Departments

The impacts of chemical process occurring in the environment which are impacted by humankind's activities may be felt on a local scale, through the presence of urban cities' air pollutants or toxic substances arising from a chemical waste site, or on a global scale, through depletion of stratospheric ozone or global warming. The inter science laboratory (ISL) understanding how the uncontaminated environment works, which chemicals in what concentrations are present naturally, and with what effects. Without this it would be impossible to accurately study the effects humans have on the environment through the release of chemicals.
Inter science laboratory detect and identify the nature and source of pollutants in water quality include dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total dissolved solids (TDS), pH, nutrients (nitrates and phosphorus), heavy metals, soil chemicals (including copper, zinc, cadmium, lead and mercury), and pesticides using classical wet chemistry such as gravimetric, titrimetric and electrochemical methods. More sophisticated approaches are used in the determination of trace metals and organic compounds. Metals are commonly measured by atomic spectroscopy and mass spectrometry: Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission (ICP-AES) or Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometric (ICP-MS) techniques. Organic compounds are commonly measured also using mass spectrometric methods, such as Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS).

An air pollutant is a material in the air that can have adverse effects on humans and the ecosystem. The substance can be solid particles, liquid droplets, or gases. Inter science laboratory (ISL) detect and identify Substances emitted into the atmosphere by human activity include:

Carbon dioxide (CO2) – Because of its role as a greenhouse gas it has been described as "the leading pollutant"[5] and "the worst climate pollution".

Sulphur oxides (SOx) – particularly sulfur dioxide(SO2) is produced by volcanoes and in various industrial processes. Coal and petroleum often contain sulphur compounds, and their combustion generates sulphur dioxide.

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) – Nitrogen oxides, particularly nitrogen dioxide, are expelled from high temperature combustion, and are also produced during thunderstorms by electric discharge. One of the most prominent air pollutants, this reddish-brown toxic gas has a characteristic sharp, biting odor.

Carbon monoxide (CO) – CO is a colorless, odorless, toxic yet non-irritating gas. It is a product of combustion of fuel such as natural gas, coal or wood. Vehicular exhaust contributes to the majority of carbon monoxide let into our atmosphere.

Volatile organic compounds (VOC) – VOCs are a well-known outdoor air pollutant. They are categorized as either methane (CH4) or non-methane (NMVOCs). Methane is an extremely efficient greenhouse gas which contributes to enhanced global warming.

Particulates, alternatively referred to as particulate matter (PM), atmospheric particulate matter, or fine particles, are tiny particles of solid or liquid suspended in a gas.

Persistent free radicals connected to airborne fine particles are linked to cardiopulmonary disease.

Toxic metals, such as lead and mercury, especially their compounds.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) – harmful to the ozone layer.

Ammonia (NH3) – emitted from agricultural processes.

Odours — such as from garbage, sewage, and industrial processes.

Radioactive pollutants – produced by nuclear explosions, nuclear events, war explosives, and natural processes such as the radioactive decay of radon.

Noise monitoring

Noise at work can lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss. However, hearing loss is not the only problem caused by noise; tinnitus (ringing, whistling, buzzing or humming in the ears) may also occur. Noise can also create stress and can be a safety hazard at work, interfering with communication and making warnings harder to hear. Inter Science Laboratory (ISL) employ qualified and experienced ‘competent’ team to carry out comprehensive noise assessments. We are able to identify workers at risk from hearing damage by carrying out personal exposure measurements using personal dosimetry techniques. Assessment of the overall risk to hearing can then be undertaken. The employer to reduce noise at source. As such, our assessments allow for:

Determination of ambient noise levels

Investigation and identification of significant noise sources in the workplace

Use of hearing protection is the last line of defence against noise, and should never be used as the primary protection method in noisy environments.

Micro-organisms and their activities are vitally important to virtually all processes on Earth. Micro-organisms matter because they affect every aspect of our lives – they are in us, on us and around us. Based on their size, the organisms living in soil may be categorized into three groups:Microbiota (not visible with the naked eye)viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, algae Mesobiota (0.2-2 mm)nematodes (eelworms), mites, myriapods, wingless insects, snails, and some small plantsMacrobiota (>2 mm)earthworms, larger insects, moles, rodents such as field mice, and roots of large plants. These microbes play key roles in nutrient cycling, biodegradation/ biodeterioration, climate change, food spoilage, the cause and control of disease, and biotechnology.
The Inter science laboratory (ISL) Microbiology research wing has been, and continues to be, central to meeting many of the current global aspirations and challenges, such as maintaining food, water and energy security for a healthy population on a habitable earth.