:: Sample Applications ::

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Many of our customers who have used our products and services have utilized our expertise to develop long-term air monitoring programs that combine state-of-the-art air monitoring equipment with community involvement programs. The synthesis of these two services are sustainable air monitoring programs that give back to the community in the form of: (1) real-time air monitoring data, (2) educational programs, and (3) enhanced emergency response capabilities.

The small costs of these integrated programs provide a tremendous long-term benefit to all of the local stakeholders. Listed below are a few examples of successful community benefit programs that have been developed by Argos.

Real-time Fence Line Monitoring at an Oil Refinery
	Argos is currently working with an oil refinery, community groups, and local government officials to provide a real-time fence line air monitoring system in the San Francisco Bay Area. As the technical liaison between the refinery and the community groups, Argos is responsible for maintaining a real-time monitoring system that updates a public access website every five minutes, providing recommendations on the latest methods of sampling the ambient air, and ensuring that all equipment meets quality assurance standards. The fence line monitoring success is now being expanded to include a community based odor monitoring program that will include using state-of-the-art sampling methods to identify odorous gases and trace them back to their source. In addition, at the request of local community leaders, Argos is developing an educational curriculum that will be used to train students at the local high school in environmental sampling methods.

Community Monitoring in South Africa
Using a novel air sampling system developed by Argos Scientific Inc., an oil refinery in South Africa has developed a community response vehicle that responds from everything from hazardous waste spills, community odor complaints, to worker safety issues. The sampler takes data every 30 seconds and can quantify benzene, toluene, xylem, sulfur dioxide, nitric oxide, mercury, and ammonia on a real-time basis. Detection limits for these gases are in the low part per billion. By taking an aggressive approach towards searching out and detecting odors, the refinery has been able to lower the number of odor complaints by 40% by demonstrating the type of gas detected and wind direction were not from the refinery. In turn the actual sources of the gases have been identified and mitigating actions have taken place.

Detection of 1-3 Butadiene at a Chemical Company
	Using technology developed by Argos Scientific, a community group in the Midwest was able to document unsafe levels of 1-3 Butadiene coming from a plastics company. This data was used to prompt the company, the EPA, and the community to work towards a common resolution of the problem. Today, the levels of butadiene in the community are below health standards. Argos is currently working with the company to provide routine monitoring of 1-3 butadiene, acrylonitrile and styrene.