Heavy Metals in Packaging

While most reports of hazardous substance testing focuses on consumer products (cosmetics, toys, jewelry, etc) little has been discussed regarding heavy metals in packaging. However, the need for appropriate testing of packaging for contaminants is growing in awareness. This is thanks to state laws that are being developed to prevent heavy metals found in packaging materials from eventually ending up in our environment.


The Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH) performed a study (and a subsequent report) in which they used X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) to test a wide range of retail packaging including aluminum, glass, paper, plastics, etc. According to the report, sixteen percent of the tested packaging failed the screening for heavy metals and would likely be in violation of state laws. Most failure was related to traces of lead and cadmium in imported flexible polyvinylchloride (PVC) packages and inks/colorants used on plastic bags.

In the report, the TPCH utilized portable XRF technology and verified the results with a bench-top XRF System – both style of XRF provided results that would be acceptable in hazardous substance reporting. Based on its study, "TPCH and its member states support the use of XRF technology to screen packages and packaging materials for compliance with state requirements."

Skyray XRF offers a new choice in portable XRF technology for North America; the POCKET-II Portable XRF System – with a lower cost than currently available models, this unit provides portability, Bluetooth technology and a weight of less than four pounds. Skyray XRF also has various bench-top models available for HS testing.

As previously noted, awareness is growing through individual states development of Toxics in Packaging Laws. In 1989 a model for legislation of this type was developed and since then nineteen states have adopted similar legislation; including (but not limited to) California, Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island (members of the TPCH).