The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Northeast Food & Feed Laboratory (NFFL) performs Pesticides residue (PES) analysis utilizing Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The LC-MS/MS systems used in the PES analysis laboratory are highly sensitive analytical instruments. Not only does the laboratory environment influence their sensitivity, but the instruments themselves produce a great amount of heat and noise. Ion benches are specifically designed to make the working conditions better for the LC-MS/MS systems. They provided a quieter environment with noise reduction enclosures, built-in cooling systems, and are more ergonomic for the analyst using the system.

NFFL requires the two ion benches to support the use of the Agilent 7000 series GSMS/MS systems and one ion bench to support the use of the Agilent 8900 ICP-QQQ system in the elements and pesticides programs.