EN
ZHBespoke chemical Testing
SATRA’s chemistry laboratories are fully equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and can characterise materials, including rubbers, polymers, natural and synthetic textiles, and leathers. The range of chemical techniques available include microwave digestion, inductively coupled plasma spectrometers (ICP-OES and ICP-MS), gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), liquid chromatography (HPLC), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). We also have 1m3 steady state chambers for the analysis of VOCs and formaldehyde emission from furniture and construction products.
SATRA can conduct on-site testing to quantify the amount of isocyanates, dust and solvent vapours in the workplace. This monitoring takes place in the workplace, with analysis carried out at SATRA’s laboratory. Where organic solvents are used in the workplace, for example in cleaners, paints, primers, adhesives and finishes, they can present a potential health hazard to those working close by. In most countries it is a legal requirement to monitor solvent vapour levels in the working atmosphere to ensure relevant Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) are not exceeded. Regular monitoring is also needed to check the effectiveness of any control measures and to ensure compliance with national legislation, such as COSHH or OSHA standard 29. Personal monitoring of solvent exposure levels can be easily carried out by using SATRA solvent vapour badges.
SATRA can offer a troubleshooting service which includes the assessment of adhesive bonding failures and mould. We can also assess odour-absorbing materials to predict their performance in the final product.
We are CPSC-accredited for the assessment of children’s products to the United States Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) and can assess the lead content of surface coatings, metals and polymers.
SATRA can test toys to EN 71-3 – ‘Migration of Certain Elements’, which assesses a product for restricted heavy metals such lead and cadmium (these metals may be used as stabilisers and pigments in toy materials).