Heavy metals testing

What are heavy metals and why test for them?

Heavy metals are naturally occurring metallic elements that can be toxic, even at low concentrations. Elements such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury pose significant risks to human health.

Contamination from metals comes from a number of sources: pollutants from industry, pesticides from agriculture and vehicle exhaust fumes increasing levels in the environment, resulting in pollution of soil and the water supply. Botanicals and plants such as hemp and tobacco can absorb metals and other compounds from the soil. Certain manufacturing processes may risk heavy metals contamination too. Vape devices can also generate metals through usage.

What products are at risk of contamination?

  • botanicals

  • CBD and hemp products

  • cosmetics

  • food supplements

  • mushrooms

  • vaping devices

It’s important to test products for potential contamination to ensure they are safe and comply with regulations, such as the General Products Safety Regulations 2005 (GPSR).

  • Here is a brief overview of the frameworks guiding the presence of metals and minerals in consumer products:

    • General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR) 2005: all products sold in the UK must be safe to consume

    • Regulation (EC) no 1881/2006 (England & Wales): provides maximum levels for metals in food

    • Regulation (EU) 2023 (Northern Ireland): provides maximum levels for metals in food

    • EU Cosmetic Regulation 2009: limits heavy metals in cosmetics.

  • Widely recognised by global regulators, we use a best-in-class Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometry (ICP-MS) for ultra-trace detection of metal and mineral impurities.

    The elements that we are able to analyse are:

    • arsenic, As

    • cadmium, Cd

    • chromium, Cr

    • copper, Cu

    • iron, Fe

    • lead, Pb

    • nickel, Ni

    • silver, Ag

    • tin, Sn

    • zinc, Zn.

Our other compliance services include:

Analytical testing with best-in-class ICP-MS :

  • ultra-trace detection results for ten different metals and minerals

  • fast turnaround from a UK lab in 10 to 15 working days

  • quality-led laboratory working to ISO standards

  • technical support from scientists with a wealth of experience.

Phone our friendly team or email hello@adactmedical.com.

We look forward to speaking with you soon.

CALL +44(0)1302 986088