Toys are measured for a variety of physical and chemical properties to ensure their compliance with regulations and ultimately to ensure the safety of children handling them. There are several regulations and associated methodology for the measurement of metals in toys. Safety standards for toys are described by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and listed in ASTM 936-07. The testing for metals in toys is specified in the ASTM standard and follows the European standard EN 71, part 3, which is adopted into ISO 8124-3. EN 71, part 3 is being considered for revision with the potential addition of a number of elements for determination. Newly developed US regulations will be addressed.
We will discuss some of the various standards set by world-wide regulatory agencies with regard to heavy metals content and population exposure. These regulations include sample preparation schemes which vary from acetic acid extractions to simulated human digestive tract extractions, to complete sample dissolutions. Regulations may require paint scraping for evaluation of paint content only, while other regulations require whole product analysis. For the dissolution of whole product and paint, closed-vessel, microwave assisted sample digestion procedures are used. Although the actual ICP-OES measurement is rather straightforward, the sample preparation steps and protocols can be challenging. The ICP-OES technique was chosen as it is a multi-element technique with sufficient sensitivity needed for the elements of interest with reasonable cost and user experience requirements.
The determination of a suite of elements, including the ones currently regulated and elements being considered for future regulation will be performed. The choice of instrument, screening or quantitative, and conditions will be considered. The question of performing analysis in a changing regulatory environment with the need to maintain productivity will be considered and suggestions on alternatives will be presented.
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