Environmental testing and analytical services

Our capabilities

The National Measurement Institute is Australia’s peak measurement body. We:

• offer a comprehensive range of professional, impartial and high quality measurement services, including specialised and crisis response testing
• are a trusted service provider to government, industry and academia, supporting major strategic programs and industry-led research
• partner with leading organisations locally and internationally
• deliver measurement that is meaningful, impactful and at the forefront of measurement science. 

We lead metrology in many important areas, from per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) to micro-plastics in water. We apply our range of specialist capabilities and novel technologies to our services. This includes ultra-trace environmental testing for dioxins and polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs).

Our certifications and accreditations

We have a strong commitment to quality. Our laboratories hold a range of certifications and accreditations including:

• National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accreditation for:
  • chemical testing for Sydney laboratory
  • biological testing for Sydney laboratory
  • biological testing for Melbourne laboratory
• ISO/IEC 17025: General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories
• AS/NZS ISO 9001: Quality management systems
• Therapeutic Goods Administration licence to manufacture therapeutic goods. 

Our core services

We can test a wide range of matrices and analyse aqueous, solid, air and biota samples. We also calibrate environmental monitoring stations.

Ultra-trace pesticides

We have developed sensitive and highly selective tests to determine a large range of environmentally important pesticides at trace and ultra-trace levels in water and soil.

High resolution measurement and environmental water contamination

We are one of the first laboratories in Australia to use ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC QTOF-MS) technology to screen targeted and non-targeted organic contaminants.

Light hydrocarbons and permanent gases

We use an automated system to analyse light hydrocarbons (methane, ethane, propane, butane, pentane and hexane) to the limits of reporting. These elements are connected to groundwater contamination from coal seam gas extraction.

1,4 Dioxane

We analyse 1,4-Dioxane which is a colourless flammable cyclic ether compound used as a laboratory solvent and in niche industrial applications. It has high mobility and moves rapidly from soil to groundwater.

Low level nutrient in marine and estuarine waters

We test for low level ammonia in fresh and seawaters. This includes ammonia testing for potable, surface, ground, saline, brackish and domestic waters as well as agricultural runoffs, rivers and seawaters.

Aldehydes and ketones in the environment

Aldehydes and ketones are volatile, toxic and hazardous with a high risk of air contamination. We use our methods to monitor workplace air, indoor air, exhaust air and emissions to the atmosphere.

Coal seam gas (CSG)

We offer fit-for-purpose measurement expertise and solutions for environmental impact assessments and regulatory compliance verification covering a full range of chemicals parameters applicable to CSG extraction. You can apply our laboratory-based water and chemical testing capabilities to baseline quality testing of:

• groundwater
• CSG-produced water
• processed water prior to its re-injection, re-use or release to the environment.

Nanomaterials

Engineered nanoparticles—particularly in textiles, surface coatings and personal-care products—can enter the environment via domestic and industrial waste water streams. We can detect and characterise nanomaterials and work with you to develop methods to use in complex environmental matrices.

Find out more about our nanometrology services.

Consultancy

We work with clients to provide solutions to problems in chemical analysis. Our work depends on our specialised metrology facilities that are unique in Australia.

Training services

We deliver training for:

• analytical method validation
• estimating measurement uncertainty for biologists
• estimating measurement uncertainty for chemists.

Find out more about our training and assessment.

Turnaround times

Our standard turnaround time is 5-30 days.

We also offer 1, 2 and 3 working day turnaround times where agreed.

Submitting samples

Find out how to submit your environmental testing samples. Including advice on how to preserve samples, containers to use and holding times.

Request a quote or discuss your requirements

Contact us for a quote or to discuss how we can tailor our services to meet your analysis requirements.

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