Applied Technical Services’ (ATS’s) qualified chemical experts provide elemental impurity testing by ICP-MS. This test method is a highly sensitive analytical technique used to detect and measure trace levels of metallic and semi-metallic elements, also known as elemental impurities, in a wide range of products.
What Is ICP-MS?
ICP-MS is a hybrid technique that combines the benefits of the Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) method with the detection and measurement capabilities of Mass Spectrometry (MS). Technicians first digest a solid sample into a liquid matrix using acid before introducing it to the ICP. This instrument employs a high-temperature plasma (between 6,000 and 10,000 K) to ionize the analyte. A mass spectrometer then analyzes these ions, separating them based on their mass-to-charge ratio. This process allows our labs to precisely quantify elements at even ultra-trace (parts-per-billion or -trillion) levels.
Why Use ICP-MS for Elemental Impurities?
ICP-MS sees use across various industries due to its exceptional sensitivity, precision, and ability to meet stringent regulatory standards in elemental impurity detection. In the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, compliance with exacting industry guidelines requires safeguarding patient health by detecting and removing toxins from product formulations before they go to market. The food and beverage industry relies on ICP-MS to comply with FDA and EPA regulations by monitoring for the presence of harmful elements, such as lead, arsenic, and mercury, in consumables. Companies in the cosmetics and personal care industry request this method to screen products such as makeup, lotions, and shampoos for heavy metal contaminants, helping brands meet consumer safety expectations and regulatory requirements. Elemental impurity testing by ICP-MS delivers the sensitivity and reliability necessary to support each of these applications, serving as a key feature in the process to ensure the safety and compliance of client products.
About ATS
Established in 1967 as a consulting engineering firm, ATS has developed into a nationally recognized provider of calibration, inspection, and testing services. Our organization, a Family of Companies comprising a nationwide network of expertise, operates according to our ISO 9001:2015 registered quality management system. We specialize in delivering customized, high-quality testing solutions to help clients across a variety of industries reduce their costs, eliminate unnecessary waste, and minimize procedural complexity.
Contact Us
To learn more or request elemental impurity testing by ICP-MS, call us at +1 (888) 287-5227 or complete the inquiry form on this page.
