Portable XRF, LIBS & Vis-NIR Analyzers for Environmental Testing
SciAps portable analyzers bring lab-quality environmental analysis to the field – the 8 RCRA metals and all 13 EPA Priority Pollutant Metals in soils, sediments, liquids, filters, and wipe media, plus the world's only non-isotope handheld lead-paint analyzer. This page covers every SciAps analyzer used in environmental work, how each applies, and how X-ray and laser combine to cover every regulated metal.
Why Environmental Professionals Choose SciAps
Regulated-metal coverage spans a wide range of the periodic table, and no single technology reaches all of it in the field. SciAps pairs the industry's most powerful XRF with dedicated LIBS so you can cover everything – including beryllium, which XRF cannot measure:
Handheld XRF
The standard for soil and sediment per EPA Method 6200, covering most RCRA and Priority Pollutant metals (Pb, As, Hg, Cr, Cd, Ba, Ag, Sn, Sb, and more), plus isotope-free lead paint.
See detailsHandheld LIBS
Measures beryllium – a Priority Pollutant metal XRF can't see – down to 5 ppm, plus other light elements (Li, B, C, Na, F) the three-spectrometer Z-903 reaches.
See detailsHandheld XRF Analyzers for Environmental Metals
Soil Testing at 55 kV for Superior Precision
The world's most powerful handheld XRF, and the only one with a 55 kV tube, the X-555 delivers superior detection limits and precision for the higher-atomic-number RCRA and Priority Pollutant metals – cadmium, barium, tin, antimony, and silver. Up to three automated beam settings optimize performance from Al to U, with appropriate filtering to maximize cadmium sensitivity. It meets EPA Method 6200 for both in-situ soil and bagged/cupped prepared samples.
Handheld LIBS Analyzers for Beryllium & Light Elements
Beryllium is an EPA Priority Pollutant metal, but portable XRF cannot measure elements lighter than magnesium. SciAps LIBS fills the gap.
Dedicated In-Field Beryllium Analysis
A dedicated LIBS analyzer for beryllium with a limit of detection of 5 ppm, in 2–3 second tests. Pair it with the X-555 (see OneBox below) to cover the complete set of RCRA and Priority Pollutant metals.
Vis-NIR for Environmental Remote Sensing
Beyond in-field metals, SciAps Vis-NIR spectroradiometers support environmental remote sensing and ground-truthing – the field reference measurements that validate airborne and satellite imagery.
FieldSpec, TerraSpec & LabSpec
The ASD FieldSpec is the gold standard for outdoor field spectroscopy, with the signal-to-noise ratio needed to work in natural light. It's used to ground-truth overflight and satellite sensors, build spectral libraries, and characterize vegetation, soils, and land cover – mitigating noise in the atmospheric absorption bands (1,400 nm and 1,900 nm) that challenge remote-sensing data. TerraSpec and LabSpec serve rugged field and controlled-lab reflectance work respectively.
The Enviro OneBox:X-555 + Z-901 Be
The Enviro OneBox pairs the performance-leading X-555 with the dedicated Z-901 Be to cover the 8 RCRA metals and 13 Priority Pollutant Metals with true field portability – across soils, sediments, liquids, filters, and wipe media. Both share the same Android platform, batteries, cables, and chargers, and merge seamlessly via on-board software plus SciAps Cloud Services.
Explore the OneBox
Which Analyzer Is Right for You?
| Model | Technology | Best for | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| X-555 | XRF | RCRA / Priority Pollutant metals in soil | 55 kV tube, best Cd/Ba/Sn/Sb/Ag LODs |
| X-550 Pb | XRF | HUD lead paint + environmental metals | Isotope-free, PCS at 3 action levels |
| X-505 | XRF | Value soil metals, single-beam options | Lower-cost high performance |
| X-5 | XRF | Industrial lead-paint (OSHA) screening | Fast detect/quantify |
| Z-901 Be | LIBS | Beryllium in the field | 5 ppm LOD |
| Z-903 | LIBS | Every element incl. Li/B/C/Na/F | 3-spectrometer full range |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a handheld analyzer measure all EPA Priority Pollutant Metals in the field?
Almost – handheld XRF (like the X-555) covers 12 of the 13, but beryllium is lighter than magnesium and can't be measured by XRF. SciAps closes the gap with the Z-901 Be LIBS analyzer (5 ppm LOD), so the X-555 + Z-901 OneBox covers all 8 RCRA metals and all 13 Priority Pollutant Metals.
Is the SciAps lead paint analyzer radioactive?
No. The X-550 Pb uses an X-ray tube instead of a radioactive isotope, eliminating isotope replacement, disposal, and the regulatory burden of owning radioactive materials – while holding accepted HUD PCS at all three action levels (1.0, 0.7, 0.5 mg/cm²) with no inconclusive range.
Which SciAps analyzer is best for RCRA metals in soil?
The X-555, with its 55 kV tube, provides the best detection limits for the higher-atomic-number RCRA and Priority Pollutant metals (Cd, Ba, Sn, Sb, Ag), and it meets EPA Method 6200 for both in-situ and prepared soil samples. The X-505 is a lower-cost alternative for typical requirements.
Does the X-550 Pb work for both residential and industrial lead paint?
The X-550 Pb is built for HUD residential assessment with automated Quick Mode and Timed Mode, while any X-5 Series unit can add an Industrial Lead Paint App for OSHA airborne-lead screening in settings like refineries, bridges, and storage tanks.