Ensuring Compliance: LIBS as a Tool for Toxic Metal Detection in Glass Printing

In today’s regulatory environment, industries are under increasing pressure to ensure their materials and processes meet stringent safety standards. Detecting harmful substances quickly and accurately is crucial for compliance and public health. Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is an advanced analytical method that meets these needs with remarkable efficiency.

Recently, we conducted an analysis on two samples of borosilicate glass using LIBS to determine whether the glass coatings contained toxic metals, specifically lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd). Our findings indeed confirmed the presence of toxic elements in one of the samples.

Based on the measurements carried out with our Sci-Trace, we were able to conclusively identify the presence of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in the non-certified sample. The very intense signals observed at the emission lines for these elements, along with their frequency during the measurement process and the general ease of detection, suggest that these elements are present in significant amounts in this coating.

Detection of Pb in certified coating (black line) and non-certified coating (red line)

Detection of Cd in certified coating (black line) and non-certified coating (red line)

Toxic metals were found not only directly in the print but also in the glass surrounding the printing area. Analysis of the surrounding glass revealed the presence of lead and cadmium in the non-certified sample.

The use of LIBS in the glass industry is truly versatile. LIBS can be employed to analyze glass composition, identify impurities such as grains or gas bubbles, investigate excluded phases, and more. By detecting toxic metals in glass with this analysis, we have further confirmed the broad applicability of LIBS in the industry, not limited to just the glass sector.

This analysis highlights the potential for Sci-Trace to significantly contribute to the monitoring and regulation of permissible processes in the EU regarding the use of toxic chemical substances. Traditional methods for controlling the presence of prohibited elements, such as lead, are often complex and time-consuming. Sice-Trace, however, offers a rapid and effective solution for detecting toxic substances in materials, which makes it a valuable tool for ensuring compliance with safety standards and protecting public health.