Asbestos in material samples (toys, construction products, etc.)

The EN 16516 standard outlines a test chamber method for determining volatile and semi-volatile organic compound (VOC and SVOC) emissions from construction products. Emissions are typically measured 28 days after the installation of representative test specimens in the test chamber. Conditions within the chamber are kept constant throughout the testing period, with the temperature at 23 ± 1 °C, relative humidity at 50 ± 5 %, air change rate at 0.5 per hour, and air velocity above the specimen at 0.1–0.3 m/s. The loading factor (ratio of exposed test specimen area to the empty chamber volume) is chosen based on product type and intended conditions of use. At the end of the test period, air is collected from the chamber using adsorbent tubes and analyzed by thermal desorption GC-MS (TD-GC/MS) to identify and quantify target compounds. The results will include: Individual concentrations of identified target compounds (including known carcinogenic VOCs), identified non-target compounds, and unidentified compounds. The last two are reported as toluene equivalents., Total VOC (TVOC), calculated as the sum of all compounds (identified and unidentified) eluting between and including n-hexane and n-hexadecane., Total SVOC (TSVOC), calculated as the sum of all compounds eluting after n-hexadecane, up to and including n-docosane.. For compliance assessment, the measured VOC levels can be compared with limits specified in national emissions standards or sustainability certifications, such as the German AgBB, French ANSES, Finnish M1 Emission Classification, or the Nordic Swan Ecolabel. Depending on the scheme, maximum limits can apply to TVOC, total carcinogenic VOC, and/or individual compounds, such as formaldehyde. The results for individual compounds can also be compared with EU-LCI values, harmonized health-based reference values based on the ‘lowest concentration of interest’ concept.

Determination of the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOC) released by solid or liquid samples. Suitable sample matrices include, for example, black mass of recycled batteries, polymer samples, and liquid and solid chemicals. The measurement is performed by placing the investigated sample in a chamber, through which nitrogen is flushed. The nitrogen is led through an absorption cartridge, which traps the VOC compounds. Upon completion of the gas collection, the trapped VOCs are analyzed with thermal desorption-gas chromatography (TD-GC). The measurement can either be performed at ambient temperature, or the sampling chamber can be heated up to 120 °C.

Determination of inhalable and respirable dust fractions present in indoor air. The aerodynamic diameters of the inhalable and respirable dust particles are < 100 µm and < 4 µm, respectively. The price includes a sample collector and a sample pump, which are delivered to the customer for sampling. Results are reported as mg/m³. According to the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health's decree on Hazardous Concentrations (538/2018), the normative threshold value for inhalable dust is 10 mg/m3 on an eight-hour average concentration.

During this analysis, the surface of a smooth and hard sample is imaged with an atomic force microscope (AFM). Topological images are typically provided from three locations around the sample. The measurement area is 5 x 5 micrometers, if not otherwise agreed. Measurements are typically done using the following instrument: Bruker Dimension Icon.

The burning rate of horizontally mounted materials designed to be used in vehicles and buses must be tested with the UN/ECE R118 annex 6 test before they can be approved for use. Measurlabs offers this and the other R118 tests with accreditation. In the test method, the exposed side of the test specimen is burned from underneath and the burning rate is measured and expressed in mm/min.

The melting behavior of fusible materials used in certain motor vehicles must be determined according to Annex 7 of UN/ECE Regulation 118. In the test, it is monitored whether the specimen ignites, creates flaming droplets, and if these droplets ignite cotton wool placed under the specimen. For the material to pass the test, there must be no formation of flaming drops that ignite the cotton wool. Measurlabs can offer accredited test reports for the UN/ECE R118 Annex 7 test, as well as the Annex 6 and Annex 8 tests. Non-isotropic materials must be tested from both sides, which means that double the number of samples is required.

Test to determine the mechanical and physical properties and safety of cutlery and feeding utensils intended for children from 0 to 48 months of age. The method is based on the EN 14372 standard.

Phthalates are a group of chemicals widely used as plasticizers, which make plastics more flexible and durable. They have also been used as additives in products such as cosmetics and personal care items. Several phthalates have been identified as endocrine-disrupting agents or as chemicals toxic to reproduction. Exposure to phthalates can occur through: Oral exposure Food: Exposure occurs via migration from food packaging., Children's toys: Children often put toys in their mouths.., Inhalation: Breathing in dust from vinyl flooring or fragrances (like perfumes) can cause exposure to phthalates via inhalation., Skin contact: Phthalates present in cosmetics, lotions, and soaps can be absorbed through the skin.. For other listed matrices apart from cosmetics, the analysis package covers the following substances included in the REACH Authorization List: Substance Abbreviation CAS number Diisobutyl phthalate DIBP 84-69-5 Dibutyl phthalate DBP 84-74-2 Benzyl butyl phthalate BBP 85-68-7 Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate DEHP 117-81-7 Di(n-octyl) phthalate DNOP 117-84-0 Diisononyl phthalate DINP 68515-48-0 Diisodecyl phthalate DIDP 26761-40-0 Products that contain restricted phthalates in concentrations higher than 0.1% may be removed from the market. The analysis package for cosmetic products contains the following phthalates: Substance Abbreviation CAS number Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate DEHP 117-81-7 Benzyl butyl phthalate BBP 85-68-7 Dibutyl phthalate DBP 84-74-2 Diisononyl phthalate DINP 68515-48-0 Di(n-octyl) phthalate DNOP 117-84-0 Diisodecyl phthalate DIDP 26761-40-0 All the above-mentioned substances are prohibited in cosmetic products (Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009).

N-nitrosamines and N-nitrosatable substances are present, usually in trace quantities, in various environmental media, certain food products, cosmetics, and rubber products. In particular, those found in rubber products are thought to originate from certain additives used in the vulcanization of rubber. Regulatory reference / standard Applicable materials Compliance limits Applicable reference method Commission Directive 93/11/EEC Elastomer or rubber teats and soothers N-nitrosamines released: 0.01 mg/kg N-nitrosatable substances released: 0.1 mg/kg EN 12868 EN 14350 Drinking accessories made of rubber and other elastomers BfR recommendation XXI/1 Commodities based on natural and synthetic rubber in contact with food N-nitrosamines: not detected above 1 µg/dm2 (sum of substances) - N-nitrosamines and N-nitrosatable substances are controlled by Commission Directive 93/11/EEC. In addition, recommendation XXI by Germany’s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has set the migration limit of N-nitrosamines from elastomers to food at ≤ 1.0 µg/dm². The test package covers analysis of the release of the following N-nitrosamines (free and after nitrosation) into artificial saliva simulant or a food simulant: Substance Abbreviation CAS No N-Nitrosodimethylamine NDMA 62-75-9 N-Nitrosodi-n-propylamine NDPA 621-64-7 N-Nitrosodi-n-butylamine NDBA 924-16-3 N-Nitrosopiperidine NPIP 100-75-4 N-Nitrosopyrrolidine NPYR 930-55-2 N-Nitrosomorpholine NMOR 59-89-2 N-Nitrosobenzylamine NDBzA 937-32-6 N-Nitrosodi-n-amylamine NDiNA 2050-92-2 N-Nitroso-methylphenylamine NMPhA 937-35-9 N-Nitrosoethylphenylamine NEPhA 612-64-6

Cement material heat of hydration test using Isothermal Conduction Calorimetry (ICC) according to standard EN 196-11.