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On-Site Real-Time Air Monitoring for Chemical Emergencies
Oral Presentation
Prepared by D. Lortie1, P. Avon2, K. Gingras3, D. Richoz4, C. Romiguière5, M. Veilleux6
1 - Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec, 850 Boulevard Vanier, Laval, Québec, H7C 2M7
2 - Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec, 850, boulevard Vanier, Laval, Québec, H7C 2M7
3 - Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec, 850, boulevard Vanier, Laval, Québec, H7C 2M7
4 - Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec, 850, boulevard Vanier, Laval, Québec, H7C 2M7
5 - Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec, 850, boulevard Vanier, Laval, Québec, H7C 2M7
6 - Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec, 850, boulevard Vanier, Laval, Québec, H7C 2M7
Contact Information: dominic.lortie@mddefp.gouv.qc.ca; 450-664-1750
ABSTRACT
The Centre d’expertise en analyse environnementale du Quebec (CEAEQ) is a government agency within the ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment, Wildlife and Parks of the province of Quebec, Canada, which brings together a wide range of specialists in the fields of biology, chemistry, ecotoxicology and microbiology. The CEAEQ is renowned internationally for its expertise in environmental analysis laboratory certification, quality management systems, the preparation and sale of reference materials, and for international proficiency testing.
With its fleet of mobile labs, the CEAEQ Field Studies team of specialized chemists and technicians can be deployed rapidly on the field. One of the key roles of the Field Studies team is to provide 24/7 assistance to the technical advisers from Urgence-Environnement Québec, giving scientific support directly on the field. The most serious emergencies very often have an impact on ambient air quality while directly threatening populations, first responders and the environment. To respond to this type of event, the Field Studies team frequently put its TAGA (Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer) mobile laboratory into action. This mobile lab is equipped with over twenty detectors and scientific instruments, including a tandem atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation mass spectrometer (APCI-MS/MS). These instruments allow for a complete real-time characterisation of ambient air, directly on-site, thus giving the emergency team most valuable information on the emitted contaminants. Concrete examples of environmental emergencies and air quality studies made with the TAGA mobile lab will be presented. The contaminants identified and the concentrations measured during these interventions will be illustrated to highlight the contribution of the TAGA mobile lab and its team to the management of these situations.
Oral Presentation
Prepared by D. Lortie1, P. Avon2, K. Gingras3, D. Richoz4, C. Romiguière5, M. Veilleux6
1 - Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec, 850 Boulevard Vanier, Laval, Québec, H7C 2M7
2 - Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec, 850, boulevard Vanier, Laval, Québec, H7C 2M7
3 - Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec, 850, boulevard Vanier, Laval, Québec, H7C 2M7
4 - Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec, 850, boulevard Vanier, Laval, Québec, H7C 2M7
5 - Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec, 850, boulevard Vanier, Laval, Québec, H7C 2M7
6 - Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec, 850, boulevard Vanier, Laval, Québec, H7C 2M7
Contact Information: dominic.lortie@mddefp.gouv.qc.ca; 450-664-1750
ABSTRACT
The Centre d’expertise en analyse environnementale du Quebec (CEAEQ) is a government agency within the ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment, Wildlife and Parks of the province of Quebec, Canada, which brings together a wide range of specialists in the fields of biology, chemistry, ecotoxicology and microbiology. The CEAEQ is renowned internationally for its expertise in environmental analysis laboratory certification, quality management systems, the preparation and sale of reference materials, and for international proficiency testing.
With its fleet of mobile labs, the CEAEQ Field Studies team of specialized chemists and technicians can be deployed rapidly on the field. One of the key roles of the Field Studies team is to provide 24/7 assistance to the technical advisers from Urgence-Environnement Québec, giving scientific support directly on the field. The most serious emergencies very often have an impact on ambient air quality while directly threatening populations, first responders and the environment. To respond to this type of event, the Field Studies team frequently put its TAGA (Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer) mobile laboratory into action. This mobile lab is equipped with over twenty detectors and scientific instruments, including a tandem atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation mass spectrometer (APCI-MS/MS). These instruments allow for a complete real-time characterisation of ambient air, directly on-site, thus giving the emergency team most valuable information on the emitted contaminants. Concrete examples of environmental emergencies and air quality studies made with the TAGA mobile lab will be presented. The contaminants identified and the concentrations measured during these interventions will be illustrated to highlight the contribution of the TAGA mobile lab and its team to the management of these situations.