Laboratories

Our commitment to a high-quality life

The Heratech Laboratories, leading Italian scientific centres for environmental analysis, contribute decisively to safeguarding and improving the quality of life for all of us. They monitor water systems – drinking water purification, distribution, and wastewater treatment – and control the waste treatment chain – waste-to-energy plants, composting sites, landfills, and chemical-physical plants – to ensure strict compliance with regulations. In addition to the services offered, we also perform industrial hygiene and environmental monitoring.

We provide the professionalism and know-how of our 87 technicians and the technological heritage of the Heratech Laboratories to companies and public bodies to carry out analyses and sampling, besides offering targeted consulting to customers outside our Group, such as water and environmental managers, companies or private citizens. 

Our laboratories are certified by Accredia (the sole national accreditation body appointed by the Italian government that attests competence of laboratories). The certification ensures the reliability and reproducibility of the data the labs deliver. The network includes 3 main laboratories (in Bologna, Ravenna, and Trieste), and 6 logistics units for sampling throughout our service area.

News HERAtech laboratories

Within our laboratories, special care is dedicated to the analysis of drinking water and wastewater; we are in fact one of the few facilities in Italy that perform advanced and cutting-edge analyses, such as the search for asbestos fibers, with scanning electron microscopy, or the search for "emerging pollutants", with high-resolution LC-MS spectrometers, conducted in collaboration with leading European research institutions. 

Our laboratories do NOT perform tests on animals.

Our services 

Our Laboratories carry out a punctual and constant monitoring, above and beyond regulatory requirements, both for the quantity of the analyses and for the quality of the sanitary and environmental results.

More specifically, we offer: 

• On-site sampling and analysis
• Chemical, physical, microbiological and radiochemical analyses
• Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis and subsequent microanalysis
• Assistance in the interpretation of analytical results
• Consulting to solve specific problems
• Test design and/or execution in pilot systems
• Applied research and monitoring activities for the assessment of chemical and biological risks in the workplace
• Analytical and consulting assistance for waste characterization and classification

We are able to test more than 10 matrix types, using constantly updated methods:

• natural surface and deep waters
• drinking water
• wastewater
• irrigation water
• pool water
• land
• compost and fertilizers
• soil of contaminated sites
• liquid, solid and muddy waste
• gas and biogas
• chemicals used for treatment processes

Our laboratories are equipped with last-generation instruments that guarantee reliable and fast analytical data. We perform more than one million analytical determinations per year in the environmental and industrial fields, including search for:

• asbestos fibres
• heavy metals
• pesticide residues, perfluoroalkyl compounds and endocrine disruptors
• organic polluting compounds such as solvents, hydrocarbons, PAHs, PCBs; dioxins and furans
• radionuclides
• biological, microbiological and virological forms (including legionellae and bacterial endotoxins in dialysis water)

The figures of our work

COVID-19 analyses

From the production of gel sanitizer for our workers to the analysis of the presence of the virus in the workplace, we foster a process of environmental sanitization. Even in the course the Covid-19 sanitary emergency, HERAtech Laboratory has used its expertise for the benefit of Group.

First, we identified the workplaces with the highest human aggregation and the most susceptible elements to contamination from respiratory droplets and physical contacts.

Sampling consisted of rubbing surfaces with a swab analyzed in the laboratory within 24 hours to test the presence of viral RNA, i.e., the virus genome.

All of this is possible thanks to the chemical and biological expertise and state-of-the-art instruments available in the Laboratory facilities. 

Quality and certified processes

The work and processes we carry out at Heratech Laboratories have obtained the most important sector-specific certifications:

Accredia Accrediting

The Bologna Lab Unit, the Forlì Lab Unit, the Trieste Lab Unit and the Novoledo Lab Unit constitute a multi-site ACCREDIA-certified Laboratory (certificate no. 0110 in compliance with the UNI CEI EN ISO/IEC 17025/2005 standard). This accreditation certifies the use of operating methodologies validated by Accredia and therefore the competence of the Laboratories in the services provided. Accreditation attests the work quality level of a given Body (certification and inspection) or Laboratory (testing and calibration), verifying that their management system and expertise comply with internationally recognized criteria and mandatory legislative requirements. Moreover, for accreditation obtainment and renewal, Accredia carries out periodic inspections to verify the technical and organizational standards of the test laboratories.

To consult the list of accredited tests of the Bologna Hera Laboratory.

To consult the list of accredited tests of the Forlì Hera Laboratory.

Quality Management System Certification

Our Laboratories are certified in accordance with the UNI EN ISO 9001:2015 standard. The field of application includes: sampling services, chemical and biological analysis and method development on water, gas, waste, mud, soil, compost, air and surfaces. Specialist assistance is also provided for the interpretation of analytical data and the definition of interventions.

Environmental Management System Certification

Our Laboratories have obtained the Environmental Management System certification, and therefore comply with the UNI EN ISO 14001:2015 standard. The management system in place monitors the environmental impact of our activities for systematic improvement and to ensure consistency, effectiveness and sustainability.

Occupational Health & Safety Certification

Our Laboratories operate in accordance with the BS OHSAS 18001 standard for occupational health and safety. Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series certifies the voluntary application, within an organization, of a system that ensures adequate control of the Safety and Health of Workers, in addition to compliance with applicable regulations.

Social Responsibility Certification

In accordance with the legislation in force, we operate in a socially responsible manner towards our employees and suppliers.

Research Laboratories

The Heratech laboratories are defined as "research laboratories" as per registration in the Ministerial Register of Research Laboratories pursuant to Article 4, Law no. 46 of 17 Feb 1982, under the Ministry of Education, University and Research.

Authorization for asbestos treatment 

HERAtech Laboratories are included in the Ministry of Health's list of laboratories qualified to carry out asbestos analysis according to Ministerial Decree 14/05/96. 

Certification laboratory for fertilizers 

HERAtech Laboratories are authorised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to carry out conformity analyses on fertilizers, including compost. 

Compliance with international standards

Heratech laboratories use analytical methods according to international standards: AOAC, APHA, APAT - CNR, DIN, ISPRA, EPA, ISO, OSHA, NIOSH, ASTM, UNI, UNICHIM.

Glossary and useful links

For a better understanding, here are a few definitions:

• LABORATORIES: specialised structures overseeing the operation of the Hera Group's integrated water cycle and waste disposal systems, and the meeting of customer requests in a competent and professional manner.
   
• UNI EN ISO 9001:2015: this International Standard promotes the adoption of a process approach when developing, in order to improve the effectiveness of the Quality management system and increase Customer satisfaction through compliance with Customer requirements.
   
• UNI CEI EN ISO/IEC 17025: this standard specifies the general requirements of laboratories to carry out tests and/or calibrations of equipment, including sampling. The standard lays down the requirements that must be met by testing and calibration laboratories for the implementation of a Quality System and to guarantee technical competence and the production of reliable results.
   
• ACCREDITATION: the accreditation scheme was developed by the European Union in order to allow the free movement of goods and products within the EU, without the need for repetitive controls by the authorities of the various countries.
   
• ACCREDIA: formerly Sinal, established on 26th April 1988 on the initiative of UNI (the Italian National Unification Body) and CEI (the Italian Electrotechnical Committee) and under the patronage of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Crafts (now the Ministry of Productive Activities), CNR (the Italian National Research Council), ENEA (the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development), and the Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture and Crafts. In Italy it represents the Accreditation Body that, being independent and representative of all interested parties, guarantees users, through periodic technical audits, of the competence and impartiality of the laboratories in carrying out the accredited tests. It verifies and monitors over time the compliance of laboratories with the UNI CEI EN ISO/IEC 17025 and ACCREDIA requirements.
   
• M.U.R.S.T. (today called the M.I.U.R.): The Ministry of Universities and Scientific and Technological Research intervenes to support industrial research activities defined as "planned research or critical investigation aimed at acquiring new knowledge useful for developing new products, production processes or services or for achieving a significant improvement in existing products, production processes or services."
   
• CERTIQUALITY
• ACCREDIA
• UNI
• MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY, TRADE AND CRAFTS
• CNR
• ENEA
• CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, INDUSTRY, AGRICULTURE AND HANDICRAFTS
• ARPA

A partnership for the safety of the environment

Our laboratory technical staff, in addition to offering scientific and regulatory advice, create partnering relationships for the resolution of complex needs: they provide specialist assistance for the management of sampling activities, the interpretation of analytical data and the definition of interventions in relation to current standards, bibliographic data or technical specifications.

These are the main areas of activity in which we operate:

• Sampling
  We carry out sampling on all environmental, liquid, solid and gaseous matrices with specific methods and in compliance with the standards.
   
• Highly specialized analyses carried out on environmental matrices.
  The analyses mainly concern the following areas:
  • asbestos and mineral wools, with scanning electron microscopy
  • high resolution mass spectrometry [HRGC/HRMS] of very toxic micropollutants (chlorinated dioxins and furans [PCDD/PCDF], PCBs, Dioxin - like and PBDEs)
  • verification of the presence of metals with ICP/AES, ICP MS, electronic fluorescence techniques.
     
• Waste analysis and related classification
  This activity involves the quantification of occurring substances in order to measure toxicity and hazardousness. In this way, it is possible to characterize and classify waste materials in a clear way, and determine the most correct way of disposal or environmental recovery.
   
• Analysis of drinking water, groundwater and wastewater
  In order to verify the requirements of drinking water and the acceptability of wastewater returned to the environment, the Laboratory is specialized in:
  • chemical analysis
  • physical analysis
  • microbiological analysis
  • toxicological analysis
  • organic analysis
  • radiochemical analysis
     
• Chemical and microbiological analysis of compost, biological muds and composting materials
  This includes:
  • analysis of biological muds for recovery in agriculture
  • decomposing muds analysis with filamentous bacteria speciation
  • toxicity analysis
  • respirometric indices and compost quality characterization
  • analysis of soils for the purpose of decontamination activities and fallout on the ground.
     
• Control of atmospheric emissions (ducted and diffuse)
  Our laboratories are able to perform:
  • sampling and analysis of emissions from industrial activities such as waste-to-energy plants, thermal power plants and gas-turbine plants to verify compliance with regulations
  • monitoring campaigns of ambient air and/or diffuse emissions in industrial plants to verify compliance with regulations
  • impact assessment, functionality and efficiency checks of pollutant emission abatement systems, according to UNI EN14181 standard
  • instrumental measurement of odour nuisance and sampling with Canister.
     
• Smells
  Through highly specialized partnerships, our laboratories offer services of analysis and study of smells on air samples taken in various environmental conditions. Olfactometric analyses are essential to understand the real smell concentrations and provide a complete picture of the possible osmogenic impact, in order to adopt suitable measures to abate them.
   
• Safety and hygiene in the workplace
  Measurement and assessment of workers' exposure to airborne chemicals, asbestos, and organic and inorganic substances are carried out.
  Monitoring is also carried out on the concentrations of biological agents in the air and on surfaces, useful for assessing biological risk.
   
• Industrial hygiene
  Our Laboratories offer consultancy in the field of Industrial Hygiene, supporting the definition of environmental and personal investigation protocols, to ensure an adequate monitoring of the exposure conditions of operators and population.
   
• Monitoring in hospital plants for the production of water for haemodialysis
  Controls include microbiological and chemical determinations and assays for bacterial endotoxins in solutions and dialysis water.
   
• Asbestos
  The Hera Laboratories carry out both qualitative and quantitative determination of airborne fibres and search for asbestos in manufactured goods and in various environmental matrices using modern instrumental techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thanks to a microanalysis system, this technique allows certain attribution of asbestos fibers, compared to other non-fibrous coils and other types of fibers.
  Our experience with asbestos can be summarized as follows:
  • 15 years of activity
  • 400 samples analysed every year
  • participation in the Ministry of Health's qualification programme
  • accreditation of the analytical method to test water
  • participation in working groups for the drafting of official analysis methods.
• The ongoing studies on the toxicological assessment of the presence of asbestos fibres in drinking water have led the Hera Laboratories to become a reference facility for numerous companies managing the integrated water service over the national territory.
   
• Radioactivity
  Our Laboratories perform the determination of radioactivity in drinking water, according to the provisions of Legislative Decree no. 28/2016, using liquid scintillography.
  We perform monitoring of the following parameters:
  • screening and Total Alpha Radioactivity abd Beta Radioactivity
  • Tritium
  • Radon
  • calculation of the indicative dose.

Our laboratories comply with the adequacy criteria defined by the Ministry of Health, as we operate according to the ISO IEC 17025 standard, using methods issued by international standardization bodies.

Cutting-edge experience and instrumentation in the search for "emerging pollutants"

An area of excellence of our laboratories, recognized at an European level, is the research of "emerging pollutants", which we carry out in collaboration with leading international research organizations. "Emerging pollutants" come from manufacturing processes and the use of cosmetics, drugs, and other everyday products that can interfere with the normal functioning of our hormone systems and those of other living organisms.

Thanks to the purchase of a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry device (HPLC/MS), we have increased sensitivity 1,000 times over the previous instrumentation (dated 2007) and reached very low quantification limits (measured in nanograms per litre).

For natural waters, direct injection of the samples into the aqueous phase is performed solely with treatment on 0.22 µm porosity filters. It is thus possible to reduce sampling volumes and the use of solvents and plastic containers, with great advantages for the environment, the safety of our operators and saving costs. In addition, the elimination of the sample preparation step significantly reduces the analysis time. The parameters already determined with this new instrumentation are listed below, but the list is continuously updated:

• Perfluorinated Organic Compounds (PFASs)
• Glyphosate, AMPA and glufosinate
• Endocrine disruptors
• Haloacetic compounds
• Microcystin
• Atrazine and its derivatives 
• Multiresidual analysis of pesticides.

We pool the know-how of our laboratories

The Heratech Laboratories make available all the know-how our technicians acquire, by creating thematic courses or taking part in public interest events.

2020

Last July 22, we held a webinar on "The evolution of INDOOR and biological risk monitoring in the days of COVID-19". The program and the proceedings can be accessed below.

Here you can read our publication in Astrolabe on the monitoring of Covid-19 by HERAtech:http://astrolabio.amicidellaterra.it/node/2096

2019

We participated in the FESTIVAL DELL'ACQUA UTILITALIA 2019 with an information desk in Bressanone, in May, and with a report on "Assessments on the recovery of valuable materials from the urban wastewater treatment cycle" in Venice, in October.

2018

In April 2018, at the Water Centre of Novoledo (VI), Heratech jointly organized with AcegasApsAmga the Conference for Managers of the Integrated Water Service of Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

How is the concept of water potability changing? How is it possible to effectively fight “emerging pollutants” (PFAs, but not only)? How can synergies between water resource operators be improved in order to secure water resources and offer a more efficient and effective service, also in the face of climate change?

These are some of the issues addressed by the top management of the leading water service companies in Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia: Acque del Chiampo, Acque Venete, Acque Veronesi, AcegasApsAmga, Cafc, Etra, Medio Chiampo, Veritas, and Viacqua. They were joined by the representatives of the regulatory authorities: Istituto Superiore di Sanità [Italian National Health Institute], ARPAV, and ATO Bacchiglione. The meeting was sponsored by the Interprovincial Order of Chemists of Veneto.

See below for the photos and proceedings of the conference.

2017

In 2017 our Spazio Hera in Bologna hosted the “Plans for water safety: new methodologies and emerging pollutants” conference. The Italian Chemists Association participated actively together with other major institutions: the Istituto Superiore di Sanità [Italian National Health Institute], Arpa ER, Arpa Lombardia e Veneto and Health Authorities, INAIL, ENEA, CNR, and the leading Integrated Water Service operators in Italy. 

The day was full of speeches that dealt with various topics, from Water Safety Plans, to planning checks, to in-depth technical studies on emerging pollutants, to more managerial discussions on laboratory facilities, their sustainability and the skills and professionalism of those involved.

See below for the photos and proceedings of the conference.