The environmental laboratory was hot on its heels with its first results in the first week of July. Its capabilities include total petroleum hydrocarbon criteria working group data; total petroleum hydrocarbons; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; volatile organic compounds; benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene; polychlorinated biphenyls and solvent extractable matter. Semi-volatile organic compounds will be added soon.
The demand for the services of this laboratory is huge and we have well advanced plans for adding to the existing equipment and the necessary space. A container of geotechnical equipment has recently arrived and additional analytical instruments for the environmental laboratory will arrive by air shortly. As part of our plan to service clients effectively and our commitment to the local community, seven Iraqi graduates have recently started and we will be employing more. The geotechnical laboratory is proving particularly popular: we will introduce a 24-hour shift pattern when our local technicians are trained.
A pre-assessment by a Saudi accrediting body for accreditation to BS EN ISO 17025 is planned for October. This is a critical step for the laboratory and its ability to service the many potential clients in Iraq.
For more information, please contact John Gustafson.
