You depend on trace metals analysis, even if you don't realize it. At it's very basic definition, trace metals analysis allows for the detection and identification of low levels of metals in a sample. Trace metals analysis in Austin, TX is done for a variety of reasons, like helping to identify contaminants and providing important data to help both process improvement and chemical product formulation development. Doing this is critical to product development, quality control, and regulatory compliance. Essentially, trace metals analysis is very important!
Let's go into it in a bit more detail now that you understand the basics of what it is and why it's necessary. You see, in a range of products, including but not limited to pharmaceuticals, chemicals, cosmetics, medical devices, and consumer products, it is important to understand which trace metals are present and the levels at which they are present in the sample. Why is this so critical? Trace metals can impact a product’s toxicity. Incredibly small amounts of metal can also affect how the substance interacts with other chemicals.
A trace metals testing lab in Austin, TX is looking for "trace levels" of the metals. A trace of something is just a hint or suggestion of it, a very small amount but an amount just large enough to be detected by powerful machines. Working at trace levels, the quality, performance and sensitivity of the analytical instrument is critical and typically, trace level analysis requires experienced staff. The experts who work at these labs know how to operate highly selective technology using accurate and reliable methods. These scientists are highly skilled in the accurate quantification of elements at trace levels and in a variety of challenging scenarios.
Products analysed for trace metal content include chemicals, packaging and pharmaceuticals, crude oil petroleum, consumer products, cosmetics, food, and beyond. It's easy to see why you would want to know your food and face lotion don't contain metals, even a trace amount of it. In fact, looking for trace toxic metals in lipstick is one of the most commonly-done analysis tasks. Traces of toxic metals can be found in some lipstick and lip gloss cosmetic products, such as lead, cadmium, chromium, aluminum, and manganese. Lipstick and lip gloss can be ingested or absorbed, daily intake level depends on usage. High levels of exposure to toxic metals can potentially harm human health, especially in children and small young adults. That is precisely why the scientists working on these tasks take their analysis so seriously!
Hopefully, this has helped you understand both why trace metal analysis is and why it is so important. Even if you hadn't realized it in the past, the fact that scientists are out there doing this kind of work affects many aspects of your daily life. Nearly everything you consume, put on your body, or goes near your body must be studied to ensure it doesn't have too much toxic metal. This is good news for us as the consumer!