XRF Applications Blog

Friday, February 12, 2010

Cadmium Testing on Buffalo, NY News Report

Eastern Applied Research, Inc recently had the opportunity to work with Buffalo, NY's Channel 4 News on a report about Cadmium content in childrens product.  The report featured interviews with Eastern Applied employees and some good video of toy testing with the Quickshot XRF handheld system.

In addition to the taped report, Quality Manager Shannon Carder visited the stations morning show to test some childrens jewelry during the program.  Using a desktop x-ray fluorescence analyzer; the tests shows that all but one item was 'clean' (did not contain identifiable levels of lead or cadmium).  However, one portion of a charm bracelet did contain excessive levels of one of the hazardous metals.

The report and morning show clip can be viewed through this link.

Many people believe that the only way that toxic metals can affect a persons health is through ingestion or chewing on an item with high levels of Lead or Cadmium.  however, Cadmium can create health problems in children simply by touching a contaminated item (asterik here because I'm sure its not just a finger touching an item for a second).

The awareness that reports similar to this one created regarding Lead in Childrens Product helped to limit (not eliminate) issues relating to Lead.  However, it also created the increased use of Cadmium in the manufacturing process - it will be interesting to see how the awareness of this new hazardous substance in goods will end up...

Please contact Eastern Applied Research if you have any questions or concerns regarding XRF testing of childrens products.  We were happy to help on this report and look forward to future opportunities to draw awareness to this issue.

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• RoHS and Lead Testing