Consumer products testing 'using GC-MS methods'

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques are being increasingly used to test consumer products for safety and environmental concerns, a new survey has revealed.

A study by market research firm BiZAcumen found that a "growing awareness" of the problems caused by common chemicals in goods is driving the move, with clothing, carpets and furniture topping the list of items being examined.

"GC testing along with other techniques, such as liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, are finding mainstream applications in the pharmaceutical drugs industry," it stated.

Another area in which the technology is deemed to be particularly lucrative is food, the organisation added, with worldwide trade becoming more and more liberalised.

This has resulted in the development and establishment of numerous regulations regarding quality and health standards of provisions.

According to GenomeWeb News, the National Center for Food Safety and Technology will be using a range of GC-MS lab equipment to develop new methods of looking at global food supply chains.