Controlling the risk of metal contamination in your industrial processes
The presence of heavy metals in a raw material, formulation, packaging, medical device, or process water can compromise product quality, regulatory compliance, and safe use. In industry, these contaminations may come from incoming materials, catalysts, equipment, treatment baths, packaging, or even leaching phenomena. A heavy metals analysis makes it possible to detect and quantify elements such as lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, nickel, or antimony, in order to secure industrial processes and quality decisions. This approach applies to many contexts: testing raw materials and finished cosmetic products, assessing elemental impurities in pharmaceutical products according to ICH Q3D and USP 233, investigating packaging materials under Directive 94/62/EC, testing medical devices according to ISO 10993-18 and ISO 13779-3, or monitoring process and wastewater. To broaden your approach by sector, see our Business Sector page.
Industrial matrices handled
Analysis may be carried out on raw materials, finished products, chemical formulations, polymers, ceramics, metallic materials, packaging, treatment baths, process water, or wastewater. Depending on the need, tests are performed directly on the material, on leachate, on extract, or after mineralization. This flexibility is essential for characterizing surface contamination, bulk impurity, or leaching phenomena.
Preparation and quantification techniques
The analytical strategy first relies on controlled sample preparation, notably by microwave digestion when the matrix requires it. Quantification is then performed by ICP-AES for higher concentrations or by ICP-MS / ICP-MS/MS for trace and ultra-trace analysis. Mercury can be measured specifically using a Hg amalgamator. In addition, elemental C/H/O/N/S analysis can be used to better characterize certain matrices.
Making your quality and regulatory decisions more reliable
Beyond the simple numerical result, the challenge is to obtain robust analytical data that can be interpreted and used by your quality, R&D, production, or HSE teams. An ISO 17025-accredited laboratory by COFRAC operates with controlled methods, documented traceability, and an understanding of industrial constraints. This approach reduces the risk of false positives, underestimation of concentrations, or conclusions that are unsuitable for the matrix being studied.
Relying on analytical expertise and state-of-the-art equipment
An expert laboratory supports manufacturers in the detection, quantification, and interpretation of metallic contaminants across a wide range of matrices: treatment baths, materials, raw materials, formulations, extracts, process water, or finished products. Expertise covers routine testing as well as failure studies, investigations following non-conformity, the development of tailor-made analytical methods, and their validation. Tests can be carried out by ICP-AES, ICP-MS, or ICP-MS/MS, with quantification limits as low as 0.1 ppm depending on the matrix and the target element. Complementary techniques, such as microwave digestion, specific mercury determination using a Hg amalgamator, or elemental C/H/O/N/S analysis, further enhance result reliability. In complex technical environments, this approach also makes it possible to combine metal analysis with other materials-related issues, such as Industrial Coatings Nanomaterials.
Regulatory and sector-specific applications
Requests often concern cosmetics, pharmaceutical products, medical devices, packaging materials, and industrial processes subject to environmental or quality requirements. analysis can meet standards such as ICH Q3D for elemental impurities, USP 233, cosmetic regulations, Directive 94/62/EC for packaging, or standards applicable to medical devices. For certain specific leaching needs, also see Residus Metaux Lourds Iso 19227.
Target elements and analytical performance
Commonly quantified elements include As, Pb, Cd, Hg, as well as V, Ni, Co, Ag, Au, Tl, Pd, Pt, Ir, Os, Rh, Ru, Se, Sb, Ba, Li, Cr, Cu, Sn or Mo depending on the context. Quantification limits can go down to 0.1 ppm depending on the matrix, the preparation protocol, and the instrumentation used. The choice of method depends on the required sensitivity, potential interferences, and the final objective: batch release, material qualification, failure study, or regulatory compliance.
Benefit from tailor-made support
Support can include method development, analytical validation according to USP 233 or ICH Q2, investigation following non-conformity, identification of contamination sources, and assistance in choosing control plans. In a broader approach to flow and residue control, this expertise can be usefully combined with reflections on Recycling Waste: A Challenge for Manufacturers.
Launch an operational analytical approach
Defining the elements to monitor, identifying critical matrices, checking incoming raw materials, verifying process water, investigating non-conformities, validating a suitable method, interpreting the results, then putting in place a sustainable monitoring plan: these steps make it possible to secure industrial processes in a concrete and measurable way. A structured Heavy metals analysis approach helps prioritize risks, document compliance, and protect both your products and your processes over the long term.
Frequently asked questions
How can you identify and quantify the heavy metals likely to affect the compliance of your raw materials, products, and process water?
What types of samples can be subjected to heavy metal analysis?
Which analytical techniques make it possible to quantify heavy metals reliably?
Why entrust your heavy metals analysis to the Filab laboratory?
What actions should you take to quickly secure your industrial processes against the heavy metals risk?
