Marchwood Scientific Services Ltd (MSSL) the independent laboratory located near Southampton,UK, has further enhanced its dioxin analysis capability by taking delivery of the latest model HighResolution GCMS instrument from Waters Micromass. This is the most modern instrument of itstype available and is widely recognised by specialists as the preferred instrument for analysingdioxins in environmental and food samples. This new instrument supplements the existingmachine also supplied by Waters Micromass and now means that MSSL have the 2 mostmodern instruments for dioxin analysis in the UK.

Commented MSSLs Managing Director John Fursman “Buying new instrumentation like this is a significant financial investment for us but it means that we can stay one step ahead and provide the dioxin analysis to the very highest standard. These 2 instruments are able to operate at very low levels of sensitivity- down to femtogram levels which enables us to meet all the new standards being introduced including for animal feedstuffs etc. To put this level of accuracy in context we are looking at the equivalent of analysing a droplet of water in an Olympic size swimming pool!”

Dioxins, furans and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of toxic chemicals that persist in the environment, bio-accumulate through the food chain and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment. They can cause impairment of the immune system, the endocrine system and the reproductive functions and are also suspected of causing cancer. Foetuses and newborn children are most sensitive to exposure. There is considerable public, political and scientific concern over the negative effects on human health and on the environment of long-term exposure to even the smallest amounts of dioxins, furans and PCBs.

A general reduction in levels of dioxins, furans and PCBs has already been achieved over the last two decades and legislation is becoming more and more stringent with lower and lower limits being legislated in the environment and for food and feedstuffs. It is therefore vitally important that the very latest instrumentation and robust test methods are employed for the analysis.

For further information contact Michelle Gibbins, Press Liaison Officer on 02380 669126.

Marchwood Scientific Services
Marchwood Industrial Park
Southampton
Hants
SO40 4BJ