Air Toxicity Testing

Air toxicity testing is the comprehensive assessment of harmful substances to identify potential health hazards and develop targeted mitigation strategies. By combining cutting-edge analytical techniques with innovative biological assessment methods, we can provide our clients with a comprehensive understanding of their air quality challenges and develop tailored solutions to protect human health and the environment.

Introduction to Air Toxicity Testing

Indoor and outdoor air quality is a crucial factor in maintaining human health and environmental sustainability. However, the complex mixture of chemical pollutants, particulates, and biological contaminants present in air can pose significant risks to our well-being.

Traditionally, air quality evaluations have relied on the measurement of individual chemical concentrations, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, and carbon dioxide. While these targeted approaches provide some insight, they fail to capture the true nature of air pollution, which often arises from the synergistic effects of multiple compounds present at low levels. Modern air toxicity testing employs a more holistic, mixture-based approach to better understand the combined impact of these contaminants on human health and the environment.

Sources and hazards of air toxicity.Fig. 1 The hazards of air toxicity. (Gangwar R. S., et al., 2020)

Methods of Air Toxicity Testing

Targeted Chemical Analysis

Comprehensive air toxicity testing begins with the identification and quantification of a wide range of chemical compounds, including VOCs, semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), combustion byproducts, and emerging contaminants. Techniques such as parts-per-billion photo-ionizing detectors and EPA TO-15 mass spectrometry analysis provide a detailed chemical profile of the air samples.

Mixture Toxicity Evaluation

Traditional risk assessment approaches that focus on individual chemical concentrations often fail to capture the true complexity of air pollution. Air toxicity testing addresses this gap by investigating the synergistic and antagonistic effects of chemical mixtures. This mixture toxicity evaluation helps to identify potential health risks that may be overlooked when only considering the toxicity of individual compounds.

Biological Assays

To assess the potential health impacts of air pollutant mixtures, air toxicity testing employs a battery of in vitro bioassays. These cell-based methods evaluate various toxicological endpoints, including cytotoxicity, immunotoxicity, skin sensitization, and endocrine disruption.

Non-targeted Screening

In addition to targeted chemical analysis, air toxicity testing also incorporates non-targeted "total chemical scans" to identify the presence of unknown or unexpected compounds in air samples. This approach can reveal the presence of emerging contaminants or unregulated substances that may contribute to the overall toxicity of the air.

Our Services

At CD BioSciences, we offer comprehensive air toxicity testing services to help our clients identify and mitigate potential health and environmental risks. Our team of experienced scientists and technical experts utilize the latest analytical methods and in vitro bioassays to provide a thorough assessment of air quality.

Our air toxicity testing services include:

  • Targeted chemical analysis for a wide range of pollutants, including VOCs, SVOCs, and combustion byproducts
  • Advanced in vitro bioassays to evaluate cytotoxicity, immunotoxicity, skin sensitization, and endocrine disruption
  • Mixture toxicity evaluation to assess the combined effects of air pollutant mixtures
  • Non-targeted screening to identify unknown or emerging contaminants
  • Detailed reporting and recommendations for targeted risk reduction strategies

Our advanced capabilities include:

  • Pesticide and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) detection using polyurethane foam (PUF) sampling
  • Dioxin and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) analysis through PUF/XAD cartridges and quartz fiber filters
  • Heavy metals, dioxins, and furans assessment in deposition samples

Why Choose Us?

By partnering with our network of accredited laboratories around the world, we ensure that our clients receive timely and accurate results to make informed decisions and implement effective mitigation strategies. If you are interested in our services, please contact us for more information.

Reference

  1. Gangwar, Roopesh Singh, et al. "Oxidative stress pathways of air pollution mediated toxicity: Recent insights." Redox biology 34 (2020): 101545.

Our products and services are for research use only and cannot be used for any clinical purposes.

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