Toxic Metals in Packaging

Effective January 1, 2006, California now regulates toxic metals in packaging materials. Several other states have done the same since 1990. Packaging materials make up a significant portion of wastes, and by controlling the manufacture and supply of toxic materials, we can control the pollution. This approach is very similar to the EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) regulations.

CA Department of Toxic Substances Control is tasked with enforcing the law. The law restricts the sale of packaging materials which are intentionally produced with lead, cadmium, mercury, or hexavalent chromium. It allows the sale of materials that contain less than a total of 100 ppm of these toxic metals

CA DTSC Toxics in Pakaging

RoHS Testing

XRF Testing

ICPMS Testing

CrVI Testing

Toxic Metals Testing

Testing is usually a two step process. First the sample is screened for the presence of these toxic metals using x-ray fluorescence (XRF). If the results are near or above the limit (100 ppm total), a second step may be performed. This second step may include using one or more techniques to digest and measure the metals.

Lead (Pb) is usually the problem element. High levels (thousands of ppm) have been found in some plastics, inks, paints, and coatings. Occasionally chromium (Cr) may be detected and require an additional test to measure the amount of hexavalent chromium present (CrVI).

Tests should be run on individual, homogenous components of the packaging materials. Many materials contain adhesives, inks, cardboard, plastics, etc. Most of these individual components may be clean, but there may be one component that contains high levels of one or more toxic metals. This has been very common for electronic materials (RoHS), jewelry, toys, etc.

Exova routinely performs these tests under strict quality control. We voluntarily participate in international round robin testing programs.

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