Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV
Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV

Environmental analysis - Analysis of contaminants

Analysis of environmental samples

We test for contaminants

We use sensitive chemical analysis methods (GC-MS, LC-MS) to test your product samples, environmental samples, and food samples for persistent organic pollutants (POPs), substances of very high concern (SVHCs), and other as yet unlisted contaminants and hazardous substances. We also develop customized analytical methods for specific trace analyses. Our extensive analytical facilities enable us to adapt the analytical methods to your specific samples and requirements.

Furthermore, we analyze, account for, and evaluate contaminants in industrial production processes and in recycling processes.

Our range of services in the field of analysis of contaminants

Analysis of perfluorinated compounds

 

We test soil, water, and food samples for PFT, PFC, PFAA, PFOS, PFOA, H4PFOS, FTOH, and PAP.

Analysis of plasticizers

We analyze phthalates, DEHP, adipates, DEHA, DINCH, DINP, ESBO in packaging materials, consumer products, foods, and environmental samples.

 

Analysis of flame retardants

We analyze recycled plastics for brominated and phosphorus-based flame retardants such as HBCD, PBDE, PBB, TBBPA, TCEP, and TCPP.

Rapid test for HBCDD

We support you in the analysis of contaminants

 

We test for listed and unlisted contaminants and hazardouz substances.

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Contaminants in foods

We perform trace analyses on food samples in order to protect consumers. We analyze food samples for contamination with, for example, herbicides, plasticizers, PACs, and perfluorinated compounds.

Development of analytical methods

For unknown contaminants and hazardous substances we develop specific analytical methods customized to the samples.

Research – impurities and contaminants

We are continually researching and improving analytical methods for trace substances and for the specific determination of substances in complex matrices (e.g. in foods, paper and cardboard, biological samples, breast milk, and environmental samples). The focus of our research is in particular SVHCs (substances of very high concern) and POPs such as organofluorine compounds (PFAS, PFC), mineral oil components (MOSH/MOAH), phthalates/plasticizers, and flame retardants. The objective is to enhance the measurement sensitivity and selectivity and simultaneously the economics of the analytical methods.

Instrumentation for environmental analytics

  • GCs with ECD and FID detectors
  • Low resolution mass spectrometers (Shimadzu QP-2010, Thermo DSQ II, and Thermo ITQ1100)
  • High resolution mass spectrometers Finnigan MAT-95 XL and MAT-95 S with GC/MS coupling and direct inlet probe
  • GC/EPED (Echelle Plasma Emission Detector)
  • HPLC-MS (triple quad and ion trap technology)
  • X-ray fluorescence (XRF) (energy and wavelength dispersive)
  • LC-GC coupling for mineral oil analysis
  • Waters SYNAPT G2-Si (Q-TOF, high resolution) with direct inlet, ESI, heated ESI, APCI, APPI, ASAP, and APGC coupling

Research projects

Further information