Mercury dosage

Mercury analysis allows for the detection and quantification of this highly toxic heavy metal in a wide variety of matrices: water, soil, food, cosmetics, plant extracts, and nutraceutical supplements. Due to its acute toxicity and bioaccumulative properties, mercury monitoring is a major issue for public health, food safety, and regulatory compliance.

This analysis is performed by ICP-MS , ICP-OES , or atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) , depending on the nature of the sample and the expected concentration. YesWeLab's partner laboratories apply validated protocols and detection limits that comply with European regulatory requirements.

Mercury: a trace metal with a high toxicological impact

Mercury (chemical symbol Hg) is an element naturally present in the Earth's crust, but its concentrations in the environment are greatly increased by human activities: mining, coal combustion, incineration, and industrial emissions. It can exist in different chemical forms: elemental mercury (Hg⁰), inorganic mercury (Hg²⁺), or methylmercury (CH₃Hg⁺), the latter being the most toxic and the most persistent in food chains.

In living organisms, mercury interferes with numerous metabolic processes: it binds to sulfhydryl groups in proteins, disrupts enzymatic functions, and causes neurotoxic, immunotoxic, and renal effects. In humans, methylmercury accumulates primarily in nerve and muscle tissues, while in animals, it can become permanently integrated into the food chain.

Objectives and importance of mercury measurement

The analysis of mercury aims to:

• detect the presence of this metal in environmental or food matrices,
• to monitor the regulatory compliance of products with the maximum permitted thresholds,
• to ensure the safety of food, cosmetics and nutraceutical products,
• assess the potential contamination of raw materials of plant or marine origin,
• follow the pollution control and environmental assessment programs.

This analysis is particularly important for products of marine origin (fish, algae, fish oils), mineral cosmetics (clays, muds, powders), drinking waters and plant-based supplements that may concentrate heavy metals in their growing environment.

Analytical methods used

Mercury measurement relies on several reference instrumental techniques:

• ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) : the method of choice for the ultra-trace detection of mercury (down to a few ppt). It allows for multi-element analysis and offers excellent sensitivity, suitable for biological and environmental matrices.
• ICP-OES (induced plasma optical emission spectrometry) : a robust technique for the simultaneous quantification of several metals, used for samples containing higher concentrations.
• AAS (atomic absorption spectroscopy) with graphite furnace or cold vaporization: classic method used for the specific detection of total mercury, particularly in simple matrices (waters, mineral extracts).

According to the matrix, the analytical protocol may include acid digestion steps (microwave digestion) and preparation by reduction or chemical extraction before injection.

Mercury analysis is often performed in conjunction with other heavy metals to assess the overall contamination profile. YesWeLab offers analysis of lead , cadmium , chromium , and arsenic using the same ICP-MS and AAS techniques.

Industrial and regulatory applications

Mercury measurement is a requirement in many regulatory frameworks:

• Human food and nutraceuticals : control of heavy metal levels according to regulations (EC) No 1881/2006 and (EU) 2023/915, guaranteeing the safety of foodstuffs and supplements.
• Cosmetics : verification of the absence of mercury in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, which prohibits its use in the composition of products.
• Animal nutrition : control of raw materials and feed additives for animals in order to avoid cross-contamination and comply with Directive 2002/32/EC.
• Environment : monitoring of soil, sediment and water quality within the framework of environmental regulations (Water Framework Directive, effluent monitoring).

The analyses can also contribute to the validation of decontamination processes or to the certification of organic and natural products.

Carrying out analyses at YesWeLab

YesWeLab entrusts mercury testing to partner laboratories specializing in environmental and food analyses. These laboratories have ICP-MS and AAS graphite furnace equipment, ensuring detection at extremely low levels and compliance with international standards.

All results are delivered with traceability and in compliance with quality requirements, according to ISO 17025 standards and COFRAC accreditations.

The YesWeLab scientific team supports its clients from method selection to results interpretation, guaranteeing responsiveness, reliability, and compliance. Thanks to its digital platform, analysis management is centralized: quote requests, sample tracking, and secure report retrieval.

Since 2020, YesWeLab has been supporting food, nutraceutical, natural cosmetics and environmental manufacturers in controlling metallic contaminants and validating their products according to regulatory requirements.

Technical data

• CAS No.: 7439-97-6
• Methods: ICP-MS, ICP-OES, AAS (graphite furnace)
• Expertise: Physicochemical
• Business sectors: Human food, nutraceuticals, animal nutrition, environment, cosmetics
• Measured parameters: Total mercury (Hg)

For any specific request, contact our team to obtain a personalized quote and analytical advice tailored to your matrices and regulatory requirements.