ICP-MS
Heavy metals and trace elements down to ppt.
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry is the most sensitive elemental technique available. We simultaneously detect 72 elements in the ppb–ppt range, fully compliant with ICH Q3D (Elemental Impurities).
What we measure
- Heavy metals: Pb, As, Cd, Hg (mandatory for pharma)
- Catalyst residues: Pd, Pt, Ir, Os, Ru, Rh
- ICH Q3D Class 1 + 2A elements (Co, V, Ni)
- PDE compliance check (oral / parenteral / inhalation)
- Macroelement determination (Ca, Mg, K, Na) in supplements
- Trace elements in food per EU 1881/2006
- Semi-quantitative scan of 72 elements
Microwave digestion (HNO₃ + H₂O₂, up to 250 °C) in closed vessels — eliminates contamination and ensures complete dissolution. Minimum sample: 100 mg solid / 2 ml liquid.
Instruments + methods
Technical specs- System
- Agilent 7900 ICP-MS + ORS4 (helium mode)
- Mass range
- 2–290 amu
- Detection
- Dual-mode, ppt to wt%
- Digestion
- Milestone UltraWAVE, up to 250 °C / 160 bar
- Reference materials
- NIST SRM + CRM with certificate
- Accreditation
- ISO/IEC 17025 (scope AL-1142/ICP-MS)
from 24 900 ISK
7–10 days standard
Related questions
02 Q- 01
Is the analysis compliant with USP <232> / <233>?
Yes. Procedures meet USP <233> (validation of elemental impurities) and EP 2.4.20 / ICH Q3D requirements. Report includes PDE assessment per route of administration.
- 02
What are Pd/Pt catalysts and why do we test them?
Many API syntheses use transition metal catalysts (hydrogenations, coupling reactions). Residues must be < 1 ppm per ICH Q3D. We quantify them at 50 ppb level.