Participation in the PFAS Technical Day with AXELERA

Posted on 25 November 2024 - 15h30 by TERA ENVIRONNEMENT

Participation in the PFAS Technical Day with AXELERA

On November 21, 2024, we were able to take part in the PFAS Technical Day organized by AXELERA. This event was a valuable opportunity to share and discuss significant advances in the field of per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS).

PFAS are chemical compounds that persist in the environment and the body, and are associated with various health problems such as cancer, hormonal disorders and thyroid disease.

TERA Environnement & Toxilabo, entities of the Groupe TERA, presented their progress in developing methods for analyzing PFAS in the air.

PFAS in Atmospheric emission & Occupational exposure

PFAS in Indoor Air & Ambient Air

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Jean Rousseau from ToxiLabo & Vincent Ricard from TERA Environnement

During the day, we were honored to present the progress of our work on PFAS. Jean Rousseau from ToxiLabo opened the session by presenting the advances made in Nantes concerning Occupational exposure and Atmospheric emission. For our part, TERA Environnement highlighted developments in ambient and indoor air quality (IAQ).

The discussions were rich and constructive, underlining the shared determination of laboratories, institutions, authorities, cities and industry to work together to make rapid and effective progress on this crucial subject. The day was marked by fruitful exchanges and a shared determination to find innovative solutions for PFAS management.

“We would like to extend our warmest thanks to Aline Richir for her exemplary organization of this event, and to all the participants for their commitment and contributions. The day was a great success, and we look forward to continuing this collaborative dynamic.”

Measurement of nitrosamines in air

Posted on 18 November 2024 - 18h19 by TERA ENVIRONNEMENT

Measurement of nitrosamines in air

What are Nitrosamines?

Nitrosamines are formed by a nitrosation reaction between nitrites or nitrates and amines or amides.

Some nitrosamines are classified as carcinogenic to humans: certain carcinogens (Group 1) and probable carcinogens (Group 2A). Because they are so dangerous, it is essential to be able to measure and quantify them.

Where do airborne nitrosamines come from?

Atmospheric emissions & Ambient air

Industrial emissions: Industrial processes, especially those involving high temperatures and chemical reactions, can promote the formation of nitrosamines. For example, industries using nitrites as preservatives or in manufacturing processes can generate nitrosamines.
Exhaust gases : Vehicle internal combustion engines produce nitrogen oxides (NOx) and hydrocarbons. These compounds can react together to form nitrosamines, especially under conditions of high temperature and pressure.
Tobacco smoke: Tobacco naturally contains amines and nitrates. During combustion, these substances react to form nitrosamines, which are then inhaled by smokers and people exposed to second-hand smoke.

Workplace air / Occupational exposure

Rubber industry: Nitrosamines can be formed during the manufacture of rubber products such as drive belts and tires.

Pharmaceutical industry: some active ingredients and drugs may contain nitrosamines as impurities.

Food industry: Nitrosamines can be formed in processed foods, such as cured meats, smoked fish and certain beverages like beer.

Plastics industry: Plastic components used in the manufacture of consumer goods can also release nitrosamine precursors.

LC-MS/MS analysis of nitrosamines after sampling on Thermosorb/N support for nitrosamines

Extraction of sampled Thermosorb/N to obtain a filtrate

LC-MS/MS analysis of nitrosamines in filtrate

List of nitrosamines available for analysis in our laboratory

N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) under CAS number: 62-75-9
N-Nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) under CAS number: 55-18-5
N-Nitrosodipropylamine (NDPA) under CAS number: 621-64-7
N-Nitrosodiisopropylamine (NDIPA) under CAS number: 601-77-4
N-Nitrosodibutylamine (NDBA) under CAS number: 924-16-3
N-Nitrosomorpholine (NMOR) under CAS number: 59-89-2
N-Nitrosopiperidine (NPIP) under CAS number: 100-75-4
N-Nitrosopyrrolidine (NPYR) under CAS number: 930-55-2
N-Nitrosomethylethylamine (NMEA) under CAS number: 10595-95-6

Contact us to find out more about our media supply and analysis services.

Do you have any questions or do you need a quote? Contact us to find out more about our analysis services.

Organic contamination control in cleanrooms – WOS ATD GCMS

Posted on 14 October 2024 - 19h20 by TERA ENVIRONNEMENT

Organic contamination control in cleanrooms – WOS ATD GCMS

TERA Environnement has been specialized in clean room contamination control for over 20 years!

What are the sources of contamination in cleanrooms?

Cleanrooms can be contaminated by organic compounds resulting from construction or manufacturing through building materials, consumables, gases and other sources.

Detection & characterization

DETECTION: Setup of wafers to monitor air contamination in a cleanroom
CHARACTERIZATION: Characterization of contamination to identify its source

Why is it important to control organic contamination in cleanrooms?

Process optimization & cost reduction

By identifying contaminants, the manufacturing processes are optimized, defects are reduced, and product performance is improved.
By detecting and eliminating organic contaminants, high costs associated with production defects and product returns are avoided.

TERA Environnement’s 3-step laboratory approach

1- Samples processing

6-, 8- or 12-inches silicon wafers that were exposed in a cleanroom for 1 to 7 days can be handled by this method.

2- Wafer Outgassing System (WOS)

A single wafer is laid flat on the WOS.

High-temperature heating as well as gas circulating in the WOS allow molecules collected on the wafer surface during the cleanroom exposure to be outgassed.

OUTGASSED COMPOUNDS are collected in a thermodesorption tube.

3- Outgassed compounds analyzed with ATD GC MS

COMPOUNDS ANALYZED: Organophosphates, Phthalates, Siloxanes, Screening of major compounds.

PRECISE DETECTION AT VERY LOW LEVELS: from 0,01 to 0,1 ng/cm² ensuring reliable detection of impurities.

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To find out more, have a look at our services for cleanroom air analysis, surface contamination and outgassing measurements.

Do you have any questions or do you need a quote? Contact us to find out more about our analysis services.

New Indoor Air Quality offer

Posted on 5 July 2024 - 12h17 by TERA ENVIRONNEMENT

New Indoor Air Quality offer

TERA Environnement dispose de plus de 20 ans d´expérience dans l´analyse de l´air et notamment dans l´analyse d´air intérieur. Cela nous permet de vous proposer aujourd´hui une offre adaptée pour vous accompagner dans le cadre des différents référentiels existants pour la certification des bâtiments.

Une OFFRE COMPLÈTE pour vous accompagner dans vos campagnes de mesures d´air visant des certifications bâtiments !

Notre nouvelle offre QAI vous permet de réaliser les mesures pour différentes certifications existantes, entre autres :

Sans oublier d´autres thématiques sur lesquelles nous pouvons également vous accompagner :

Etablissements Recevant du Public (crèches, écoles, …) selon LAB REF 30
Diagnostic (identification de sources d’émission) & Monitoring
Accompagnement sur les problématiques sensibles (intoxication, Syndrome Bâtiment Malsain)

Des analyses peuvent être réalisées en urgence (de 24 à 72h) ou dans le cadre d´astreinte le week-end & jour férié.