Laboratory charges

The elemental analysis of a compound is usually determined by a laboratory that specializes in this technique. A chemist who has prepared a new compound sends a sample to the laboratory for analysis. The laboratory charges a fee that depends on the type and number of elements analyzed. The results are returned to the chemist as a listing of mass percent composition. The chemist must then figure out which chemical formula matches this composition. If a chemist has reason to expect a particular chemical formula, the observed percentages can be matched against the calculated percentages for the expected formula. This process is illustrated in Example 3-13. 

For proper budgeting, inquire whether the laboratory charges a fee for samples put on hold, kept in storage for long periods of time, and for sample disposal. 

The industrial hygienist should have a stock of accurately labelled bulk materials for reference in order to know which kinds contain asbestos and which contain fiberglass, plastic, or other nonasbestos fibers. With commercial laboratories charging between 25.00 and 75.00 for a bulk analysis for asbestos, it can be wasteful to request an analysis of a material that should have been recognized as definitely asbestos free or asbestos containing. Of course, if there is any doubt whatever, an analysis should be performed since the consequences of failure to recognize asbestos can be serious to the safety and health of exposed employees. 

Each of the subdivided groups can be classified further as indicated in Chap. 6. For example, direct production costs can be broken down into costs for raw materials, labor, supervision, maintenance, supplies, power, utilities, laboratory charges, and royalties. 

Maintenance and repairs Operating supplies Laboratory charges Royalties (if not on lump-sum basis)... 

Fixed-capital investment 2. Working capital 3. Total capital investment (1 + 2) 4. Annual income (sales) 5. Annual manufacturing cost (a) Raw materials (b) Labor (c) Utilities (d) Maintenance and repairs (e) Operating supplies (f) Laboratory charges (g) Patents and royalties (h) Local taxes and insurance (i) Plant overhead (j) Other (explain in Notes) 5-T. Total of line 5 ... 

Direct costs (DC) Raw materials Operating labour (OL) Direct Supervisory Utilities Maintenance and repairs Operating supplies Laboratory charges Patents and royalties From material balance (10-50% )TOC From manpower (10-20% TOC) 20% OL From energy balance (10-20% TOC) 10% Fc 1 % Ff. (6%OL) 10-20%OL 0-6% TOC... 

Direct costs are composed from the costs of raw materials RAf), utilities Ut), operating labour (OL), direct supervision and clerical labour Ds), maintenance and repairs (M), operating supplies (Os), laboratory charges (Lab), patents and royalties. We may neglect the last term. By using the factors in Table 15.10 we obtain ... 

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