GPEC 2004 Paper Abstract #14: Title: Feasibility of Analysis and Screening of Plastics for Heavy Metals with Portable X-ray Fluorescence Analyser with Miniture X-ray Tube Author(s):

Metals and metal compounds have been used for many years in the manufacture of plastic products. The metallic compounds added to plastics although encapsulated in polymer matrix are usually not chemically bound to polymer molecules and consequently can gradually be released to environment over the service life of a plastic made object. Similarly, when disposing of plastic waste either by incineration or by placing it in a landfill, toxic metals released from plastics can enter atmosphere or leach into soil. Environmentally responsible handling of plastics requires monitoring of potentially toxic elements in plastics during their production, recycling and disposal operations. In this paper we report on application of a small, lightweight (1.5 kg), battery operated portable X-ray fluorescence analyzer for in-situ analysis and screening of plastic for toxic metals.