BLC News
PAHs: potential contaminants in footwear components
21st June, 2011
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are environmental pollutants. Consisting of a group of over 100 different chemicals that are formed during the incomplete burning of coal, oil and gas, garbage, or other organic substances like tobacco.
PAHs are usually found as a mixture containing two or more of these compounds, and are comprised of fused aromatic rings, napthalene being the simplest example. PAHs can also be manufactured and used to make dyes, plastics, and pesticides.
PAHs are one of the most widespread organic pollutants having carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic properties and are as such controlled and restricted by either legislation or retailer/brand specifications.
Some PAHs are on the SVHC candidate list for REACH and there has become significantly more awareness of the issues relating to these chemicals within governments and businesses.
In view of the potential for PAHs to be present in plastics, it is possible that they can be contaminants of footwear components and other consumer goods.
BLC is able to offer fast turnaround PAH testing and provide advice on the presence and impact of PAH compounds.
BLC has invested in a new, state-of-the-art GCMS system to increase capacity and further improve the speed of our market leading delivery times for advanced analytical testing . The new instrument brings simultaneous SIM/SCAN functionality providing ultra low limits of detection together with fast accurate library matching. With several new methods in the pipeline, the analytical portfolio improves our speed and efficiency.
For further information on PAHs, chemical testing , REACH testing and related issues, please contact info@blcleathertech.com
