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Trace Metal Analysis

ICP-MS and AAS quantification of toxic and nutritional metals in food, water, soil, air and waste matrices.

Overview What We Test Parameters Methods Accreditation Samples Process FAQ

Residues & Contaminants

About Heavy Metals / Trace Metals Testing

Toxic metals are cumulative poisons regulated at parts-per-billion, and they appear everywhere — lead in spices and toys, arsenic in rice and groundwater, cadmium in vegetables, mercury in fish. CVR Labs runs simultaneous multi-element analysis by ICP-MS and AAS across food, water, soil, effluent and biological matrices, quantifying the toxic elements (As, Pb, Cd, Hg, Ni) and the nutritional ones (Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu) in a single digestion.

Closed-vessel microwave digestion and certified reference materials keep recoveries traceable, so a result stands up to FSSAI, IS 10500, CPCB or export scrutiny. Whether you need lead in turmeric, arsenic in drinking water or a full metal panel on effluent, the method, limit and matrix are matched to your regulatory driver.

Heavy Metals / Trace Metals Testing at CVR Labs Chennai

Most Requested

Signature tests under Heavy Metals / Trace Metals Testing

The checks clients most often ask for with this service — we build the right sub-panel around your product and standard.

Lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercuryNickel, chromium, tinCopper, zinc, iron (nutritional)Hexavalent chromium Cr(VI)ICP-MS & AASMicrowave digestion + CRM QC

Test Coverage

What we analyse under Heavy Metals / Trace Metals Testing

The parameter groups below are drawn from this service's own accredited scope; the full searchable list follows.

Metals are toxic at trace levels

Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury harm health at µg/kg concentrations; only ICP-MS reliably quantifies them below regulatory limits.

Every matrix has its own limit

The same metal has different limits in food, water, soil and effluent — we report against the exact standard that governs your sample.

Digestion decides accuracy

Closed-vessel microwave digestion with certified reference materials is what makes a metal result defensible, not just a number.

Toxic & regulated metals

Lead as PbArsenic as AsCadmium as CdMercury as HgNickel as NiAntimony as Sb

Hexavalent chromium & speciation

Hexavalent Chromium as Cr+6Hexavalent Chromium as Cr6+Chromium as CrFerric Iron as FeFerrous Iron as Fe

Nutritional & mineral elements

Copper as CuZinc as ZnIron as FeManganese as MnSelenium as SeMolybdenum as Mo

Copper actives & specialised

Copper Hydroxide (as elemental Cu)Copper Oxychloride (as elemental Cu)Copper Sulphate (as elemental Cu)Cuprous Oxide (as elemental Cu)AbamectinEmamectin benzoate

NABL Scope of Accreditation

Heavy Metals / Trace Metals Testing — parameters & methods

Parameter / Test	Method / Standard
Hexavalent Chromium as Cr+6	EPA 3060A / EPA 7196 A
Aluminium as Al	IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001
Antimony as Sb	IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001
Arsenic as As	CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/003IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001
Barium as Ba	IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001
Beryllium as Be	CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/002
Boron as B	CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/002CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/012
Cadmium as Cd	CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/003IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005
Chromium as Cr	IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001
Cobalt as Co	CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001IS 3025 (PART 65)
Copper as Cu	CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/003IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005
Lead as Pb	CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/003IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001
Manganese as Mn	IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001
Mercury as Hg	AOAC 22nd Edition : 2015.01EPA 200.8EPA 29
Molybdenum as Mo	IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001
Nickel as Ni	CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/003IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001
Selenium as Se	IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001
Silver as Ag	IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001
Thallium as Tl	CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/002
Tin as Sn	CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/003CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005
Vanadium as V	CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/002
Zinc as Zn	CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/003IS 3025 (PART 65)
Hexavalent Chromium as Cr6+	3500-Cr B APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 52)
Iron as Fe	3500-Fe B APHA 24th EditionIS 3025 (Part 53)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005
Strontium as Sr	CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/005CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/001CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/012
Uranium as U	IS 3025 (PART 65)CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/012
Hexvalent Chromium (VI)	EPA 3060 A/7196 ACVR/WT/SOP/022
Copper Hydroxide (Copper determined as elemental Copper)	CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/003CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/004
Copper Oxychloride (Copper determined as elemental Copper)	CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/003CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/004
Copper Sulphate (Copper determined as elemental Copper)	CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/003CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/004
Cuprous Oxide (Copper determined as elemental Copper)	CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/003CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS/004
Abamectin	CVR/INS/SOP/LCMS-MS/004
Emamectin benzoate	CVR/INS/SOP/LCMS-MS/004
Ferric Iron as Fe	CVR/WT/SOP/38
Ferrous Iron as Fe	3500-Fe B APHA 24th Edition3500-Fe B APHA24th Edition

Need a parameter that isn't listed? Share your product and requirement and our technical team will confirm the applicable method, standard and turnaround, and advise whether it falls within our NABL scope. Contact our technical team →

Methods & Standards

How Heavy Metals / Trace Metals Testing is tested

Reference methods applied

ICP-MS (CVR/INS/SOP/ICPMS series)IS 3025 (PART 65)APHA 24th Edition (3500-Fe, 3500-Cr)EPA 3060A / EPA 7196A (Cr VI)AOAC 22nd Edition / EPA 200.8 (Hg)LC-MS/MS (Cu-based actives)

Where more than one standard applies, the appropriate method is selected for each sample and regulatory requirement. Multi-element metals are determined by ICP-MS under validated in-house CVR SOPs; hexavalent chromium follows EPA 3060A/7196A and the APHA 3500-Cr / IS 3025 colorimetric route; mercury runs to AOAC and EPA 200.8 — all within the accredited scope.

Accreditation & Recognition

Accreditations covering Heavy Metals / Trace Metals Testing

See the Accreditations & Scope page for full certificate details.

NABL

ISO 9001

Samples we accept

Samples we accept for Heavy Metals / Trace Metals Testing

Foodwatersoilsludgeeffluentair filterspackagingbiological matrices

How It Works

From enquiry to accredited report

Request a Quote

Share product, parameters and target standard.

Send Sample

Submit in sealed, labelled packaging or arrange pickup.

Login & Prep

Logged in LIMS with unique IDs and prepared.

Accredited Analysis

Validated NABL-scope methods on advanced instruments.

Test Report

Traceable, accredited report with limit comparison.

FAQ

Heavy Metals / Trace Metals Testing — frequently asked questions

Is Heavy Metals / Trace Metals Testing NABL-accredited at CVR Labs?

Yes. Heavy Metals / Trace Metals Testing is performed under CVR Labs' NABL ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation (Cert. NABLT0626TN18226) at our Chennai laboratory, with traceable, audit-ready reports accepted for compliance and submission.

Which metals can you test, and in what samples?

We quantify toxic metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, nickel) and nutritional elements (calcium, iron, zinc, copper) in food, water, soil, sludge, effluent and packaging by ICP-MS and AAS.

What detection levels do you reach?

ICP-MS routinely reaches parts-per-billion (µg/kg) levels, sufficient to confirm compliance below FSSAI, IS 10500 and importing-country metal limits.

How is accuracy assured for metal testing?

Closed-vessel microwave digestion, calibration against certified standards and recovery checks with certified reference materials make every result traceable and defensible.

What samples do you accept for Heavy Metals / Trace Metals Testing?

We routinely handle Food, water, soil, sludge, effluent, air filters, packaging, biological matrices. Share your exact sample type and target standard and our technical team will confirm the required quantity, method and turnaround.

What parameters are included in Heavy Metals / Trace Metals Testing?

The Heavy Metals / Trace Metals Testing panel covers 35 accredited parameters such as Hexavalent Chromium as Cr+6, Aluminium as Al, Antimony as Sb, Arsenic as As and Barium as Ba. The full searchable list is on this page — tell us your target and we'll map the right sub-panel for your sample.

Ready to test with an accredited laboratory?

NABL ISO/IEC 17025:2017 · ISO 9001 · ISO 45001 · CPCB · BIS — trusted since 1999.

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