Rapid Quantitative Analysis Of Lead And Other Trace Metals In Glass Containers By Handheld Ed-Xrf

Due to limitations imposed by the law and quality control requirements, analyses of lead and other metals (such as Fe, As, Cr, Mn) in food and beverage glass containers are routinely performed by different laboratory techniques (inductively coupled plasma (ICP), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), conventional wavelength dispersive x-ray fluorescence (WD-XRF), etc). However, these techniques are time consuming and require, in many cases, complex experimental setups. In order to develop a rapid and easy-to-use analytical method, test measurements were performed using the new generation hand held energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) analyser. The analyses were performed on different types of soda-lime-silica glass containers (white, half white, emerald green, yellow-green and amber). The samples were first analyzed using conventional WD-XRF. Afterwards, the same containers were analyzed using a handheld XRF analyzer previously calibrated with certified reference standard materials (CRM) and internal reference samples analyzed by wet chemistry. Analyses were performed on prepared flat polished samples as well as on the original container surface without any sample preparation. The results enabled to us to verify that the handheld ED-XRF analyzer can perform a rapid quantitative analysis of lead and other trace materials in glass containers, with a high level of accuracy and precision, even without any sample preparation. The measured lower limits of detection (for example 30 mg/kg for PbO), are well below the analytical needs pertaining to the elements considered. Moreover, after instrument calibration no skilled operators are required for carrying out the measurements.