Automated Extraction of Plasticizers from Toys

The US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act Section 108 requires that children’s toys and child care articles be tested for phthalate content.

A Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) test method exists for this determination (CPSC-CH C1001-09.3), but the method is a manual method that involves dissolving samples in THF followed by precipitation of the polymer, filtration and dilution, prior to analysis by GC-MS.

This approach is fine where a few samples have to be run, but for labs that run large numbers of samples on a regular basis, this is very inefficient and a poor use of skilled analysts’ time.

Using the GERSTEL MultiPurpose Sampler, all of these sample processing steps have been combined into a seamless automated procedure.

If you are involved in the determination of polymer additives, this article shows in detail how this was done and will give you a good idea of just what is possible.

If you have interest in automating this, or a similar application, please call us on +44 (0)1223 279210 or email enquiries@anatune.co.uk.