Measuring the concentration of a pollutant in a sample

Pollutant analysis in a sample involves identifying and quantifying the presence of organic or inorganic contaminants in various media (soil, air, water, materials, food). This analysis allows for the characterization of the nature, concentration, and distribution of pollutants, in order to assess their impact on the environment, human health, or the regulatory compliance of industrial products.
This type of analysis is essential for:

• Demonstrate the environmental compliance of a material or product.
• Identify a source of contamination in a manufacturing process.
• Meeting regulatory requirements (REACH, RoHS, CLP, etc.).
• Monitor the quality of packaging, polymers and materials in contact with food or cosmetic products.

Analytical methods used

The techniques used to quantify a pollutant depend on the chemical nature of the contaminant being sought. YesWeLab's partner laboratories use highly sensitive and selective methods:

• GC-MS (Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry) : suitable for the detection of volatile and semi-volatile organic pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) , pesticides , phthalates or solvent residues .
• LC-MS/MS (Liquid Chromatography coupled to Tandem Mass Spectrometry) : used for the analysis of non-volatile organic pollutants such as pharmaceuticals , endocrine disruptors , PFAS or polymeric additives .
• ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) and ICP-OES/ICP-AES (Atomic Emission Spectrometry) : reference techniques for the detection of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic) and trace elements .

These methods guarantee precise quantification , a very low limit of detection , and complete traceability of results .
For more information on these techniques, see also gas chromatography-MS , mass spectrometry (MS/MS) , or ICP-MS analysis .

Matrices involved

Pollutant analysis can be applied to a wide variety of matrices depending on the field of study:

• Water (drinking, wastewater, industrial, groundwater).
• Soils and sediments for environmental pollution assessment.
• Materials and polymers : verification of the conformity of packaging, plastics or composites.
• Food, plant extracts and finished products : control of chemical or metallic contamination.
• Industrial air and dust : monitoring of exposure to volatile organic compounds or metals.

These analyses help to guarantee product safety, prevent health risks and ensure compliance with environmental quality standards.

Industrial and regulatory applications

Pollutant measurement plays a key role in several industrial contexts:

• Quality control of materials and packaging : detection of contaminants from manufacturing processes or chemical migration.
• Environmental studies : monitoring of soil, water or air pollution as part of site assessments.
• Regulatory compliance : compliance with European and international requirements (REACH, RoHS, CLP, POPs, ISO 17025).
• Product safety : prevention of risks related to the presence of hazardous substances in formulations or packaging.

For polymers and packaging materials , this type of analysis can be supplemented by:

• The dosage of phthalates , often used as plasticizers.
• The determination of bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogues (BPS, GMP, BADGE, BFDGE) for food and regulatory compliance.
• Global and specific migration analysis to assess the safety of materials in contact with food.

Challenges and benefits for manufacturers

The detection and quantification of pollutants allow us to:

• Anticipate regulatory non-conformities and avoid product recalls.
• Ensure environmental traceability of production processes.
• Optimize formulations to reduce the presence of undesirable contaminants.
• Strengthen transparency and trust with customers and partners.

The results of the analyses provide essential data for chemical risk management , REACH compliance and certification of eco-designed products .

YesWeLab's expertise

YesWeLab provides you with a network of partner laboratories accredited to ISO 17025 and COFRAC standards , specializing in the analysis of organic and inorganic pollutants.
Our experts select the most suitable analytical method based on the matrix, the type of pollutant, and the required detection limit.
Through our digital platform , you can centralize your analysis requests, track your samples, and view your results online.

For any specific request — whether it is an environmental study, a compliance check or an in-depth chemical characterization — contact our scientific team for tailored support.