What we measure
The core panel covers the four elements that nearly every specification and retailer requirement names. Additional elements can be quoted on request when a material or market calls for them.
| Element | Why it matters | Technique |
|---|---|---|
| Lead (Pb) | The element most often limited by daily-intake rules and consumer-warning thresholds. | ICP-MS |
| Arsenic (As) | Common in rice-, algae- and mineral-derived ingredients. Total arsenic reported; speciation quoted separately. | ICP-MS |
| Cadmium (Cd) | Accumulates in cacao, leafy botanicals and hemp grown in contaminated soil. | ICP-MS |
| Mercury (Hg) | A concern in marine oils, seaweed and some mineral sources. | ICP-MS |
How the analysis works
Samples are homogenized and digested with acid in a closed-vessel microwave system, which turns the organic matrix into a clear solution and keeps volatile elements from escaping. The digest is then run on an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS), which separates and counts ions of each element. Every batch carries method blanks, calibration checks and spiked samples so that each number on the report can be traced back to quality-control data.
The approach follows the widely used compendial and EPA-style frameworks for elemental impurities (for example USP <232>/<233>/<2232> and EPA 200.8-type procedures). Which reference method applies to your product is confirmed when we quote.
Products we test
- Capsules, tablets, powders, gummies and liquid supplements
- Botanical raw materials and extracts
- Hemp flower, extracts, tinctures and edibles
- Protein powders, foods and beverages
- Mineral and marine-derived ingredients
What you receive
A Certificate of Analysis listing each element, the result in parts per million or per billion, the limit of quantitation, and, if you give us one, a pass/fail against your specification. We can also convert results into a per-serving exposure figure when you send us the serving size.
Turnaround and pricing
Turnaround depends on the test, the number of samples and the time of year. Standard and rush options are quoted per project. PENDING: turnaround times + pricing
Have a product that needs testing?
Tell us what it is and what you need to know. We will recommend the right tests and send a quote.