Formaldehyde, Haloacetic Acids, and Phenols

Formaldehyde, haloacetic acids, and phenols are disinfection by-products generated from reactions between organic matter in the source water and chlorine in the disinfectant.
Water quality standards for those compounds are specified based on their toxicity. Liquid chromatograph or liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer systems capable of high sensitivity analysis are used to analyze such components.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Moldy Odors

Gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GC-MS) systems are instruments used to analyze a wide range of components, including VOCs and substances that cause moldy odors. Shimadzu also offers various instruments for pretreating samples to improve analysis efficiency based on component characteristics. Such pretreatment equipment can enable simultaneous analysis of multiple components or highly sensitive and selective analysis of trace components, as required for water quality analysis.

Cyanide Ions, Chloric Acid, and Bromic Acid

Cyanide is commonly used in plating, steel manufacturing, and chemical synthesis processes, but is very toxic.
Chloric and bromic acids are also toxic and carcinogenic as well. These substances are analyzed using an ion chromatograph. Shimadzu offers ion chromatograph systems that can analyze cyanide and bromic acid very quickly and with high sensitivity.

Heavy Metals

In drinking water testing, several heavy metals, such as sodium, calcium, and other elements present in high concentrations (mg/L or higher levels) and also lead, cadmium, and other elements only present in low concentrations, are analyzed. Lead can cause anemia, changes in blood, neurological impairments, or gastrointestinal impairments, whereas cadmium can cause kidney failure, osteomalacia, or other toxicity disorders. Such heavy metals can be analyzed by ICP-MS, ICP atomic emission spectrometry, or atomic absorption (AA) spectrometry, but ICP-MS is best for simultaneous analysis of samples that contain trace elements.

Total Organic Carbon (TOC)

Total organic carbon analyzers are used to evaluate the content of organic pollutants in samples by measuring the quantity of carbon dioxide generated from oxidizing organic matter contained in water. Boasting the highest global market share and trust earned from an extensive track record over many years, Shimadzu TOC analyzers contribute to ensuring the water quality of society.