Cadmium in Platics by ICPMS

Interlaboratory Study

We are pleased to announce that we participated in an international, interlaboratory study on cadmium (Cd) in PVC during October 2001. The study was conducted by the Institute for Interlaboratory Studies (Dordrecht, NLD). The study consisted of 3 commercial samples of PVC plastic with varying amounts of Cd. The purpose of the study was provide precision and accuracy data in support of EC restrictions on total Cd to 100 mg/Kg. Thirty-two laboratories from 19 countries participated.

Since we routinely test for Prop 65 and environmental regulations in many products, especially lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and other toxic, heavy metals, we were quite interested in participating in this study. Over the years WCAS has participated in

studies from USEPA, USGS, NIOSH, ASTM, CA ELAP and CDFA, and others, some required for accreditation and others strictly voluntary.

Cadmium Results Summary

Sample	Mean Result mg/kg	WCAS Reported	Z*
0105	596.6	505	-1.72
0106	166.2	173	0.46
0107	very low	0.8

* |Z| < 1 good, 1 < |Z| <2 satisfatory,
1 < |Z| < 3 questionable, |Z| > 3 unsatisfactory

Sample 0107 was chosen to have little or no Cd. Many labs reported ND. With ICPMS, our detection limit was <0.01 mg/kg.

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