The Environmental Contaminants Analytical Laboratory at the Institute of Energy and the Environment offers comprehensive analytical services for the detection and quantification of emerging and persistent organic pollutants across a wide range of environmental and biological samples. Equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation and supported by established EPA methods, the lab provides both targeted and non-targeted analysis to meet diverse research needs.
Analytical Capabilities
Our laboratory supports research in areas such as water quality, human and ecological health, and environmental monitoring, with expertise in analyzing:
- PFAS Screening (organic fluorine compounds): EPA 1621
- PFAS Targeted and Non-targeted Analysis: EPA 537.1, EPA 1633
- Microplastics and Nanoplastics
- Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products: EPA 1694
- Agricultural Chemicals (pesticides, herbicides – targeted and non-targeted): various methods using GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): EPA 8260D (SW-846)
- Semivolatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs): EPA 8270E (SW-846)
- Dioxins and Furans: EPA 23
- Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH): EPA 8440
Work with Us
The Environmental Contaminants Analytical Laboratory is available to assist both Penn State researchers and external clients from industry, government, and other universities. Get started:
The high-quality work, consistent reliability, and exceptional customer service provided by the team at the Penn State Environmental Contaminants Analytical Laboratory play a vital role in supporting our research. Their expertise and attention to detail are essential to advancing studies on environmental contaminants such as PFAS, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals in rural streams and soils.
Agricultural Engineer, USDA-ARS-Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit
The Environmental Contaminants Analytical Laboratory team brought both expertise and passion to their work, meeting our needs with skill and care. Their results were of the highest quality, delivered with precision and timeliness.
Associate Research Professor
Larson Pennsylvania Transportation Institute
The Environmental Contaminants Analytical Laboratory was an invaluable partner in analyzing over 600 wetland water samples. Their flexibility in developing new methodologies, combined with Odette Mina’s expertise and support from start to finish, made complex analyses seamless and highly reliable.
Assistant Professor, Geography
ECAL provides a supportive environment for our students, ensuring they are trained to process their samples and produce high-quality data. The excellence of the entire team gives me confidence that with ECAL, Penn State researchers can tackle urgent PFAS research questions.
Professor, Agricultural & Biological Engineering
Collaborating with the Environmental Contaminants Analytical Laboratory enables us to quickly develop new materials that can remove emerging contaminants, such as PFAS. The outstanding instruments and dedication to student mentoring makes this facility a key part of our research infrastructure.
IEE Fellow
Professor, Chemical Engineering
I truly value the rare access to a full suite of specialized equipment that would be difficult to acquire or maintain otherwise. The lab also offers a great opportunity to involve graduate students in hands-on training, both in operating the instruments and interpreting the results, adding real depth to their research experience.
Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Research Professor
John and Willie Leone Department of Energy & Mineral Engineering (EME)
By collaborating with the Environmental Contaminants Analytical Laboratory and mentoring the next generation of environmental scientists, we’re not only tackling today’s pollution challenges but also preparing for tomorrow’s.
Associate Professor of Physical Geography and Environmental Studies
The ECAL team has been a pleasure to work with throughout the entire process. From the outset, they partnered closely with us to explore the most appropriate analytical approaches for our project. They maintained clear and consistent communication, provided timely updates, and offered thoughtful discussions of the results.
Assistant Research Professor, Ecosystem Science and Management
Accepted Sample Types
The lab processes a wide range of complex sample matrices to support interdisciplinary research:
Environmental Samples
- Water (e.g. drinking water, surface water, ground water, well water, wastewater)
- Sediment
- Soil
- Biosolids
Aquatic Biological Samples
- Tissues (e.g., fish muscle, gills, gut)
- Blood and components
- Cultured cells from aquatic or marine organisms
Plant Samples
- Tissues from seed, root, stem, leaf, and flower
Human Biological Samples
- Tissues (e.g., skin, muscle, organs)
- Blood and components (e.g., plasma, serum)
- Cells (e.g., cultured cells, stem cells)
Research Projects
The lab subject matter experts have worked with a wide range of clients and researchers with diverse needs including:
- Fate and transport of emerging contaminants in the environment, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs)
- Contaminant uptake in plant tissue and aquatic organisms
- Assess the behavior of contaminants in surface water using Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Sampler (POCIS)
- Examination and quantification of the effectiveness of treatment technologies to remove PFAS from drinking water and wastewater
- Quantification of contaminants from fields receiving wastewater effluent for irrigation or biosolids application
- Microplastics and nanoplastics materials characterization
Who We Serve
The lab is available to researchers across Penn State, as well as to external partners in academia, industry, and government. We are committed to supporting high-quality, impactful research related to environmental health and contaminant exposure.
To learn more about our services or to inquire about sample submission, please contact us.
Analytical Equipment
Sample Preparation
Chemical Characterization
Agilent 8700 Laser Direct Infrared (LDIR)
The Agilent LDIR is a chemical imaging system applies Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) spectroscopy. This system is fully automated, and provides great speed in physical and chemical analysis and characterization of microplastic particles in environmental, biological, food and more.
CDS Pyroprobe 6200
The Pyroprobe 6200 performs a thermal decomposition process of organic material at elevated temperatures in an anaerobic environment. It involves the cleavage of large complex molecules into smaller, more analytically useful fragments through thermal energy.
DART - MS with IonRocket
The Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART-MS) desorbs molecules from surfaces such as leaves, currency, polymers, and packaging materials, directly introducing them to the Orbitrap inlet.
ISQ LT Single Quad GC-MS
The Thermofisher Scientific ISQ LT single quadrupole GC/MS is a high-throughput benchtop instrument that is used to screen, characterize, and quantify organic compounds in diverse matrices.
Q Exactive Orbitrap LC-MS
The Thermofisher Scientific Q Exactive (QE) LC-MS is equipped with electrospray ionization (ESI), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), and direct analysis in real-time (DART) ionization sources.
TSQ 9000 Triple Quad GC-MS/MS
The Thermofisher Scientific Triple Quadrupole (TSQ 9000) GC-MS/MS is equipped with Selective Reaction Monitoring (SRM) and Advanced Electron Ionization (AEI) source that facilitate ultra-sensitive targeted analyses.
In the News
Environmental Contaminants Analytical Laboratory Staff
Addresses
Instrumentation Lab:
242 Energy and Environment Laboratory Building
753 Hastings Road
University Park, PA 16802
Sample Preparation Lab:
269 Energy and Environment Laboratory Building
753 Hastings Road
University Park, PA 16802