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Mercury
Mercury is the chemical element with the symbol Hg. It is liquid at room temperature and has a shiny silver appearance. It is highly toxic and is commonly used as a catalyst in chemical reactions. It has previously been used in batteries, thermometers and barometers, but these methods have been phased out as of the year 2020. Mercury is present in humans and the food they eat, but in small quantities that are not an immediate danger. ICP-MS can be used to detect the amount of mercury in a sample. This is important in the manufacturing of OTC and dietary supplements because the FDA only allows less than 1 part per million, which is considered a trace amount. However, the FDA also does not require that trace amount ingredients be listed on product labels, so even a product that does not say it contains mercury could still have trace amounts. Common OTC products that contain mercury are ear and eye drops, acne treatments, contact solutions and antiseptics. Many fish oil supplements and herbal supplements may also contain mercury. Which is why testing of these products using ICP is crucial for determining the safety of a product.
Lead
Lead is the chemical element with the symbol Pb. It is greyish blue, solid at room temperature and soft. Lead is a toxic heavy metal, but it has many uses. Lead is currently used in batteries, pigments, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Many minerals and dietary supplements have been found to contain excess lead due to other materials’ contact with it in the environment. While the FDA does have specific limits for lead amounts in food, this does not extend to dietary supplements. ICP-MS can be used to test products for lead as this instrument detects even trace amounts and identifies them.
Arsenic
Arsenic is the chemical element with the symbol As. It is grey and solid at room temperature. It is a toxic metalloid and is poisonous when ingested in its inorganic form. Arsenic is mostly used as an alloying agent to strengthen glass, metals and wood. It is also used to produce pesticides, herbicides and insecticides. Many foods can contain organic arsenic because of its heavy presence in the environment. Because of this many herbal supplements can contain arsenic, and testing is needed to ensure the amounts aren’t harmful. Different forms of arsenic have different toxicity levels, which is why ICP-MS is an important instrument for analyzing OTC products and dietary supplements. The FDA has specified action levels for arsenic in food, OTC, and dietary supplements to be about 10 parts per billion of inorganic arsenic. A manufacturer exceeding this level would instigate investigation by the FDA. However, these specifications are not binding.
Cadmium
Cadmium is the chemical element with the symbol Cd. It is metallic, blueish white, solid at room temperature, and soft. It is a toxic heavy metal, commonly used in batteries, pigments, and nuclear applications. Cadmium can be present in OTC products or dietary supplements containing herbal ingredients due to environmental exposure or contamination during manufacturing. The FDA limits the level of cadmium in drinking water to be less than five parts per million. ICP-MS can test for cadmium in blood, food and geological samples, this is especially important for persons who are regularly exposed to cadmium in their jobs.
Antimony
Antimony is a chemical element with the symbol Sb. It is silvery white, solid at room temperature, brittle and a metalloid. It is commonly used in batteries, flame retardants, and as an alloy. Antimony is toxic, and the effects depend on the amount and length of exposure. Antimony is still being researched for its applications in medicine, specifically for the treatment of lung tumors and potential antimicrobial uses. Antimony is present in OTC and dietary supplements because of its presence in the environment. ICP-MS can be used to test for antimony in blood, urine, water and solid samples.
Consumer products that commonly contain antimicrobial or antiseptic quaternary ammoniums
- Antibacterial hand soaps
- Antiseptic wipes
- Mouthwashes
- Eye drops
- Throat sprays
- Eye drops
- Antiseptic sprays
- Hand sanitizers
- Nasal sprays
Instruments used to detect, measure, and analyze antimicrobial or antiseptic quaternary ammoniums in consumer products
- HPLC with UV or Mass Spectrometry detection
- Capillary Electrophoresis (CE)
- Spectrophotometry for some quaternary ammonium compounds
Testing antimicrobial or antiseptic quaternary ammoniums with Microchem
Microchem tests personal care products, OTC drugs, and dietary supplements for the strength, purity, and identity of a wide variety of antiseptic quaternary ammoniums. Contact the lab today for a free consultation or quote.