Elemental Impurities Testing for Cannabis
(formerly Heavy Metal Testing)
Elemental Impurities results are available in 2-4 business days, with rush services available upon request for results within two business days.
According to the Colorado state mandate, all medical and recreational marijuana harvest batches and production batches of concentrates and infused products must undergo elemental impurities testing in the interest of consumer safety. Nordic Analytical Laboratories provides precision-level elemental impurities testing for clients at our Colorado cannabis labs, helping you ensure that your products adhere to state cannabis regulations.
Our Pueblo and Denver Cannabis Testing Facilities employ industry-leading standards to screen for the four elemental impurities as required under Colorado law: arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. Additionally, elemental impurities testing performed by Nordic Analytical Laboratories will be eligible for process validation (requirements for process validation and details about testing frequency can be located in the MED regulations). Elemental impurities testing is performed at our Denver lab location.
Where Do Elemental Impurities in Cannabis Come From?
Elemental impurities are a category of contaminants that can have a range of origination points, particularly in the cultivation and processing of cannabis plants and cannabis products. Various sources can contain elemental impurities, including soil, water, fertilizers, nutrients products, and others, providing an array of opportunities for a crop to become contaminated.
Cannabis plants are especially proficient at absorbing elemental impurities from the soil and any water sources, keeping them within the plants’ flowers. Machinery used in the production process can also contribute to elemental impurities contamination, while cannabinoid extractions processes for cannabis oils can also produce high concentrations of elemental impurities. Finally, packaging materials such as plastics and glassware, specifically those used for storage or vaporizer cartridges, can leach elemental impurities into the final product.
Although proper growing and production can minimize the risk of elemental impurities contamination, consistent regulation is required. Because there are so many opportunities for cannabis (and related products) to encounter significant levels of elemental impurities in both the agricultural and production processes, accurate testing is critical for consumer health and safety.
How Does Elemental Impurities Testing for Cannabis Work?
Nordic Analytical Laboratories completes elemental impurities testing using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). This method allows us to simultaneously test a sample for multiple elements and deliver highly accurate results.
Colorado state cannabis regulations outline acceptable elemental impurities concentration limits according to product type, as follows:
Emissions Testing for Vaporizer Delivery Devices
Elemental impurities testing of vaporizer delivery devices was added to the MED regulations in 2022. Nordic Analytical Laboratories is the first and only laboratory both nationally and internationally to have obtained ISO 17025 Accreditation for the collection and testing of cannabis vapor emissions. Although this test is not currently mandated and there are no implementation dates available at this time, Nordic is now offering R&D testing services. Contact our Denver or Pueblo laboratory today to learn more!
Inhaled Product and Metered Dosed Nasal Sprays:
Lead: < 0.5 ppm
Arsenic: < 0.2 ppm
Cadmium: < 0.2 ppm
Mercury: < 0.1 ppm
Topical and/or Transdermal Products:
Lead: < 10 ppm
Arsenic: < 3 ppm
Cadmium: < 3 ppm
Mercury: < 1 ppm
Oral Consumption & Rectal/Vaginal Administration Products:
Lead: < 1 ppm
Arsenic: < 1.5 ppm
Cadmium: < 0.5 ppm
Mercury: < 1.5 ppm
The detection limits utilized by Nordic Analytical Laboratories are markedly below Colorado’s state action limits, so you can be confident that you will receive highly sensitive results.
Partner with Colorado’s Most Trusted Cannabis Labs
for Elemental Impurities Testing
Nordic Analytical Laboratories is a leading cannabis testing facility in Colorado, holding the largest scope of accreditation in the state. We are collectively fully certified for all state-mandated cannabis testing, and our conveniently located laboratory locations are the first choice for clients throughout the state. Our expert team is proud to provide the highest standard of testing quality, accuracy, and efficiency, delivering exceptional results and excellent turnaround times.
Typically, our highly-trained team of scientists can complete cannabis elemental impurities testing in 2-4 business days, making us an ideal laboratory for clients in need of rapid but accurate results. For details regarding sample sizes, please see our Sample Submissions Requirements.
Rush services are now available for elemental impurities, with results available within two business days. Contact the laboratory today for pricing, or to reserve your rush requests.