(openPR) - Woburn, MA--- As a result of rapid sales growth for portable XRF for testing of toys and imports, Innov-X Systems has developed technical documentation for analysis of lead and other metals in toys and consumer products. The company has seen rapidly increasing sales of its handheld XRF product for these applications. Based on input from customers and independent testing laboratories using Innov-X analyzers, a need exists for a standard operation procedures and better calibration methods.

Handheld XRF is an excellent tool for rapid screening of products. It is non-destructive, and can quickly determine if lead is present at elevated levels, or if present typically below the currently allowed level of 600 ppm (0.06% by weight). Moreover, XRF can analyze multiple elements simultaneously, including Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), Chromium (Cr), Arsenic (As), Barium (Ba), Antimony (Sb) and many others.

Portable XRF has been implemented very successfully for RoHS* screening applications, and it is tempting to simply replicate these procedures for toys. However, like any field-based measurement, there are limitations and the possibility for both false positives and false negatives if the user is not familiar with the technology and its limitations. For example, different XRF calibration methods must be used to generate quantitative data in ppm when analyzing coatings residing on top of bulk materials, versus simple bulk materials. XRF results for coatings are dependent upon lead concentrations and coating thickness. If the wrong method is used, then the XRF reading will change as a function of coating thickness and substrate thickness and substrate material even though the true ppm value of lead is the same. XRF has a non-negligible depth of penetration as well – typically 1-2 cm in plastic materials – thus operators must consider if the lead or other elements they detect are due to surface contamination or may be coming from an interior component.

Innov-X believes handheld XRF plays a vital role in assuring a safe supply of consumer products, and it is critical that the user community be supplied with enough technical data, training and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to assure proper usage of the equipment. Innov-X has reached out to customers, regulators and even consumers by offering free toy testing days and other screening services. The company has gathered hundreds of samples of all types of toys, and since the recalls began, our Applications Laboratory has been in the process of thoroughly evaluating the performance of handheld XRF technology on a wide variety of consumer products. The procedures and technical data provide limits of detection, repeatability and reproducibility (R&R) results. They also provide the operator with limitations and sample types that may yield misleading results. The technology is an excellent field screening tool now, and with more data and a method, Innov-X intends for the analysis to become semi-quantitative or quantitative as well.

Innov-X Systems greatly appreciates the feedback received from their customers, including major laboratories, and the regulatory community on their use of their portable XRF systems. They are using this valuable information to continue to develop the technology for this important testing problem, and to continue to provide training and educational materials in return. In anticipation of additional regulated elements and lower levels, they have also begun generating performance data for Barium (Ba), Antimony (Sb), Cadmium (Cd), Arsenic (As), Mercury (Hg), Chromium (Cr), Selenium (Se) in addition to Lead (Pb), based on suggested regulatory levels of 90 ppm in coatings and 400 ppm in bulk substrates.

Innov-X Systems provides free training to all their customers for the life of their instruments. They also continue to sponsor free toy testing days at health departments and other sites around the country. Please contact them at 866-4-Innov-X or 866-446-6689 if you would like to receive more information.

Visit www.innov-x-sys.com/en/products/guard/sop for more information on the technical data or SOP.

* The RoHS Directive is an EU Legal Directive for environmental regulations concerning the Restriction of Use of Hazardous Substances. The Directive requires the removal of six hazardous substances from electric and electronic equipment (Pb, Cd, Cr, Hg, Br compounds).

Sales Contact:
Suzanne Moller, North American Sales Manager
Email:sales@innovxsys.com

Media/PR Contact:
Carrie-Ann Doucette, Marketing Specialist
E-mail: advertising@innovxsys.com
E-mail: pr@innovxsys.com

Innov-X Systems, Inc.
100 Sylvan Road, Suite 500
Woburn, MA 01801
Toll Free: 866.4.Innov-X or 781.938.5005
Email: info@innovxsys.com

About Innov-X Systems
Innov-X Systems is a vital force in the x-ray fluorescence (XRF) industry. Their systems perform fast, accurate analysis in seconds to identify, differentiate and quantify most materials by elemental composition. Founded in 2001, they pioneered handheld XRF instrumentation using a miniature x-ray tube rather than radioactive isotopes. Innov-X has rapidly expanded into many other XRF areas. In the area of border security, their client list includes the Department of Energy for Nuclear Non-proliferation inspections, the US Customs Service for testing imported products, and the US Food and Drug Administration for testing food-related products for metals contamination. Other products include the new SEA-Mate™ System for marine on-board fluids analysis; the Mobile X-50, a portable benchtop XRF that in comparison to handheld units, delivers higher power and superior performance throughout the periodic table. Innov-X has also taken a leading position in custom XRF and online/automated XRF instrumentation.

With R&D and manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Innov-X has offices in Europe (the Netherlands), and Asia (Hong Kong). They maintain sales and service alliances in Canada, the Middle East, Latin America and worldwide. Service, installation and training is available in over 100 countries.

More company information is available at www.innovxsys.com/copr.
Product photos may be downloaded at: www.innov-x-sys.com/company/pressroom