Analysis of Toy Cars for Heavy Metal Content
Univeristy of the Free State | Analysis of paint used on toy cars | Experiment 1 | | Adele van As, 2007113232 | 4 August 2012 |
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Analysis of paints used on toy cars by means of ICP
Adele van As, 2007113232
University of the Free State, 4 August 2012
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was firstly to determine if any heavy metals were present in the paint used on toy cars, and secondly to determine what other elements, and in which quantities, were present. Two different digestion methods were followed, and both confirmed the presence of Ba and Fe, although the concentrations obtained by each method differed: higher values m/m% was obtained for all samples digested by HCl than for samples digested by acetic acid.
INTRODUCTION
Trace amounts of many natural occurring chemical elements such as sodium, magnesium and iron are needed for the proper functioning of the human body1. However, there are also elements which are toxic to the human body such as mercury, lead, thallium, arsenic, cadmium, nickel, selenium and barium. These metals are part of a loosely defined group known as “heavy metals”. The toxicity of most heavy metals are caused by the fact that they accumulate in the body over time, and interfere with biological activities, for example mercury, which irreversibly inhibits enzyme activity, and lead, which also inhibits enzyme activity and interferes with neurotransmitters, causing a wide range of side effects, some of which are life threatening2.
These heavy metals are used in many industrial manufacturing applications which include the manufacturing of pesticides, batteries, alloys, electroplated metal parts, textile dyes, and of particular importance for this study, paints3.
According to studies in the USA, it appears that paints are the leading cause of lead poisoning amongst children, and in particular, the paint found on toys4. In an attempt to ensure the safety of toys, certain international regulations have been formulated. ASTM F-963
|
Analysis of paints used on toy cars by means of ICP
Adele van As, 2007113232
University of the Free State, 4 August 2012
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was firstly to determine if any heavy metals were present in the paint used on toy cars, and secondly to determine what other elements, and in which quantities, were present. Two different digestion methods were followed, and both confirmed the presence of Ba and Fe, although the concentrations obtained by each method differed: higher values m/m% was obtained for all samples digested by HCl than for samples digested by acetic acid.
INTRODUCTION
Trace amounts of many natural occurring chemical elements such as sodium, magnesium and iron are needed for the proper functioning of the human body1. However, there are also elements which are toxic to the human body such as mercury, lead, thallium, arsenic, cadmium, nickel, selenium and barium. These metals are part of a loosely defined group known as “heavy metals”. The toxicity of most heavy metals are caused by the fact that they accumulate in the body over time, and interfere with biological activities, for example mercury, which irreversibly inhibits enzyme activity, and lead, which also inhibits enzyme activity and interferes with neurotransmitters, causing a wide range of side effects, some of which are life threatening2.
These heavy metals are used in many industrial manufacturing applications which include the manufacturing of pesticides, batteries, alloys, electroplated metal parts, textile dyes, and of particular importance for this study, paints3.
According to studies in the USA, it appears that paints are the leading cause of lead poisoning amongst children, and in particular, the paint found on toys4. In an attempt to ensure the safety of toys, certain international regulations have been formulated. ASTM F-963
References: 1. M. Yukawa, K. Amano, M. Suzuki-Yasumoto, M. Terai, Archives of Environmental Health, 1980, 35(1),36-44 2. H. A. Schroeder, I. H Tipton. Archives of Environmental Health, 1968, 17(6), 965-978 3. www.humet.com/acatalog/heavymetals.html (accessed on 4 August 2012) 4. D. E. Jacobs, R. P. Clickner, J. Y. Zhou, S. M. Viet, D. A. Marker, J. W. Rogers, D. C. Zeldin, P. Broene, W. Friedman, Environ Health Perspect, 2002 ,110(10), A599–A606. 5. http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia12/os/F963status03142012.pdf (accessed on 4 August 2012) 6.http://www.perkinelmer.com/CMSResources/Images/4474169APP_ICPOESToyAnalysisHeavyMetal.pdf (accessed on 4 August 2012) 7.http://www.groco.is/groco/upload/files/nemi/fraedigreinar/(perkin elmer)_guide_to_inorganic_analysis_in_aa_icp_oes_and_icp_ms.pdf (accessed on 4 August 2012)