CAMBRIDGE, UK (September 17, 2009) – Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, today announced a new application note to illustrate the capabilities of its Thermo Scientific iCAP 6200 ICP spectrometer for the analysis of toxic trace elements in children’s toys. The dual-view ICP instrument offers pre-optimized sample introduction settings and analysis-ready software method templates. The new application note, entitled “Analysis of migratory elements in toy samples using the Thermo Scientific iCAP 6200 ICP spectrometer,” assesses the performance of the iCAP 6200 ICP for the routine analysis of toy samples for consumer safety verification. It is available for download in the literature library at www.thermo.com/icap.
Manufacturers routinely analyze toy samples for toxic trace elements, but a number of recent cases of contaminated toys suggest that heavy metals are still present in consumer products. This has resulted in an increasing number of toy producers opting to perform in-house testing to ensure compliance with current regulations and protect consumers. For many, in-house testing can be less costly than outsourced analysis. Today, many regulations worldwide are based on a test method that monitors the levels of trace elements migrating from a toy material into an acidic solution. This simulates the release of elements when toy components are ingested by a child.
The application note details the analysis of three samples extracted from a toy car and a baby rattle, each prepared in accordance with ASTM F963-08 and EN71 Part 3. The study utilized the iCAP 6200’s integrated Thermo Scientific iTEVA software, which is supplied with pre-loaded method templates that enable protocol-compliant sample analysis in the environment, food safety, toy safety and WEEE/RoHS market sectors. These templates, combined with the instrument’s pre-optimized sample introduction system, enable simple, consistent out-of-the-box operation and ensure both novice and experienced ICP users can achieve powerful analytical performance with minimal method development requirements.
The capabilities of the iCAP 6200 ICP spectrometer are further examined in a webinar that is available free-of-charge via www.spectroscopynow.com/thermowebinars. The webinar is ideal for routine laboratories running, or considering, ICP technology, and explores how to achieve the utmost efficiency while remaining confident about the quality and reliability of results. Areas covered include: considerations for ICP instrument selection, optimizing technology for cost efficiency and hints and tips to achieve pain-free method development. The webinar features examples from environmental and food/consumer safety applications.
For more information about the Thermo Scientific iCAP 6200 ICP or to obtain a copy of the application note, please call 1-800-532-4752, e-mail analyze@thermofisher.com or visit www.thermo.com/icap.
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About Thermo Fisher Scientific
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) is the world leader in serving science, enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. With 2008 revenues of $10.5 billion, we have approximately 34,000 employees and serve over 350,000 customers within pharmaceutical and biotech companies, hospitals and clinical diagnostic labs, universities, research institutions and government agencies, as well as environmental and industrial process control settings. Serving customers through two premier brands, Thermo Scientific and Fisher Scientific, we help solve analytical challenges from routine testing to complex research and discovery. The Thermo Scientific brand represents a complete range of high-end analytical instruments as well as laboratory equipment, software, services, consumables and reagents to enable integrated laboratory workflow solutions. Fisher Scientific provides a complete portfolio of laboratory equipment, chemicals, supplies and services used in healthcare, scientific research, safety and education. Together, we offer the most convenient purchasing options to customers and continuously advance our technologies to accelerate the pace of scientific discovery, enhance value for customers and fuel growth for shareholders and employees alike. Visit www.thermofisher.com.
