.  We pride ourselves on serving our community and beyond, with special attention given to local area farms and ranches.

One of the strongest concerns in agricultural testing is to ensure that the soil composition has the right balance of nutrients to sustain growth.  Contamination occurs mainly from the use of pesticides though the quantity found determines whether the effect will be detrimental or beneficial.  At Texas OilTech Laboratories, we make sure that the right balance is present.

In addition, tests for acidity and pH levels are crucial to maintaining the right level of hydration.  Using state-of-the-art instrumentation, we are able to assert levels of electrical conductivity, fertility, toxicity, growth potential based on elemental analysis of trace minerals, and metabolic degradation of the soil. 

With a comprehensive environmental analysis including water, wastewater, air, emissions, and hazardous waste, we can rightfully diagnose sources of potential contamination which may be interfering with soil fertility and plant life.  Moreover, these contaminants may also affect both livestock and the community it serves, especially if provided for human consumption.

Air and Emissions

No environmental testing package is complete without testing on ambient air and emissions.  Governmental and environmental regulations place strict requirements with respect to air quality and emissions, both industrial and automotive, to ensure that both are within safe boundaries for human exposure.

Using cutting-edge technology such as the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy to measure and extract the chemical components of air emissions, Texas OilTech Laboratories personnel are able to help interpret emissions results according to EPA standards for public and ecosystem health.

At Texas OilTech Laboratories, we understand how pollution or bad air quality can adversely affect the livelihood of the community. As a result, we highly recommend regular ambient air and emissions testing to accurately measure their various characteristics to properly be informed of potential dangers.

Air pollution and noxious emissions can be a result of the rising use of motor vehicles, power plants, smoke stacks, and wildfires to name a few potential sources.  By conducting studies on air emissions and potential sources of pollution, we can properly measure HAPs (Hazardous Air Pollution) in accordance with the Clean Air Act.

In addition, regular testing of ambient air and emissions resulting from stack, process or industrial sources can provide accurate data with respect to potential dangers.  The benefits of stack testing include being able to classify the pollution emission rate and concentration, to determine the efficiency of a pollution capture system, and to assess a facility’s compliance with federal, state, and local level emissions regulations.

Hazardous Waste

Based on the test parameters set in place by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Texas OilTech Laboratories is able to accurately test for the presence of hazardous waste.  According to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), hazardous waste must be identified so that it can be properly disposed so as not to cause adverse effects on both environmental and physical health.

Texas OilTech Laboratories offers tests of hazardous waste that include characterizations of corrosivity, free liquid, ignitability, a complete elemental profile sheet, reactivity, and toxicity as characterized by the leaching procedure.

Hazardous waste can be the result or by-product of everyday chemical uses in both household and industrial settings.  Improper disposal, leaking, corrosion, and contamination are all threats to any element that becomes exposed to the waste.  Hazardous waste also comes in multiple forms, including solids, liquids, and gases.  At Texas OilTech Laboratories, we are capable of testing all forms of hazardous waste, tailoring the sampling and testing methodology according to the characteristics specialized to the type of waste in question.

At Texas OilTech Laboratories, we use modern technological tools to help classify the different elements within hazardous waste samples.  For standard RCRA Hazardous Waste Characterization, we use Inductively-Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) along with the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) which simulates the occurrence of leaching at a landfill site.  The soil sample extraction is then analyzed to identify hazardous components within the waste.

In addition, for analysis of drilling fluids and muds, Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) so as to identify the volatile and semi-volatile components.  Together, these tests provide a range of analyses to better characterize hazardous waste.