CEBAM Analytical, Inc. !!! New Location !!! 18804 North Creek Parkway Bothell, Washington 98011 425-415-1696, 425-415-1724 Fax Contact: Patrick Pang, Lab Manager E-Mail: liang@cebam.net, pang@cebam.net Cebam Analytical, Inc., a small specialty analytical laboratory founded in 1995 by Dr. Lian Liang is dedicated to provide analytical testing and research services to our clients in the environmental, industrial, biological, clinical, foods and agriculture fields. Dr. Liang is an analytical chemist with 25 years experience working for laboratories in China, Belgium, America and International Atomic Energy Agincy (Monoco). Cebam is an accredited Washington State laboratory specializing in analysis and speciation of trace metals, especially for mercury, arsenic and selenium in various samples using EPA's 1600 Method Series and other innovative analytical techniques. Since its inception Cebam has built its reputation by providing highest quality services using innovative analytical techniques accompanied by explicit Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) protocols and procedures. The innovative analytical techniques used at Cebam were developed and published by Cebam's researchers and colleagues in the field. Detailed information of the services are described in items below. * Analysis of trace metals * Speciation of Trace Metals * Develop analytical strategies for new projects * Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) * Data deliverables * Ultra Clean Sample Handling * Rapid Turn-Around Time * Bottles and Shipping Containers * Past Performance * Facility and Equipment * Special Services * Contact Information ( Patrick Pang, Laboratory Manager ) * Resume of Dr. Lian Liang, Cebam's Senior Research Scientist Analysis of Trace Metals Cebam can provide method detection limits (MDL) of 10 to 100 times lower than those using existing EPA methods for GFAA metals in a variety of sample matrices using pre-concentration techniques. Based on different metals, sample matrix and special requirements of clients, different pre-concentration techniques are applied. Typical pre-concentration techniques used at Cebam include, but not limited to, - Hydride generation Pd coated platform in situ collection - Chelation/solvent extraction - Sub boiling evaporation - Co-precipitation Speciation of Trace Metals Cebam specializes in providing analytical services for speciation of Trace metals. Based on different speciation definitions, the capabilities include, but not limited to, - Redox species - Organo-metallic species - Particulate and dissolved species - Selective extracting species - Sequential extracting species Most common services provided by Cebam for speciation of metals include, but not limited to, (Analyte / Method / MDL) Mercury in water samples Total Hg / EPA 1631 / 0.2 ng/L Methyl Hg / EPA 1630 modified / 0.02 ng/L Inorganic Hg / EPA 1631 modified / 0.1 ng/L Dimethyl Hg / EPA 1630 modified / 0.0002 ng/L Elemental Hg / Purge, trap, AFS / 0.1 ng/L Mercury in soil and other solid samples Total Hg / EPA 1631 modified / 0.5 ng/g Methyl Hg / EPA 1630 modified / 0.02 ng/g Inorganic Hg / Leaching, EPA 1631 modified / 0.3 ng/g Elemental Hg / thermal evaporation, trap, AFS / 0.2 ng/g Mercury in crude oil and related products Total Hg / Combustion, trap / 0.05 ng/g Arsenic in water samples Total As / Hydride generation-Pd coated platform collection-GFAAS / 0.3 ng/L Inorganic As / EPA 1632 / 3 ng/L As(III) / EPA 1632 modified / 4 ng/L As(III) / APDC Chelation-solvent extraction-GFAAS / 0.05 ug/L As(V) / EPA 1632 modified / 8 ng/L As(V) / APDC Chelation-solvent extraction-GFAAS / 0.10 ug/L Arsenic in soil / sediment samples As(III) / Acid leaching-APDC chelation-solvent extraction-GFAAS / 0.04 ug/g As(V) / Acid leaching-APDC chelation-solvent extraction-GFAAS / 0.08 ug/g Selenium in water samples Se(IV) / Hydride generation-cryogenic trapping-quartz furnace AA / 20 ng/L Se(VI) / Hydride generation-cryogenic trapping-quartz furnace AA / 40 ng/L Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) Cebam is an accredited Washington State laboratory. All analyses performed at Cebam are accompanied by explicit QA/QC protocols and procedures. Cebam's QA Manual is available to the clients upon request. Cebam uses several of EPA 1600 series methods to provide analytical services. Cebam is capable of meeting all stringent method based QA requirements at ultra low method detection limits. Cebam is qualified to conduct projects from the US EPA superfund and CLP programs meeting all stringent QA requirements. Cebam has been providing defensible analytical services for projects from superfund sites for US DOE and US EPA since 1996. Cebam has been selected as the EPA referee for the validation of EPA Method 245.7. For the past years, US DOE and other government agencies audited Cebam annually. All standard solutions used at Cebam are traced to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards. In addition, Cebam uses certified reference materials with various matrices produced by NIST, National Research Council of Canada (NRCC), and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Cebam keeps participating in inter-laboratory comparison exercises and always generates excellent results. One of them is a long term comparison exercise, the Hair Mercury Inter-Laboratory Comparison Program, organized by Medical Services Branch of Health Canada. Cebam analyzes 3 hair samples quarterly for the project and always generates top quality results. Cebam has also participated in certification of methyl mercury concentration in IAEA142 tissue, IAEA 356 sediment samples organized by IAEA. Cebam is now working on a comparison project, Mercury in Crude Oil, sponsored by US EPA and American Petroleum Institute (API). Cebam uses the combustion method that Cebam developed for the project. Data deliverables Cebam provides several levels of data reporting to meet specific project needs of our clients. Tier I, Tier II, Tier III, or Tier IV. If Tier II, III or IV are required, please request this service prior to issue of your purchase order. Tier I includes a transmittal letter, tabular sample analytical results, method blank results, method detection limits, and certified or standard reference material results, as well as chain-of custody forms. Tier II, in addition to Tier I, includes results of MS and either duplicate or MSD samples. There will be a charge for these QC samples unless eight or more samples of the same matrix and the same analyte are submitted to Cebam at the same time. In addition to the Tier II deliverables, Tier III includes copies of all raw data, analytical sheets and instrument printouts. This report package may include an additional charge of 15% or more depending upon specific project quality assurance requirements. All QC samples may be billed as individual samples. Tier IV is a complete Contract Laboratory Program equivalent data package generated using CLP forms and deliverable requirements as specified in the EPA Contract Laboratory Program Statement of Work. For this package, the required QC samples by the method are billable. If the method to be used does not specify the frequency of QC samples, generally, a duplicate, a spike and a lab control sample, per sample delivery group (SDG) of 20 samples or less. Please ask for a specific quote for this service. Ultra Clean Sample Handling Sample receipt, storage, preparation, and analysis at Cebam are performed in the class 100 clean area. All bottles and materials to be used for samples are pre-cleaned using the procedures specified in appropriate EPA methods. To avoid possible sample contamination at fields, clients are encouraged to ship samples overnight to Cebam for preservation. Rapid Turn-Around Time Cebam's standard turn-around time (TAT) is 3 weeks. There will be additional charges for expedited services. Typically, 24-48 hours: 100%, 3 working days: 50%, 5 working days: 30%. Bottles and Shipping Containers Pre-cleaned bottles and shipping containers are provided free of charge and are shipped via UPS ground. Shipping charges will be applied for expedited delivery of bottles and containers. A bottle preparation charge will be applied when a large number of sample bottles are requested for a project, but only a few samples are ultimately analyzed. Past Performance Cebam has vast experience and expertise in the development and application of analytical methods for the determination and speciation of mercury and other metals at ultra trace levels in a variety of environmental samples. Since it was founded, Cebam has developed an outstanding reputation by providing high quality results at competitive prices with rapid turn around time. Cebam has served as a reference laboratory to provide analytical services for purpose of quality assurance and validation of results or methods used in both legal cases and research projects. Cebam has been selected as the EPA referee for the validation of EPA Method 245.7. Cebam is active in participating in comparison exercises and certification of reference materials. In legal cases, the results Cebam provided were always highly defensible. In cases of results comparison, methods validation, and reference materials certification, Cebam always provided results close to mean values. Cebam has provided analytical services for environmental monitoring and research projects to federal and state government agencies, universities, environmental consulting companies, toxicological and analytical research and testing laboratories. References for the past performance are available upon requests. Facility and Equipment Cebam Analytical, Inc. is a small minority and woman employee-owned specialty analytical laboratory. The laboratory occupies a 1000 square foot laboratory and office space rented from an adjoining environmental laboratory, Aquatic Research, Inc. Cebam's laboratory is housed in a secured building with a separate ventilation system. The system is equipped with two GM-10 Class 100 Clean Air Hoods and a specially constructed high flow ventilation nonmetal fume hood. The 100 clean air hood is continually producing clean air to the laboratory, while the ventilation draws large volume of air out of the laboratory through the fume hood. This large air flow ensures high fresh and clean air circulation in the laboratory. Sample receipt area: Cebam has a clean room for receipt and safe handling of EPA samples. The clean room was built according to EPA guidance on establishing trace metal clean room in existing facilities. Storage area: In the clean room area, Cebam has sufficient refrigerator and freezer space to maintain samples and digestates. Standards are stored separately. Sample preparation area: Samples are prepared at Cebam in the clean room area with chemical resistant bench tops and an exhaust hood. Standards are prepared in an isolated area. The quality of DDW meets the requirements of EPA1600 series methods. Analytical balances are located in a temperature stable area. Data handling and packing area: Cebam has an office with two computers, printers, copy machine, telephone, fax, desks, cabinets for data handling, packing, and shipping analytical data and other deliverables. Cebam has enough equipment for providing analytical services described above. Two mercury analysis systems and many gold traps and Tenax traps are used for total and methyl mercury analysis respectively. Analyzers are connected with computer software data requisition and analysis system for producing high quality data. A FAA is used for construction of the systems with a cryogenic GC column and a quartz furnace for speciation of arsenic and selenium using EPA Method 1632. A GFAA combined with a hydride generation vessel is used for analyses of hydride forming metals by hydride generation, Pd coated platform in situ collection, and GFAAS detection. Cebam has hundreds Teflon bottles in various sizes for collection of water samples for mercury analysis and speciation using EPA 1631 and EPA 1630. Cebam also has enough general lab equipment and materials such as analytical and top loading balances, ovens, refrigerators, freezers, flow meters, desiccator cabinets, pumps, bubblers to provide various analytical services. Special Services Biological Monitoring of Health Effects of Dental Mercury Amalgams Cebam Analytical is quite experienced in the field of monitoring of health effects of dental amalgams. Mercury species, Hg0, Hg2+, methyl Hg in particulate or dissolved in cavity air, saliva, urine, feces, blood and restored dental materials have been identified and quantified in Cebam's lab during past years. Cebam has provided analytical services for the research project, Children's Amalgam Trial Study, funded by U.S. National Institute of Health and the Portuguese government. Cebam provides mercury speciation and analysis in biological and environmental samples. Results obtained are satisfactory. Survey of Mercury and Other Metals in Crude Oil and Related Products A technique of on line- one step thermal decomposition for determination of mercury in variety of samples, especially for crude oil and related products, and taconite samples has been developed and refined by Cebam several years ago. Services of mercury survey in crude oil and its products have been provided to refinery companies in the United States and government agencies. High quality Results satisfied our clients. Biological Monitoring of Toxic Metals Cebam's Senior Research Scientist, Dr. Liang, is highly experienced in the field. She has been involved in developing analytical methods for determination of trace metals in biological samples, and applying the methods to many biological monitoring, pharmacokinetics study and epidemiologic research projects of toxic metals for the past years. Under Dr. Liang's supervition, Cebam provides extensive services to research and monitoring projects of universities, hospitals, and institutes. Biological materials routinely analyzed in Cebam include blood, urine, saliva, bile, tissues, bone, and hair from both human and experimental animals. Development of Advanced Techniques The development of advanced techniques to meet the needs of our clients is one of Cebam's primary tasks. Dr. Liang and her colleagues have developed many advanced techniques for speciation and analysis of mercury and other trace metals in a variety of complex matrices. As a typical example, analysis of crude oil and its products for mercury has been a challenge in analytical chemistry. Because of the lack of reliable methods, the amount of mercury in crude oil presently estimated by US EPA are based on data acquired for specific purposes in which mercury is problematic and likely are biased high. Dr. Liang started to develop methods in 1994. She has developed and published two techniques on the topic. The first technique is based on BrCl oxidation, acid extraction and CVAFS detection. The second technique is based on thermal decomposition and combustion, CVAFS detection. Hundreds of samples mostly collected from the United States have been analyzed, and satisfactory results generated for clients from refinery industry and government agencies. Concentrations of mercury in crude oil and its products in the Sates were found far below that EPA estimated. Results generated using combustion method have been compared with those by RNAA, and good agreement was obtained. In addition, data of QC samples analyzed with oil samples were acceptable indicating that results were correct and the method was reliable. Cebam provides services for development of custom procedures for analysis of difficult samples and solving problems in special situations. Contact Information Patrck Pang, Lab manager, Pang@cebam.net Lian Liang, Senior Research Scientist, Liang@cebam.net Resume of Dr. Lian Liang Major Areas - Development of analytical methods for determination and speciation of metals at ultra trace levels in environmental and biological materials as well as industrial products - Environmental monitoring and survey of trace metals - Biological monitoring of health effects of trace elements and their species, such as mercury, arsenic, aluminum, lead, cadmium, and iron - Biological monitoring of health effects of dental mercury amalgams - Analysis of crude oil and its products for mercury and other trace metals - Development of custom analytical methods for specialized situations and research efforts Education Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Antwerp, Belgium B.S. Chemistry, Guizhou Normal University, China Expertise Dr. Liang has been involved in analytical, environmental, clinical, and toxicological chemistry for over 25 years in laboratories in China, Belgium, United States, and International Atomic Energy Agency. During this time, she has gained vast experience and expertise in the development and application of analytical methods for the determination and speciation of trace metals and other elements in a variety of sample matrices. Dr. Liang started her professional career as an analytical chemist in 1973. From 1979-87, she was the director of Dept. of Environmental Health and Laboratories of Instrumental Analysis, Guangxi Province Anti-Epidemic and Hygiene Center in China, which provide extensive analytical research and testing services, including organic and inorganic analyses, in the environmental, foods, industrial, pharmaceuticals, clinical and agricultural fields. Dr. Liang organized QA/QC interlaboratory comparison programs involving 36 labs in Guangxi Province concerned with the analysis of trace elements and other components in natural waters. She also organized environmental, and biological monitoring programs in Guangxi Province, as well as assessments of the health effects of human exposure to toxic metals. In 1987, Dr. Liang began graduate studies at the University of Antwerp, Belgium. Here, she furthered her studies of trace element determinations in the analytical, biological, clinical and toxicological chemistry fields. Her doctoral research involved the development of analytical methods for determination of trace metals in biological materials, and their application in pharmacokinetics experiments and clinical monitoring. From 1991-92, Dr. Liang conducted research in biogeochemical cycling of mercury in the environment as a post-doctoral researcher at Brooks Rand, Ltd., in Seattle. Here, she and her colleagues were very active in improving and developing methods for the speciation of mercury in environmental and biological samples. These methods have been extensively used worldwide. From 1992-94, Dr. Liang served as the head chemist at Brooks Rand, Ltd. in Seattle, continuing her mercury research. In addition, she developed new methods for speciation of metals other than mercury such as selenium and arsenic. From 1994-95, Dr. Liang worked as a consultant in the Marine Environmental Study Laboratories at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Monaco. Here, she helped to develop analytical methods for speciation of organometallic complexes in marine samples, to produce certified reference materials, and to train visiting scientists from around the world. In 1995, Dr. Liang worked as a consulting research scientist at the University of Rochester involved in a study of the human health effects of methyl mercury exposure. From August 1995, Dr. Liang has worked as a senior research scientist at CEBAM Analytical, Inc. She and her colleagues continue to provide analytical services and research for projects related to speciation of mercury, selenium, arsenic and other trace metals. To meet clients' goals she works also on development of custom analytical methods for specialized situations and research efforts. She and her colleagues have been involved in validation of EPA's Methods. Dr. Liang has over 70 publications since 1981, including peer review articles, conference proceedings and presentations related to the development of analytical methods in environmental, biological and clinical fields. Honors: * Recipient of the Science and Technology Advantage Award of Chinese Ministry of Public Health, 1991. * Recipient of the Science and Technology Advantage Award of Guangxi Province, China, 1986. Selected Publications (1985 - 2003) Journal Articles Liang, L., Horvat, L., Li, H.,. Pang, P., 2003, Determination of Mercury in Taconite by Combustion/Trap/Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry, JAAS, Submitted for publication Liang, L., Horvat, M.,  Fajon, V., Prosenc, N., Li, H.,  Pang, P., 2003, Comparison of Improved Combustion/Trap Technique to Wet Extraction Methods for Determination of Mercury in Crude Oil and Related Products by Atomic Fluorescence, Energy & Fuels, in press   Liang, L., Lazoff, S., Gilkeson, J., Swain, E., Horvat, M., 2000, Determination of Mercury in crude oil by in-situ thermal decomposition using a simple lab built system, Fresenius J Anal Chem, 367: 8-11   Liang, L., Evens, C., Lazoff, S., Woods, J.S., Cernichiari, E., Horvat, M., Martin, M.D., DeRouen, T., 2000, Determination of methyl mercury in whole blood by ethylation-GC- CVAFS after alkaline digestion-solvent extraction, Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 24, 328- 332 Liang, L., Evens, C., Lazoff, S., Woods, J.S., Cernichiari, E., Horvat, M., Martin, M.D., DeRouen, T., 1998, Determination of Methyl Mercury (MeHg) in Whole Blood by Ethylation/GC/CVAFS after Alkaline Digestion / Solvent Extraction, to be submitted for publication Liang, L., Lazoff, S., Gilkeson, J., Swain, E., Horvat, M., 1998, On-line thermal decomposition Method for Determination of Total Mercury (THg) in a variety of samples, to be submitted for publication Liang L., Lazoff S., Chan C., Horvat M., Woods J., 1998, Determination of arsenic in ambient water at sub-part-per-trillion levels by hydride generation Pd coated platform collection and GFAAS detection, Talanta, 47, 569 Liang L., Horvat M., Cernichiari E., Gelein B., Balogh S., 1996, A simple solvent extraction technique for elimination of matrix interferences on determination of methyl mercury in environmental and biological samples by GC/CVAFS after ethylation reaction, Talanta, 43, 1883-1888 Liang L., Horvat M., Danilchik P., 1996, A novel analytical method for determination of picogram levels of mercury in petroleum based products, the Science of the Total Environmental, The Science of the Total Environment, 187, 57-64 Liang L., Brooks R., 1995, Mercury reactions in human mouth with dental amalgams, Water, Air and Soil Pollution, 80,103 Liang L., Bloom N.S., and Horvat M., 1994, Simultaneous determination of mercury speciation in biological materials by GC/CVAFS after Ethylation and room temperature precollection, Clin. Chem., 40,4,602. Liang L., Horvat M., and Bloom N.S., 1994, An improved speciation method for mercury by GC/CVAFS after aqueous phase ethylation and room temperature precollection, Talanta, 41,3,371. Liang L., Danilchik P., and Huang Z.E., 1994, Elimination of the experimental condition dependence in the determination of selenium in water, sediment, coal and biological samples by hydride generation technique, At. Spectr., 7,6. Liang L., and Bloom N.S., 1993, Determination of total mercury by single-stage gold amalgamation with cold vapor atomic spectrometry, JAAS, 8,591 Liang L., 1992, Fast furnace analysis of aluminum and iron in bone and soft tissues, spectrochimica. Acta. 47B,2,239. Liang L., D'Haese P.C., Lamberts L.V., Van de Vyver F.L., and De Broe M.E., 1991, Determination of gadolinium in biological materials using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with a tantalum boat after solvent extraction, Analytical Chemistry, 63,423. Liang L., D'Haese P.C., Lamberts L.V., and De Broe M.E., 1991, Direct calibration for determining aluminum in bone and soft tissues by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, Clin. Chem., 37,3,461. Liang L., D'Haese P.C., Lamberts L.V., and De Broe M.E., 1989, Direct determination of iron in urine and serum using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, Analyst, 114,143. Liang L., Direct determination of lead in urine by Zeeman atomic absorption spectrometry with the stabilized temperature platform furnace, Spectrochim. Acta., 41B, 1131. Liang L., 1986, Flameless AAS direct determination of cadmium and lead in whole blood with Zeeman background correction, J. Physical Testing and Chem. Anal., Part B, Chemical Analysis, 22,141. Liang L., 1985, Direct determination of cadmium in urine by stabilized temperature platform flameless ZAAS, J. Bull. Testing, 4,5. Stone, ME., Cohen, ME., Liang, L., Pang, P., 2003, Determination of methyl mercury in dental-unit wastewater, Dental Materials, in press   Evens, C.C., Martin, M. D., Woods, J. S., Soares, H. L., Bernardo, M., Leitao, J., Simmonds, P. L., Liang, L., DeRouen, T., 2001, Examination of Dietary methylmercury exposure in the case pia study of the health effects of dental amlgams in children, Journal of Toxicilogy and Environmental Health, Part A, 64:521-530   Tan, H., He, J.L., Liang, L., Lazoff, S., Sommer, J., Xiao, Z.F., Lindqvist, O., 2000, Atmospheric Mercury Deposition in Guizhou of China, The Sciences of Total Environmental, 259, 223-230 Cernichiari E., Toribara T. Y., Liang L., Marsh D. O., Berlin M. W., Myers G. J., Cox C., Shamlaye C. F., Choisy O., Davidson P., and Clarkson T. W., 1995 The Biological Monitoring of Mercury in the Seychelles Study, Neuro Toxicology, 16(4): 613-628 Sellars W.A., Sellars R., Liang L., and Helfley J., 1996, Methyl mercury in dental amalgams in the human mouth, Journal of Environmental Medicine, Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, 6, 33-36 Balogh S., and Liang L., 1995, Mercury pathway in municipal waste water treatment plant, Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 80,1181 Horvat M., Mandic V., Liang L., Bloom N.S., Padberg S., Lee Y. H., Hintelman H., and Benoit J., Certification of methyl mercury compounds concentration in marine sediment reference materiel, IAEA-356, Applied Organometallic Chemistry, 8,533. Horvat M., Bloom N.S., and Liang L., 1993, A comparison of distillation with other current isolation methods for determination of methyl mercury compounds in low level environmental samples, Part 1: Sediment, Anal. Chim. Acta., 281, 135. Horvat M., Liang L., and Bloom N.S., 1993, A comparison of distillation with other current isolation methods for the determination of methyl mercury compounds in low level environmental samples, part 2: Water, Anal. Chim. Acta. 282,153. D'Haese P.C., Lamberts L.V., Liang L., and De Broe M.E., 1991, Elimination of matrix and spectral interferences in the measurement of lead and cadmium in urine and blood by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with deuterium background correction, Clin. Chem., 37,9, 1583. D'Haese P.C., Lamberts L.V., Liang L., Boone L.P., Van Wealeghem J.P., and De Broe M.E.,1991, Contribution of parenteral and dialysis solution to the aluminum accumulation in dialysis patients, Blood Purif., 8,359. Cheng Z.G., and Liang L., 1987, Assessment of Guangxi human exposure to lead and cadmium through biological monitoring, J. Guangxi Med., 9,148 Resume of Patrick Pang Patrick Pang Laboratory Manager Cebam Analytical, Inc. Email: pang@cebam.net Education Ph.D. Program, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Missouri M.S. Electrical Engineering, University of Missouri B.S. Electrical Engineering, University of Illinois Expertise Mr. Pang has been involved in the computer system and software designs, development, and Quality Assurance since 1970. In 1997 Mr. Pang began to work with Cebam as a computer specialist while receiving training in analytical chemistry under the supervision of Dr. Lian Liang. During the time he became familiar with Cebam's services. He has demonstrated his ability in using EPA 1631 and EPA 1630 methods for analysis of Total and Methyl mercury in various samples. He is now working for Cebam as the laboratory manager and analyst.