Testing for trace metals & solvents
Trace Metal Testing
Trace metals are minerals present in living tissues in small amounts. There are 2 types, nutritionally essential and nonessential. These metals act as catalysts in enzyme systems; participate in oxidation-reduction reactions in energy metabolism and some are metallic ions.
All metals can be toxic if consumed at high levels, long-term but certain metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium are toxic to humans when they get inside the body and accumulate. Heavy metal poisoning is rare.
Eurofins offer the following trace metal tests and the table below will help you with the type of sample required and how long it takes to get your test result. Check with your local Laboratory for exact details when ordering a test.
| Metal | Sample Type | TAT in days |
| Aluminium | 2ml Lithium Heparin plasma Sodium Heparin plasma No gel separator tubes |
10 |
| Cadmium urine | urine | 17 |
| Cadmium blood | 5ml Lithium Heparin Whole Blood Sodium Heparin Whole Blood No gel separator tubes |
17 |
| Cobalt | 5ml blood Lithium Heparin Whole Blood Sodium Heparin Whole Blood No gel separator tubes |
17 |
| Chromium urine | urine | 17 |
| Chromium blood | 5ml Lithium Heparin Whole Blood Sodium Heparin Whole Blood No gel separator tubes |
17 |
| Copper urine | urine | 6 |
| Copper blood | 2ml Serum Lithium Heparin Plasma Sodium Heparin Plasma No gel separator tubes |
6 |
| Mercury urine | urine | 17 |
| Mercury blood | 5ml Lithium Heparin Whole Blood Sodium Heparin Whole Blood EDTA Trace Metal tube (Navy Blue Tube) No gel separator tubes |
17 |
| Nickel urine | urine | 17 |
| Nickel blood | 2ml Serum Lithium Heparin Plasma Sodium Heparin Plasma No gel separator tubes |
17 |
| Lead urine | urine | 17 |
| Lead blood | 5ml Lithium Heparin Whole Blood Sodium Heparin Whole Blood EDTA Trace Metal tube (Navy Blue Tube) No gel separator tubes |
17 |
| Selenium | 2ml Serum Lithium Heparin plasma Sodium Heparin plasma No gel separator tubes |
9 |
| Zinc | 2ml Serum Lithium Heparin Plasma Sodium Heparin Plasma No gel separator tubes |
6 |
Solvent Testing
Solvents can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin and certain occupations, such as painters, dry cleaners, auto mechanics, printers, and laboratory technicians are more at risk than others.
Eurofins test for a range of solvents - Benzene, Cyclohexane, Cyclohexanone, Dichloromethane, Methyl Ethyl Ketone, Perchloroethylene and Xylene.
| Solvent | Sample Type | TAT in days |
| Toulene | 10ml urine | 10 |
Environmental Toxins
Eurofins Biomnis is continually innovating, following the latest scientific discoveries & technologies.
PFAS Testing:
Our Antwerp laboratory was involved in PFAS testing during an extensive contamination in 2021. We refer PFAS to their expertise. PFAS are ‘forever chemicals’, used in many industry sectors to provide water-resistant, heat & chemical-resistant and reduced-friction properties in the manufacturing process. These chemicals persist in nature and are absorbed by humans via air, water and ingestion. Blood sample required. TAT: 4 - 5 weeks approx.
Microplastics:
Microplastics in humans are associated with systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and endocrine disruption. Eurofins have 6 specialist laboratories offering analytical techniques including FTIR, Raman, LDIR and Pyrolysis-GC/MS
Other Environmental Toxins:
If you have testing requirements for insecticides, pesticides and other Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) like phthalates, BPA, contact Eurofins Ireland.
For unexplained illness
- Think Environmental Toxicity
If you have patients with unexplained illness who have undergone multiple tests and still do not have an answer, think Environmental Toxicity. Industries most susceptible to Endocrine-disrupting-chemicals (EDCs) include cosmetics and personal care, agriculture, plastics & packaging, textiles and furniture.
Find a local laboratory
Three Rock Road, Sandyford Industrial Estate, Dublin,D18 A4C0, Ireland