Enzymatic Nitrate Testing without Cadmium Provides Safe, Reliable Testing

Environmental Express now offers enzyme-based nitrate testing supplies from NECi Superior Enzymes to the environmental testing market. The new testing kits and equipment offer a 'green alternative' to help protect both analysts and the environment, and are more dependable and accurate than traditional methods.

Current nitrate testing methods and equipment typically use cadmium, a toxic heavy metal and known carcinogen. The enzymatic nitrate test kits use a naturally-occurring enzyme called nitrate reductase. It helps protect against the release and exposure of potentially toxic cadmium from catalyst columns in samples. This 'green' test method reduces chance exposure to cadmium.

Nitrates are compounds often found in human-made fertilisers. Although naturally occurring, in high concentrations nitrates are considered a pollutant. It can be toxic to some species and cause algae blooms in aquatic ecosystems. 

A proposed 2015 Method Update Rule (MUR) approved Method N07-003, a new method for nitrate, nitrite, and nitrate-nitrite analysis, as an Alternative Test Method (ATM) for the US EPA Clean Water Act. In addition, the nitrate reductase method has already been validated by ASTM (Method D7781) and USGS (Standard-Range Method I-2547-11 or Low Range Method I-2548-11). The new Method N07-003 uses automated discrete analysis, flow injection analysis, or manual reagent additions and spectrophotometry to determine concentrations of nitrate and nitrate in wastewater.

The NECi Superior Enzymes enzymatic nitrate testing enables analysts to safely get accurate results and quickly take necessary corrective action to ensure compliance with local regulations in order to protect the environment.

Environmental Express, a Cole-Parmer company, is a leading developer, manufacturer and distributor of environmental laboratory equipment and consumable supplies for commercial, governmental, industrial and academic laboratories worldwide. The company provides an entire range of laboratory products used in applications such as water/wastewater analysis, oil and grease analysis, metals analysis and hazardous waste analysis. We pride ourselves on providing innovative products, superior technical support, knowledgeable customer service and expedited shipping.