Laboratory analysis and determination of Lead content
Your needs: to carry out an analysis and dosage of lead in your products or raw materials in order to validate their conformity
Guarantee the safety and conformity of your products with accurate lead analysis. Whether you need to measure lead in cosmetic products, analyse lead in paints or carry out specific tests using ICP-AES and ICP-MS, our laboratory can provide you with advanced methods to meet the most stringent regulatory requirements. Efficiently identify and quantify the presence of lead in your materials and finished products.
Monitoring the presence of Lead in your products though precise techniques will allow you to reduce health risks and improve the overall safety of your products.
What does lead analysis involve?
Lead analysis is a laboratory method used to determine the amount of lead present in a sample. The main objective is to detect the presence of lead and quantify its concentration.
Lead is a chemical element that occurs naturally in our environment, but it can also result from industrial processes. Although lead has been widely used in the past because of its physical and chemical properties, such as its resistance to corrosion (pipes and storage tanks), malleability, density and conductivity, it can also be toxic and cause serious health problems.
Why analyse lead levels in materials?
The analysis of lead levels in materials, raw materials and finished products is essential to guarantee the safety of consumers and the environment.
Lead is a heavy metal that can be found in a wide range of materials, foodstuffs and everyday products such as water, paint and varnish, cosmetics, jewellery, children’s toys and building materials.
The health authorities are working to phase out the use of this metal in everyday objects in order to reduce the risk of exposure. In addition, analysing the lead content of a material helps to ensure the safety of workers who come into contact with these materials, as inhaling or ingesting lead can cause illnesses linked to occupational exposure.
At the same time, laboratory analysis techniques enable lead to be accurately detected at very low levels. Manufacturers need to monitor their raw materials by carrying out lead analysis to ensure that their finished products comply with current regulations.
Our solution : to provide quantitative and qualitative analytical services for detecting lead using precise and reliable techniques
For over 30 years, FILAB laboratory has been assisting industrial clients in examining their products or their work environment to identify and quantify the presence of Lead. The use of this hazardous chemical element requires specific techniques as well as the expertise of teams such as ours regarding relevant regulations.
Our lead analysis and dosage services
The FILAB laboratory offers several services related to lead analysis:
Lead analysis of cosmetic products
Our technical resources for detecting the presence of lead
ICP-OES and ICP-MS are two advanced chemical analysis techniques used to detect and quantify the presence of lead in samples of products and raw materials.
ICP-OES, also known as Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry, works by vaporising the sample in a high-temperature plasma and then measuring the emission of light from the ionised atoms.
ICP-MS, or Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, works by ionising atoms and electrically charging them before measuring their individual masses and detecting the presence of lead ions.
These methods are highly accurate and sensitive, with very low detection limits, making them very useful in industrial and environmental applications. If you are looking to carry out lead assays or detect the presence of this metal in your products, the FILAB laboratory can advise you and carry out these analysis.
Some examples of lead analysis applications
Laboratory lead assay analysis is an effective method for assessing the presence of this heavy metal in various materials and products.
The construction and renovation industries are particularly concerned, as old buildings and lead paints, varnishes and floors can represent a danger to workers and occupants.
The mining and refining industries also need to monitor the lead content of their products to avoid environmental contamination.
The battery and electronics manufacturing industries must ensure that their products do not contain lead that is harmful to consumers.
Finally, health professionals such as dentists need to be aware of the lead content of dental materials used in their practices.
This method can also be applied to samples such as waste water, toys, jewellery and even cosmetics.
Les accréditations FILAB - ISO 17025 pour le dosage d’impuretés métalliques
Since 2015, FILAB laboratory has been ISO 17025 accredited for determining metallic contents in pharmaceutical products following an internally developed method, validated by the European Pharmacopeia 2.4.20 and the American Pharmacopeia USP 233.
With three levels of services – analysis, expertise and R&D support – FILAB assists companies from all sectors and of all sizes in overcoming their industrial challenges by sharing its technical know-how and the wealth of experience of its team with its clients.
FAQ
The analysis or determination of lead in your matrices is important for several reasons:
- Public health: Lead is a toxic metal that can have serious effects on human health. Measuring lead in materials is used to detect the presence of lead that is potentially hazardous to health.
- The environment: Lead released into the environment can contaminate soil and cause human health problems.
- Regulatory compliance: Numerous regulations limit the amount of lead permitted in various products and materials. Lead assaying is therefore necessary to ensure compliance with these regulations.
- Product safety: Lead is sometimes used in products such as paints, coatings and construction materials. Measuring lead levels ensures that these products do not present a health risk to users.
- Quality of materials: Lead can affect the quality and properties of materials. Dosing is necessary to ensure that materials meet performance and safety specifications.
As lead is potentially toxic to humans, many industrial sectors may need to carry out a lead analysis or assay.
- First and foremost, the healthcare industry. Medical devices containing lead could be harmful to health.
- The automotive industry, to ensure that automotive components comply with environmental regulations.
- The recycling industry, to ensure that recycled materials do not contain lead.
Lead is a toxic metal that is regulated in many sectors. Its presence can affect compliance with standards (REACH, RoHS) and represent a danger to human health and the environment. Accurate analysis can help prevent these risks.
Lead can be present in metal alloys, paints, plastics, chemicals, coatings and electronic components. Its presence is often residual or intentional in older formulations.
The sectors most affected include :
- Electronics (RoHS).
- Construction (paints, coatings).
- Automotive (alloys, batteries).
- Cosmetics (pigments, dyes).
Lead is present in a number of industrial sectors because of its specific properties.
In electronics, it was used in solder, certain components and finishes to prevent corrosion, although restrictions such as RoHS have reduced its use.
In the construction industry, it is found in old paints (lead white), rustproof coatings and old plumbing installations.
In cars, it is still used in lead-acid batteries and was present in metal alloys and wheel balancing weights.
Finally, in cosmetics, it was found in certain pigments and dyes, although its use is now strictly regulated.
Thresholds vary according to applicable regulations, such as:
- RoHS: 0.1% (1000 ppm) in electrical and electronic equipment.
- REACH: specific restrictions for certain applications.
FILAB can help you identify the standards applicable to your sector.
FILAB supports companies in replacing lead-containing raw materials (selection of materials), optimising industrial processes and implementing controls to limit contamination.
FILAB helps companies to characterise their lead-containing waste in order to comply with the regulations in force for its safe management and disposal.
