Analysis of Heavy Metals in Toys and Accessories by ICPE-9800 Series

Importance of the Topic

Affordable metal toys and accessories can release toxic heavy metals such as lead and cadmium when mouthed or swallowed by children. Regulators worldwide now require these products to undergo migration tests that simulate ingestion. Low-cost, high-throughput analysis with sufficient sensitivity is essential to ensure consumer safety and regulatory compliance.

Objectives and Study Overview

This study demonstrates the use of the Shimadzu ICPE-9800 series inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES) for rapid, multi-element quantification of heavy metals in commercially available toys and metal accessories. The aim was to verify that detection limits meet relevant ISO and EN71-Part3 standards and to compare measured concentrations against safety thresholds.

Methodology and Instrumentation

• Sample Selection: Five toy items (e.g., building blocks, toy vehicles) and two metal accessories (key rings, including pre-owned flea-market pieces) were tested.
• Sample Preparation: Based on EN71-Part3 dissolution protocols.
  
  • Paint Scraping: 0.1 g of paint fragments shaken with 5 mL of 0.07 mol/L HCl in the dark, then incubated at 37 °C for 1 h.
  • Accessory Elution: Weighed sample immersed in 0.07 mol/L HCl at 37 °C for 2 h in the dark.
  • Filtration and Dilution: Eluates filtered and brought to 20 mL with 0.07 mol/L HCl for analysis.
• Quantification: Calibration-curve method for elements including Pb, Cd, Cr, As, Sb, Ba, Ni, Cu, Zn, among others.

Used Instrumentation

• Shimadzu ICPE-9800 series multi-type ICP-AES.
  Key features: echelle spectrometer with CCD detector for simultaneous multi-wavelength measurement; mini-torch plasma with suppressed gas flow; Eco mode to reduce gas use and power consumption; vacuum spectrometer eliminating purge gas requirements.
• Analytical Conditions: RF power 1.2 kW; plasma gas 10 L/min; auxiliary gas 0.6 L/min; carrier gas 0.7 L/min; axial observation; analysis time ~2.5 min/sample including rinse.

Main Results and Discussion

• Detection Limits: Below 1/10 of reference values for key elements, enabling reliable trace quantification.
• Heavy Metal Levels: Lead was detected up to 477 mg/kg in one toy sample, exceeding EN and ISO limits. Cadmium and other regulated elements were generally below thresholds, though sporadic elevated readings appeared in certain accessories.
• Spectral Profiles: Clear, interference-free emission peaks at Pb 220.353 nm and Cd 228.802 nm demonstrated analytical precision across multiple samples.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• High Throughput: Simultaneous multi-element detection reduces total analysis time for large sample sets.
• Cost Efficiency: Low gas consumption and power usage lower per-sample running costs compared to conventional ICP systems.
• Regulatory Compliance: Meets ISO 8124-3 and EN 71-Part3 requirements for toy safety testing.

Future Trends and Potential Uses

Advances in portable and miniaturized ICP-AES instruments could enable on-site screening of goods at production facilities or points of sale. Integration with automated sample handlers and cloud-based data management will further streamline large-scale quality control in the toy and accessory industries.

Conclusion

The Shimadzu ICPE-9800 series ICP-AES provides rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective analysis of heavy metals in toys and metal accessories. Its robust performance and low detection limits make it a valuable tool for ensuring product safety and regulatory compliance.

References

• ISO 8124-1:2009 Safety of toys – Part 1.
• BS EN71-3:2013 Safety of toys – Migration of certain elements.