Latest News from Markes.com

2012 Events | Pittcon and Analytica

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:44:03 GMT

Makes International will be exhibiting at:


PittCon – Booth # 1780, 1781		Analytica – Stand A2.125 / A2.126

Product launch | A new instrument for the automated VOC analysis of air and gas

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:36:37 GMT

Markes International Ltd has announced the launch of a new instrument, the CIA Advantage™, designed for the VOC analysis of air and gas sampled using canisters. The CIA Advantage will be an invaluable tool for analytical chemists who measure VOCs in air samples using canisters.

US EPA Method TO-15 fully compliant

It is particularly well-suited to those using US EPA Method TO-15 and other methods involving an extended range of pollutants. The CIA Advantage offers scope for improving work-flow productivity and flexibility, and this, coupled with the additional functionality of sorbent tube analysis, makes it a unique instrument in its field.

Vapour intrusion & soil gas analysis

Although canisters have traditionally been applied to ambient air analysis, in recent years they have been increasingly used for other applications, such as vapour intrusion and soil gas studies. Modern analytical systems for air monitoring applications are therefore now expected to manage a wider range of sample concentrations. To do this effectively on a single analytical system, a new approach is required. The CIA Advantage from Markes International addresses this challenge.

“The CIA Advantage can analyse samples with a wide range of analyte concentrations, with the utmost confidence” says Matthew Bates, Product Manager at Markes International. He points out that “the CIA Advantage is fully compliant with US EPA Method TO-15, making it the ideal solution for laboratories wanting a robust, high-throughput system for canister air monitoring”.

Cryogen-free automated canister analysis

The CIA Advantage can accommodate up to 27 canisters of various sizes, and operates completely cryogen-free, eliminating the cost of using liquid cryogen. All internal lines are heated to prevent cross-contamination of samples, and it uses patented technologies to prevent the ice formation that continues to be a frustration experienced by many proponents of US EPA Method TO-15.

Sorbent tubes - added benefit

An added benefit of the CIA Advantage, says Bates, is that it has inbuilt capacity to handle sorbent tubes. This, he says, “extends the range of compounds that can be analysed compared to canisters, allowing laboratories to offer the widest possible range of air-monitoring services”.

Markes International is the world leader in thermal desorption technology and innovation, specialising in the manufacture and supply of cryogen-free thermal desorption instrumentation, sampling accessories, and consumables for VOC and SVOC monitoring. Markes’ global customer base includes major industry, government agencies, academia and the service laboratory sector.

Product page for the CIA Advantage | Application Note TDTS 99 "Using the CIA Advantage for automated cryogen-free analysis of canister air and gas"

For further information on this or Markes’ other thermal desorption instruments, accessories or consumables, please email enquiries@markes.com or call +44 (0)1443 230935.

Voice your opinion – Markes new blog

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:18:25 GMT

To engage more directly with analysts in the field of thermal desorption and air/gas monitoring, Markes recently launched its blog.

Covering a variety of topics related to thermal desorption, the blog draws on the experience of a number of people at Markes, with posts on a wide variety of subjects, as demonstrated by the content already online:

Markes is keen that the blog stimulates conversation, and will be delighted to engage with readers on any topic related to thermal desorption or air/gas monitoring.

Readers can leave comments to each blog post, and specialists at Markes will be happy to start conversations.

Markes also has a Twitter feed (@MarkesInt) to which items are regularly posted.

New hand-held device simplifies VOC and SVOC sampling from air

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 10:14:39 GMT

Markes International (Llantrisant, UK) has announced the launch of a simple catch-all sampling solution for VOCs and SVOCs in air, Easy-VOC™. Easy-VOC is a hand-held device for fast, simple and accurate collection of small sample volumes of air directly onto sorbent tubes, without the need for calibrated pumps. The sample tubes are subsequently analysed using thermal desorption (TD)-GC/MS.

Existing technologies for capturing vapour-phase organics such as ‘air toxics’, soil gas contaminants or fugitive industrial emissions include bags, canisters, sorbent tubes and passive samplers. However, collection of air samples can often be difficult when using equipment not designed with challenging field conditions in mind. To address this, Markes has released the Easy-VOC, which provides a quick and easy method for grab-sampling vapour-phase chemicals in air.

The Easy-VOC uses robust technology to grab-sample specified volumes of air onto sorbent tubes, avoiding the need for calibrated pumps. Dr Nicola Watson, Environmental Applications Specialist at Markes, says “the portability of the Easy-VOC makes it ideal for scientists who need accurate sampling in tough conditions”.

The sorbent tubes used with the Easy-VOC allow a wide range of compounds to be collected, from volatile hydrocarbons right up to C₃₂ compounds. Dr Watson says “the ability to grab-sample directly onto sorbent tubes eliminates the logistics of transporting bulky equipment”, and concludes “the variety of sorbents that can be used with the Easy-VOC makes it suitable for a wide range of sampling situations”.

Further information on the Easy-VOC for air sampling can be found here

Markes International poster presentation at the A&WMA conference

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 14:07:42 GMT

Markes International will be participating at the Air & Waste Management Associations Conference & Exposition, June 21-24, in Orlando, USA

In addition to its exhibition booth (Booth #100), on which the new CIA Advantage™ and Easy-VOC™ will be showcased, Markes will also be presenting a scientific poster:

Making tube sampling easy: the development of a new type of ‘grab’ sampler

Easy-VOC is a simple sampling solution for VOCs in air and facilitates rapid, "grab" sample collection of small volumes of air/gas onto thermal desorption sorbent tubes without the need for calibrated pumps.

CIA Advantage offers automated analysis of canister air samples without the inconvenience and cost of liquid cryogen. It offers full compliance with standards such as US EPA Method TO-15.

Copies of the poster will be available on request (enquiries@markes.com) following the conference.

New ASTM & DIN standards for chemical emission screening

Wed, 25 May 2011 12:43:53 GMT

New ASTM micro-scale chamber standard will speed up chemical emission screening for manufacturers of materials and products used indoors

An important new ASTM standard has been published: D7706-11: Standard practice for rapid screening of VOC emissions from products using micro-scale chambers.

D7706 will benefit both manufacturing industry (e.g. QC and R&D labs) and accredited third-party test laboratories by providing a fast and low-cost approach to screening chemical emissions from materials. D7706 complements existing longer-term reference test methods and is applicable to a wide range of materials including; construction products, dried or cured paints/coatings/adhesives, compressible products (textiles, foams, etc) and small components such as polymer beads. It will allow manufacturers to control the level of chemical emissions from their products (i.e. to assess ongoing conformity to regulations), to evaluate R&D prototypes and to monitor the quality of raw materials.

The new standard specifies micro-chamber parameters and outlines the test procedure. Key steps include incubating materials at 30 to 60ºC under a flow of clean, dry gas (N₂ or air) in either surface-emission mode (only one exposed surface) or in bulk emission mode. Tests typically take less than one hour. Chemical vapours emitted from the sample are subsequently analysed using TD-GC/MS (e.g. using Markes UNITY or TD-100 thermal desorption systems) or by using HPLC (formaldehyde).

D7706 also includes detailed procedures for optimising test conditions and for setting & applying emission control levels. It further describes how micro-chamber data can be correlated with longer-term reference tests using small test chambers or cells (e.g. FLEC).

Copies of the new standard are readily available from the ASTM website (www.astm.org/Standards/D7706.htm).

DIN ISO 12219-3

Markes’ Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractor provides a robust and innovative solution for screening chemical emissions from everyday products and materials. It complies fully with ASTM D7706 and with DIN ISO 12219-3 (Indoor air of road vehicles – Part 3: Screening method for the determination of VOC emissions from vehicle interior parts and materials – Micro-chamber method). Markes’ high-temperature Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractor is also compatible with ISO 16000-25 (Indoor Air – Part 25: determination of the emission of semi-volatile organic chemicals from building products – Micro-chamber method).

A free copy of an informative 52-page application guide to testing chemical emissions from products and materials is available from Markes.

Markes International Ltd provides an innovative range of instrumentation, accessories and consumables for enhancing trace GC/MS analysis. Products include: thermal desorption instruments, time-of-flight mass spectrometry and related software and a broad portfolio of sampling accessories covering air sampling, materials emissions testing, breath sampling, soil gas analysis and direct desorption of volatiles from materials. Further information is available from the company on its website www.markes.com, by email enquiries@markes.com or phone +44 (0)1443 230935.

Markes thermal desorption instruments used for environmental monitoring | Two new influential papers

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 15:52:04 GMT

Markes International's thermal desorption instrumentation has been used for research recently published in two influential journals:

Determination of phosphine and other fumigants in air samples by thermal desorption and 2D heart-cutting gas chromatography with synchronous SIM/Scan mass spectrometry and flame photometric detection

Svea Fahrenholtz, Heinrich Hühnerfuss, Xaver Baur, Lygia Therese Budnik

Journal of Chromatography A, 1217 (2010) 8298–8307

Abstract
Fumigants and volatile industrial chemicals are particularly hazardous to health when a freight container is fumigated or the contaminated material is introduced into its enclosed environment. Phosphine is now increasingly used as a fumigant, after bromomethane – the former fumigant of choice – has been banned by the Montreal Protocol. We have enhanced our previously established thermal desorption–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (TD-GC–MS) method by integrating a second gas chromatographic dimension and a flame photometric detector to allow the simultaneous detection of phosphine and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), providing a novel application. A thermal desorption system is coupled to a two dimensional gas chromatograph using both mass spectrometric and flame photometric detection (TD-2D–GC–MS/FPD). Additionally, the collection of mass spectrometric SIM and Scan data has been synchronised, so only a single analysis is now sufficient for qualitative scanning of the whole sample and for sensitive quantification. Though detection limits for the herewith described method are slightly higher than in the previous method, they are in the low µLm−3 range, which is not only below the respective occupational exposure and intervention limits but also allows the detection of residual contamination after ventilation. The method was developed for the separation and identification of 44 volatile substances. For 12 of these compounds (bromomethane, iodomethane, dichloromethane, 1,2-dichlorethane, benzene, tetrachloromethane, 1,2-dichloropropane, toluene, trichloronitromethane, ethyl benzene, phosphine, carbon disulfide) the method was validated as we chose the target compounds due to their relevance in freight container handling.

Further details: http://tinyurl.com/68oc3on

Halogenated hydrocarbon pesticides and other volatile organic contaminants provide analytical challenges in global trading

Lygia T. Budnik, Svea Fahrenholtz, Stefan Kloth and Xaver Baur

J. Environ. Monit., 2010, 12, 936–942

Abstract
Protection against infestation of a container cargo by alien species is achieved by mandatory fumigation with pesticides. Most of the effective fumigants are methyl and ethyl halide gases that are highly toxic and are a risk to both human health and the environment. There is a worldwide need for a reliable and robust analytical screening procedure for these volatile chemicals in a multitude of health and environmental scenarios. We have established a highly sensitive broad spectrum mass spectrometry method combined with thermal desorption gas chromatography to detect, identify and quantify volatile pesticide residues. Using this method, 1201 random ambient air samples taken from freight containers arriving at the biggest European ports of Hamburg and Rotterdam were analyzed over a period of two and a half years. This analytical procedure is a valuable strategy to measure air pollution from these hazardous chemicals, to help in the identification of pesticides in the new mixtures/-formulations that are being adopted globally and to analyze expired breath samples after suspected intoxication in biomonitoring.

Further details: http://tinyurl.com/62whqop

CIA Advantage™ for the VOC analysis of air sampled using canisters

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 10:30:49 GMT

Markes International to preview CIA Advantage™ for the VOC analysis of air sampled using canisters at PittCon 2011

Markes International (Llantrisant, UK) has announced that it will preview a new thermal desorption instrument, the CIA Advantage™, at PittCon 2011. The CIA Advantage will be an invaluable tool for analytical chemists who measure VOCs in air samples using canisters, such as US EPA Method TO-15 and other methods involving an extended range of such pollutants, and who want increased work-flow productivity and flexibility. This, coupled with the additional functionality of sorbent tube analysis, will make the CIA Advantage a unique instrument in its field. Markes will exhibit this innovation on stand #1322, 1323 at PittCon 2011, Atlanta, GA, March 13-18, 2011.

Typically samples will be collected into canisters of varying sizes. US EPA method TO-15 provides the method for ambient air analysis, however other areas of analysis, such as vapour intrusion and soil gas studies, effectively extends the scope of canister analysis. A modern analytical system for air monitoring applications is now expected to manage a wider range of sample concentrations. To do this effectively, on a single analytical system, a new approach is required. The new CIA Advantage, an automated canister accessory for the industry leading UNITY 2™ thermal desorber from Markes International, will address this challenge.

The CIA Advantage will offer a more technologically advanced approach to achieving TO-15 than those currently commercially available and extend the range of compounds that can be analysed; provision for 14 canisters of the same or varying sizes on a single system; the ability to analyse a huge dynamic range of sample concentration, without dilution, on a single instrument configuration with the added capability for screening. The instrument will be fully automated, incorporate internal standard addition and heating of all internal lines to 200°C, thereby preventing cross-contamination of samples; samples of both high and low VOC concentration will be able to be analysed, with the utmost confidence, in a single analytical sequence.

As with all Markes International thermal desorption products, the CIA Advantage will be designed to operate cryogen-free and utilise patented technologies to prevent ice-formation leading to instrument malfunction; a frustration experienced by many proponents of US EPA Method TO-15.

Markes International will also be showcasing its other products and innovative technologies for thermal desorption for VOC and SVOC measurement from air and materials; the TD-100™ automated thermal desorber for analysis of sorbent tubes and the Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractor™ & FLEC^® cell for sampling VOCs and SVOCs from manufactured products and raw materials.

For further information on CIA Advantage, or any of Markes’ other thermal desorption instrument, accessories, consumables or technologies please visit stand #1322, 1323 at PittCon 2011. Alternatively, please visit www.markes.com , email enquiries@markes.com or phone +44 (0)1443 230935.

Markes announces PittCon 2011 poster presentations

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 11:26:38 GMT

Markes International Ltd, has announced it will be presenting four posters at PittCon 2011, Atlanta in March. The details are as follows:

Analysis of the Off-odour Profile of Food Products Using a Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extraction System and Thermal Desorption (TD)-GC/TOF MS Detection

Gareth Roberts, Daniel Cooper

Abstract Number: 710 - 1P
Session 710 - Food Science Using GC/MS and LC/MS
Day and Time: Monday, March 14, 2011, Afternoon
Room Red Area on Exposition Floor - Hall B, Aisle 400

International Green Construction Code (IgCC) and Beyond - Rapid Screening of VOC Emissions Using Micro-scale Chambers

Caroline Widdowson, Elizabeth Woolfenden

Abstract Number: 1720 - 4P
Session 1720 - Materials Science
Day and Time: Wednesday, March 16, 2011, Afternoon
Room Red Area on Exposition Floor - Hall B, Aisle 400

Enhanced Data Analysis Tools for the Measurement of Trace Odour Compounds in Complex GC/MS Product Emission Profiles

Caroline Widdowson, Elizabeth Woolfenden

Abstract Number: 1720 - 5P
Session 1720 - Materials Science
Day and Time: Wednesday, March 16, 2011, Afternoon
Room Red Area on Exposition Floor - Hall B, Aisle 400

One System for Trace and High Level Air Monitoring – The Future of Ambient Air and Soil Gas Analysis

Stephen Davies, David Wevill, Matthew Bates

Abstract Number: 2090-1P
Session 2090 – Environmental Analysis – Gases and Particulates in Air
Day and Time: Thursday, March 17, 2011, Morning
Room Blue Area on Exposition Floor - Hall B, Aisles 3900-4500

Testing chemical emissions from construction materials & other everyday products

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:12:26 GMT

Specialist analytical thermal desorption instrumentation manufacturer, Markes International Ltd (Llantrisant, UK), has announced the publication of a 4-page brochure introducing the rapidly developing area of chemical emissions (VOC and SVOC) testing from construction materials and other everyday products.

With the advent of new legislation requiring the measurement and reporting of VOC emissions as part of product certification (e.g. CE marking), there is increasing pressure on manufacturers to test their products for chemicals which may be released during use. Much of manufacturing industry will be impacted, with producers of flooring, furniture, toys, domestic goods, cleaning products, wood-based materials, thermal/sound insulation, coatings and adhesive/sealants being in the front line, together with all their suppliers. Standard methods for testing specify chambers, micro-chambers or cells in combination with thermal desorption and GC/MS or FID.

This new brochure serves as a simple introduction to this subject. It describes the new legislation being unveiled and adopted by manufacturer and testing laboratories alike. The brochure also discusses test equipment required for such screening and new methods for data analysis.

For a more in-depth, application focussed study, Markes International also has a 50-page booklet full of material emissions testing applications.

Markes International provides an innovative range of instrumentation, accessories and consumables for enhancing trace GC/MS analysis. Products include: thermal desorption (TD) instruments, headspace (HS)-TD technology and a broad portfolio of sampling accessories covering air sampling, materials emissions testing, breath sampling, soil gas analysis and direct desorption of volatiles from materials. Further information is available from the company on its website www.markes.com, by email enquiries@markes.com or phone +44 (0) 1443 230935.