Heavy metal testing detects contaminants like arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in dietary supplements, food, and cosmetics.
Advanced Laboratories runs accredited ICP-MS and ICP-OES analysis with transparent, per-element pricing and a 5-day turnaround, giving manufacturers validated data to verify mineral content, screen for contaminants, and protect product safety.
How ICP Heavy Metal Testing Works
ICP testing uses inductively coupled plasma to detect and measure elemental metals at trace concentrations. We run two complementary methods: ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) for ultra-low detection limits, and ICP-OES (optical emission spectrometry) for higher-concentration elements. Both read many elements in a single run, which keeps your cost down and your results fast.
Inside the instrument, a superheated plasma breaks each sample into its elemental components. That plasma runs between 6,000 and 10,000 kelvin, roughly the temperature of the sun’s surface, which is what lets it ionize metals cleanly. Before analysis, every sample goes through careful preparation and microwave digestion so target elements are fully recovered across a wide range of product types.
Raw materials grown in soil, along with botanicals, proteins, clays, and minerals, can pick up toxic elements from the environment. Screening for those contaminants helps you catch problems before a product ships. Many manufacturers pair heavy metal screening with pesticide residue and microbiological testing for a fuller picture of product quality.
California Proposition 65 Metals Testing
California Proposition 65 keeps tightening scrutiny on heavy metals in consumer products, especially supplements and botanical ingredients. We run ICP testing with microwave digestion to give you accurate, trace-level numbers you can use to evaluate products against California’s warning thresholds and support your own risk assessment. Our Top Four Heavy Metals group (arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury) runs by USP <233>/<730> at $90 including the digestion fee, with no upcharge for Prop 65 lead.
01 Mineral Analysis for Label Claims
Beyond contaminants, ICP analysis verifies the nutritional and functional minerals your label promises. Accurate mineral testing confirms that what’s on the panel matches what’s in the product, which supports quality control across every batch you run.
02 Why Choose Our Metals Testing Laboratory
Quality teams vet a lab before they ship a sample. Here is what you get with us:
- ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation at both labs (Salt Lake City, UT and Clayton, NC)
- 5-day standard turnaround on all analyses
- Transparent, per-element pricing published up front
- Automatic retesting of any out-of-spec (OOS) result at no extra cost
- Rush testing available when a deadline is tight
We test heavy metals and minerals for dietary supplements, protein powders, botanicals, personal care and cosmetic products, raw ingredients, and beverages. See the industries we serve.
Metals + Minerals Testing Questions
How does heavy metal testing differ from mineral testing?
Heavy metals testing screens for contaminants that can pose a safety risk, like lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. Minerals testing measures beneficial nutritional elements for label-claim verification and formulation work.
Why are ICP methods used for heavy metal testing?
ICP instruments measure elements at very low concentrations with high accuracy and reproducibility, and they read many elements in a single run. That sensitivity makes them well suited to trace contaminant screening and mineral quantitation alike.
Does Advanced Laboratories offer Proposition 65 testing?
Yes. We perform the heavy metals testing commonly used to support California Proposition 65 evaluations for supplements and other consumer products, including lead with no Prop 65 upcharge.
How long does heavy metal testing take?
Most heavy metal and mineral analyses come back on our 5-day standard turnaround. We process samples as they arrive instead of batching them weekly, and rush options are available when you are against a deadline.