Laboratory
Environmental Measurements
Accredited laboratory services delivering reliable environmental data across air, noise, soil, waste and indoor environments.
Our company performs stack emissions measurements, indoor air quality and workplace air quality measurements, air quality, environmental noise measurements, as well as waste and soil sampling.
TERRA NEUTRAL IKE has developed a specialised air pollution measurement laboratory holding Accreditation in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 (Accredited Laboratory by ESYD, Certificate No. 792-5 in Testing) for the measurement of stack emissions from stationary sources (total gaseous organic carbon, volatile organic compounds, flue gases — nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide — dust, water vapour, metals, quality control of automated dust measurement systems), ambient air quality (suspended particles PM10 and PM2.5), indoor air quality, and workplace air quality for occupational safety and health (metals, suspended particles, asbestos, volatile organic compounds, noise exposure), for the measurement of environmental noise, as well as for soil, water and waste sampling — ensuring the quality of all measurement results.
In test reports where a result is compared against a limit value, the laboratory applies the DECISION RULE. The application of the Decision Rule when comparing measurement results with the applicable limit value aims to mitigate the risk of making an incorrect decision.
Measurements are performed for various clients including:
- Construction companies
- Industrial activities
- Energy production units
- Waste management units
- Facility Managers
Air Emissions
Industrial activities are obligated to monitor air emissions from stacks or ducts. We perform stack emissions measurements based on the individual requirements and needs of each client. The parameters that are measured are:
- Dust
- Volatile organic compounds
- NOx, CO, CO2, O2, SO2
- Metals
- Total Organic Carbon (TOC)
- Dioxins etc.
Odour
Odour derives from a number of compounds which have a particularly low odour threshold, such as aldehydes and ketones, etc.
Odour concentration is measured in ou/m³ units. n-butanol is used as a standard gas in order to calibrate the laboratory team members to perform the measurements. The odour concentration is measured using EN13725 standard dynamic olfactometer method. An alternative method of odour field measurement is the GRID method (EN16841-1).
Air Pollutants
We have the capacity to consult and support our clients in the development of appropriate sampling management plans and the performance of measurements for the evaluation of the exposure of the employees to hazardous compounds as well as for the environment. These parameters include:
- Volatile organic compounds
- Dust
- Metals
- Aldehydes
- Ketones
- Amines
- Anesthetic gases
- Mercaptans
- Ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides
- PAHs
- Hydrogen sulfide
- Ammonia
- Crystalline silicon
Noise
Environmental noise assessment is carried out following international standards (ISO 1996-1, ISO 1996-2:2017), which aim at estimating noise levels (Leq) and noise indicators (Lden and Lnight) in accordance to the requirements of the legislation (PD 1180/81, MD D7/A/12050/2223/2011, JMD 13586/724/2006, PD 455/1976).
The measurement of employees' exposure to noise is performed according to the international standards (EN ISO 9612:2009) and the legislative requirements (PD 149/2006, MD D7/Α/12050/2223/2011).
It is important to design a specific noise measurement plan, depending on the type of noise source and its characteristics, the background noise and the purpose of the measurement. Our team performs noise measurements from a variety of sources including:
- Traffic noise
- Airports
- Noise from highways
- Harbors
- Industries
- Heliports
- Noise from equipment
- Labor noise exposure
Indoor Air Quality in Buildings (LEED, BREEAM, WELL)
Terra Neutral performs measurements of indoor air quality aiming at the evaluation of buildings based on international standards LEED, BREEAM, WELL.
The evaluation of indoor air quality and the identification of potential problem sources is performed through audit of the building's main characteristics and measurement of specific parameters that can influence indoor air quality conditions in a building. The results of these measurements are compared to European and international standards (LEED, BREEAM, WELL).
The measurements performed include parameters indicative of the indoor air quality conditions:
- Volatile organic compounds, CO2, suspended particulate matter, CO, ozone, formaldehyde
- Legionella, fungi, bacteria
- Temperature, humidity, air velocity, lighting
Waste Sampling and Characterization
Waste characterization is performed by assessing the potential hazardous properties of waste by analyzing potential chemical compounds contained in the specific waste and selecting the appropriate EWC code taking into account Regulation 1357/2014 and the Commission Communication on Technical Guidance on the Classification of Waste (2018/C 124/01) as well as the Decision 2003/33.
The evaluation is carried out taking into account that hazardous waste means waste which displays one or more of the fifteen hazardous properties listed in Regulation 1357/2014.
Sampling is carried out following appropriate sampling plans and standard methods for which our laboratory is accredited aiming at the collection of representative samples (EN 14899:2005, CEN/TR 15310-1:2006, CEN/TR 15310-2:2006, CEN/TR 15310-3:2006, EN ISO 5667-1, ISO 5667-10:2013, EN ISO 5667-13:2011, ISO 5667-15:2009).
Soil Sampling and Assessment (Environmental Site Assessment)
Environmental Site Assessment and investigation of potential soil contamination of a property arises either in the context of the Baseline Report based on JMD 36060/2013 (Industrial Emission Directive) or in the context of other environmental audits (e.g. Environmental Due Diligence).
This type of sampling and audits are carried out in accordance with the specifications of the soil sampling standards for which our laboratory is accredited (ASTM E 1527-13, ASTM E 1903-11, ISO 10381-1:2002, ISO 18400-101:2017, ISO 18400-102:2017, ISO 10381-5:2005).
The parameters analyzed are determined based on the characteristics of each industrial activity and the chemical compounds used, produced or disposed off. Indicatively:
- Heavy Metals
- Cyanides
- Phenols
- TOC
- TPH – BTEX
- PAHs – polyaromatic hydrocarbons
- PCBs – polychlorinated biphenyls
- PFAS
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