Application
News
No.J106A
Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry
Analysis of Heavy Metals in Toys and Accessories
by ICPE-9800 Series
LAAN-A-CP-E019A
n Introduction
n Samples
n Sample Preparation
n Instrument and Analytical Conditions
n Analysis
Table 1 Analytical Conditions
In recent years, safety issues related to inexpensive
metal toys and accessories have become a social
problem. In particular, the presence of heavy metals
such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in toys poses a
health risk to infants if such contaminated toys are
licked, placed in the mouth, or even swallowed.
Therefore, toys and accessories are now required to be
evaluated for safety with respect to their content using
an appropriate test method. These test methods are
defined according to various international standards,
including ISO 8124
1)
(Safety of toys) and the European
standard EN71-Part3
2)
(Safety of toys – Migration of
certain elements). Both are dissolution tests based on
the assumption that such toys and accessories will be
ingested by infants, resulting in the absorption of toxic
elements into the body. Such an analysis of toys and
accessories requires that, in addition to being able to
measure harmful trace elements with high sensitivity,
measurement can be conducted for multiple samples
quickly and at low cost.
Here, using the Shimadzu ICPE-9800 series multi-type
ICP atomic emission spectrometer, we conducted
measurement of commercially available toys and
metallic accessories as samples. The ICPE-9800 series,
with its mini-torch plasma and spectrometer capable of
simultaneous analysis of all elements at all wavelengths,
can conduct high-throughput, low-cost analysis with
high sensitivity and high accuracy.
Processing was conducted according to the method
specified in EN71-Part3.
(1) Paint coated on toy
Very fine paint scrapings are removed from the surface
of the toy, and transferred to vials. Then, 5 mL of
0.07 mol/L hydrochloric acid is added for each 0.1 g of
the scraped fragments, and after shaking for 1 hour in
the dark, the vials are left standing at 37 °C for 1 hour.
The eluates are then filtered.
(2) Accessory
A weighed sample is placed in a beaker 40 mm in
diameter, and after immersing the sample in 0.07 mol/L
hydrochloric acid heated at 37 °C, it is left standing at
37 °C for 2 hours, shielded from the light. The eluate is
then filtered.
Then, 0.07 mol/L hydrochloric acid is added to the
respective filtrates of (1) and (2) to adjust their volumes
to 20 mL, and these are used as sample solutions.
Quantitative analysis was conducted using the
calibration curve method.
Commercially available toys (building block, vehicle, etc.)
Commercially available metallic accessories (section of
key ring, etc.)
(including second-hand items such as those found at a
flea market)
[References]
1) ISO 8124-1: 2009 (Safety of toys – Part 1)
2) BS EN71-3: 2013, Safety of toys – Migration of certain elements
The Shimadzu ICPE-9800 series multi-type ICP atomic
emission spectrometer was used to conduct the
measurements. Table 1 shows the measurement
conditions. The ICPE-9800 series, with its echelle
spectrometer and CCD detector, can conduct
simultaneous measurement of all elements at all
wavelengths, permitting high-throughput measurement
even when there are many target elements and
samples. Also, the plasma gas flowrate-suppressing
mini-torch, the Eco mode which limits gas usage and
power consumption during wait time, and the use of a
vacuum spectrometer, which does not require purge
gas, all greatly reduce running costs compared to
conventional ICP instruments.
Instrument : ICPE-9800 series
Radio Frequency Power : 1.2 kW
Plasma Gas Flowrate : 10 L/min
Auxiliary Gas Flowrate : 0.6 L/min
Carrier Gas Flowrate : 0.7 L/min
Sample Introduction : Nebulizer 10
Misting Chamber : Cyclone chamber
Plasma Torch : Mini Torch
Observation : Axial (AX)
Measurement Time : 2.5 min/sample (Including rinse time)
