Application Notes

Updates - Lead & Toxic Metals
Lead and other Toxic Metals in Toys by XRF and ICP-OES
- The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA 2008) defines a children’s product as a product primarily used by a child under the age of 12 and defines new levels of lead allowed in those products1. Allowable lead in painted surfaces will be reduced from 600 mg/kg to 90 mg/kg one year from enactment of the legislation (enactment date: August 14, 2008).
Heavy Metal (lead) Analysis of Toys by ICP-OES
- In support of the toy industry, many laboratories are being called upon to analyze a wide variety of sample matrices for metal content. The primary element of interest is lead, but a number of other toxic elements pose a considerable threat, especially for children. This subset of elements, known as heavy metals, includes antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, selenium, mercury and lead as they are all known to accumulate in the body and cause detrimental effects over time.
Determination of Hexavalent Chromium in Toys by using UV/Vis Spectrometry
- The toxic elements that may be present in toys are heavy metals such as antimony, arsenic, chromium, lead, mercury, etc., which can accumulate in the body and may cause adverse effects. Therefore, analysis of such elements is important to ensure safety.
Volatiles
Determination of Formaldehyde Content in Toys using UV/Vis Spectrometry
- The LAMBDA XLS+ UV/Vis spectrometer can be used to measure formaldehyde contents in fabric toys. The detection limit is sufficient to determine formaldehyde at the level of 30 mg/kg in the original material or 2.5 mg/L in the aqueous migrate solution as specified in the current version of EN-71. Linearity and spike recoveries further validate the performance of this methodology.
Increasing Sensitivity in the Determination of Volatile Organics in Toys with Headspace Trap-GC/MS
- One aspect of toys which needs to be considered under European Union regulations (EN-71) is the content of VOCs. These compounds are residual after the manufacture of various types of polymers, additives and coatings and are potentially hazardous to the health of children if present at high levels.
Phthalates
GCMS Analysis of Phthalates in Children's Products
- Phthalates are added to plastics, primarily vinyl, to make the material softer and to increase flexibility. Concerns have been raised over the potential effect of chronic phthalate exposure on human health. This health concern has resulted in the regulation of the type and level of phthalates allowable in toys and other children’s products.
Bisphenol A
UHPLC separation and detection of Bisphenol A (BPA) in plastics
- The concerns over BPA began with baby bottles and spread to include other types of bottles. BPA is used in the production of two very common polymers PVC and Polycarbonate. PVC, Polyvinyl chloride, is used in many different products including building materials, medical devices and children’s toys. BPA is used in PVC production as a polymerization inhibitor, residual BPA may remain after the polymerization is complete.products.
Glycols
Rapid Screening of Glycols in Glue Coating of Children’s Toys
- In November 2007, 1,4-butanediol was discovered in a popular children’s toy (shown above) instead of the expected, prescribed, safer homologue, 1,5-pentanediol, causing major public concern and a massive global recall of the affected product.
Webcasts
Analysis of Toys for Safety
- Zoe Grosser and Andrew Tipler; The analysis of toys for safety.
Lead and Other Toxic Metals in Children's Products
- Laura Thompson, Zoe Grosser: Determination of lead and other toxic metalss in children's products.
Phthalates, Bisphenol A and VOC's in Children's Products
- Bill Goodman; Monitoring children's products for potentially harmful levels of organics such as Phthaltaes, Bisphenol A and Volitale organics.