Biodegradability in seawater according to OECD 306

We offer several accredited methods for determining the total fluorine (TF) content of combustible materials: EN 14582, based on combustion ion chromatography (CIC). The method is recommended by the Nordic Council of Ministers as a quick and powerful total fluorine screening technique., EN 15408 using oxygen bomb combustion treatment followed by ion chromatography (IC). This method can be applied to plastic sheets and granules, and it is also possible to determine the total content of S, Cl, and Br., ASTM D7359-23, based on oxidative pyrohydrolytic combustion, followed by CIC.. The most suitable method is typically selected based on the sample matrix. However, please let us know if you wish a specific standard to be followed. Sample preparation (air drying and milling of the sample to particles <1 mm) is included in the displayed price. This analysis is commonly used to evaluate packaging materials' compliance with the PFAS restriction outlined in the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). If TF content does not exceed 50 mg/kg (ppm), the material can be considered compliant without further testing.

GC-MS analysis of 16 PAH compounds, which are listed as high-priority pollutants by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The analyzed PAH compounds are: naphthalene [CAS: 91-20-3], acenaphthylene [CAS: 208-96-8], acenaphthene [CAS: 83-32-9], fluorene [CAS: 86-73-7], phenanthrene [CAS: 85-01-8], anthracene [CAS: 120-12-7], fluoranthene [CAS: 206-44-0], pyrene [CAS: 129-00-0], benz(a)anthracene [CAS: 56-55-3], chrysene [CAS: 218-01-9], benzo(b)fluoranthene [CAS: 205-99-2], benzo(k)fluoranthene [CAS: 207-08-9], benzo (a) pyrene [CAS: 50-32-8], dibenzo(ah)anthracene [CAS: 53-70-3], benzo (ghi) perylene [CAS: 191-24-2], indeno (123cd) pyrene [CAS: 193-39-5].

Determination of ready biodegradability in aerobic aqueous conditions in accordance with the OECD 301 guideline, which applies to polymers, chemicals, and other organic materials.  The test item is incubated in mineral medium with a microbial inoculum for 28 days under controlled aerobic conditions, alongside blanks, reference substance controls, and, where relevant, toxicity controls. Results are reported as the percentage of biodegradation, along with a degradation curve. A pass/fail interpretation against the criteria specified in the guideline will also be provided. Measurlabs offers testing with three of the six methods outlined in OECD 301: OECD 301B – CO₂ evolution test (result expressed against theoretical CO₂ production), OECD 301D – oxygen depletion in a closed bottle (result expressed against theoretical oxygen demand), OECD 301F – oxygen uptake by manometric respirometry (result expressed against theoretical oxygen demand). The most appropriate method is selected based on sample properties such as solubility, volatility, and expected biodegradation behavior.  All three tests can be used to support compliance with the REACH microplastics restriction under Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2055, which lists OECD 301B, D, and F among accepted methods for demonstrating degradability. Biodegradable polymers are exempted from the restriction.

Targeted screening and quantification of PFAS compounds in various materials with accredited in-house LC-MS/MS methods. Number of substances covered by the method 77 substances analyzed, 126 substances listed (salts of analyzed acids, alcohols, etc.), Total of 203 substances reported, A list of substances is provided in a separate appendix together with the quotation. Examples of target analytes include PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, and PFNA. The full list of compounds is available upon request. In addition to plastic and paper, the measurement is suitable for textiles, leather, wood, metals, paints, and coatings. One common application of this analysis is evaluating compliance with EU and US regulations on PFAS in food packaging. If this is the goal, a total (organic) fluorine (TOF) analysis should be conducted in addition to the targeted screening. We are happy to provide a single offer that includes both analyses.

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).

The new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) introduces additional requirements for the chemical safety of food packaging. This analysis package includes the following analyses required to demonstrate compliance: Total fluorine (TF), Heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, and Cr), Further targeted PFAS analyses are available if required/requested.. The displayed typical price applies to TF analysis and heavy metal determination, which are sufficient for most materials. According to a recently published Commission guidance document, further PFAS testing is not required if TF content is less than 50 ppm. Please describe the composition of the packaging material when requesting an offer (materials with metal components may require the testing procedure to be modified). Please also let us know how many materials you need tested, as we are happy to offer discounted pricing for large batches.

This metal screening analysis includes the semi-quantitative determination of 70 elements. The method can be used, for example, to determine the background concentrations of metals in environmental samples or to study the elemental distribution of unknown samples. Screening is also often performed to assess which metals should be analyzed by a quantitative method. The measurement is performed using a high-resolution ICP-MS technique (ICP-SFMS), which can identify very low elemental concentrations. A semi-quantitative determination of the following elements is included: Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, Fe, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Hg, Ho, I, Ir, K, La, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Nd, Ni, Os, P, Pb, Pd, Pr, Pt, Rb, Re, Rh, Ru, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, Tm, U, V, W, Y, Yb, Zn and Zr. However, please note that some elements may not be determinable due to matrix interference. During this semi-quantitative analysis, the instrument is calibrated for about 30 elements. The rest of the analytes are quantified using sensitivity factors for calibrated elements with similar mass and first ionization potential, considering isotope abundances. Quantitative analysis is also available at an additional price. During this analysis, all elements are calibrated (excluding halogens and Os). Please ask for an offer for this service.

Determination of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen content of an organic sample. CHNS analysis (”LECO analysis”) is performed using a flash combustion method, where the sample is combusted under 25 kPa of O2 at an elevated temperature (1,000 °C), followed by gas chromatography separation and detection using a thermal conductivity detector. Oxygen is analyzed by reduction on granulated carbon at 1480 °C, utilizing high-temperature thermal decomposition and conversion of oxygen into carbon monoxide before gas chromatography separation and detection with a thermal conductivity detector. The sample can be either solid or liquid, but water in the sample affects the results. In the case of aqueous samples, it is possible to dry the sample before analysis. The displayed price includes the full CHNOS package with two parallel measurements and applies to conventional organic samples. The results are reported as wt-% of the initial sample. The addition of ash, drying, and dry loss measurements will increase the minimum required sample material to 300 mg. The analysis gives the total carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen content of the material, but it does not identify any chemical structures. The measurement can be combined with other methods, such as GC-MS, 1H, and 13C NMR, to perform substance structure identification. Analysis can be split into the following packages: CHN, O, and S.

Pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (py-GC-MS) analysis to determine the identity of an unknown polymer sample. During the measurement, the sample is instantaneously heated in an inert atmosphere or vacuum. This causes the sample to decompose into smaller molecular fragments, which are then analyzed with GC-MS. Different types of polymers can be identified by their unique decomposition products. This includes, but is not limited to: PE, PP, PS, ABS, PMMA, PET, PC, PVC, polyamides, natural & synthetic rubbers, and more. The price includes the basic preparation and qualitative analysis of the sample. More extensive sample preparation and quantitative analyses are subject to additional costs.

Determination of selected volatile organic compounds (VOC) in water using the GC-MS and GC-FID techniques. Analysis can be conducted according to the following standard methods: EPA 624, EPA 5021A, EPA 8260, EPA 8015, EN ISO 10301, ISO 11423-1, and EN ISO 15680 The results of the analysis are reported in µg/L. Analysis includes the following analytes: Analyte: Reporting limits: chloromethane 1 µg/l bromomethane 1 µg/l dichloromethane 0.1 µg/l dibromimetaani 1 µg/l bromochloromethane 2 µg/l trichloromethane (chloroform) 0.1 µg/l tribromomethane (bromoform) 0.2 µg/l bromodichloromethane 0.1 µg/l dibromochloromethane 0.1 µg/l sum 4 trihalometanit 0.5 µg/l tetrachloromethane 0.1 µg/l trichlorofluoromethane 1 µg/l dichlorodifluoromethane 1 µg/l monochloroethane 1 µg/l 1,1-dichloroethane 0.1 µg/l 1,2-dichloroethane 0.1 µg/l 1,2-dibromietaani 0.5 µg/l 1,1,1-trichloroethane 0.1 µg/l 1,1,2-trichloroethane 0.1 µg/l 1,1,1,2-tetrachloroethane 0.1 µg/l 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane 1 µg/l vinyl chloride 0.1 µg/l 1,1-dichloroethene 0.1 µg/l cis-1,2-dichloroethene 0.1 µg/l trans-1,2-dichloroethene 0.1 µg/l amount of 1,2-dichloroethene 0.2 µg/l trichloroethylene 0.1 µg/l sum of 11 chlorinated hydrocarbons 1.1 µg/l tetrachloroethene 0.1 µg/l Sum of trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene 0.2 µg/l sum 5 chlorinated ethylenes 0.5 µg/l 1,2-dichloropropane 1 µg/l 1,3-dichloropropane 1 µg/l 2,2-dichloropropane 1 µg/l 1,2,3-trichloropropane 1 µg/l 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane 1 µg/l 1,1-dichloro-1-propene 1 µg/l cis-1,3-dichloro-1-propene 1 µg/l trans-1,3-dichloropropene 1 µg/l hexachlorobutadiene 1 µg/l 2-chlorotoluene 1 µg/l 4-chlorotoluene 1 µg/l monochlorobenzene 0.1 µg/l bromobenzene 1 µg/l 1,2-dichlorobenzene 0.1 µg/l 1,3-dichlorobenzene 0.1 µg/l 1,4-dichlorobenzene 0.1 µg/l amount of 3 dichlorobenzene 0.3 µg/l 1,2,3-trichlorobenzene 0.1 µg/l 1,2,4- trichlorobenzene 0.1 µg/l 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene 0.1 µg/l amount of 3 trichlorobenzene 0.4 µg/l benzene 0.1 µg/l toluene 0.5 µg/l ethylbenzene 0.1 µg/l o-xylene 0.1 µg/l m/p-xylene 0.2 µg/l sum of xylenes 0.3 µg/l sum of BTEX 1 µg/l styrene 0.2 µg/l isopropylbenzene 1 µg/l n-propylbenzene 1 µg/l 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene 1 µg/l 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene 1 µg/l n-butylbenzene 1 µg/l sec-butylbenzene 1 µg/l tert-butylbenzene 1 µg/l p-isopropyltoluene 1 µg/l naphthalene 1 µg/l Diisopropyl ether (DIPE) 0.6 µg/l ETBE (ethyl tert-butyl ether) 0.2 µg/l MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether) 0.2 µg/l tert-amyl ethyl ether (TAEE) 0.2 µg/l TAME 0.2 µg/l tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) 5 µg/l ethanol 100 µg/l A customized offer can also be prepared if you are interested in analyzing only individual compounds from a sample. Suitable sample containers for analysis can be ordered through us. Sample containers picked up from Measurlabs are included in the price of the analysis, but sample containers can also be shipped to the customer for a separate fee.