Dr. Ehrenstorfer: What’s new this month - October 2020
Since 1975, Dr. Ehrenstorfer has built a reputation for consistently developing quality reference materials for residue analysis within environmental and food-based markets around the world.
We know our customers’ needs are not static. We constantly take into account upcoming regulatory changes, technological shifts, and market dynamics to make sure we can help them stay ahead of the curve.
This month, we’re shining the spotlight on a number of developments in our portfolio, including addition of a number of new pharmaceutical and veterinary compounds and metabolites. Find out more about the science behind these products in our blog post on the subject.
Our technical staff are always happy to advise on the suitability of a specific product, and how to use it. Simply contact your local office if you require assistance with the use or application of a particular reference standard.
Pharmaceutical and veterinary compounds and metabolites
Many products used to treat illness in both humans and animals can become problematic when used illegitimately. For instance, the nontherapeutic use of antibiotics in animals farmed for food products is estimated to account for 70 percent of total antibiotic use in the USA.
Because of this, a growing number of infections including pneumonia, tuberculosis, gonorrhoea, and salmonellosis are becoming harder to treat, and the widespread use of antibiotics in medical and agricultural practices is only accelerating the process. Our suite of reference standards includes a host of antimicrobials and their derivatives including ceftiofur, hexetidine, and acetylcysteine, to name but a few.
Our portfolio of pharmaceutical and veterinary compounds and their metabolites help laboratories around the world in the fight against food and environmental contamination.
Hydrocarbons and petrochemicals
Derived from petroleum or natural gas, hydrocarbons and petrochemicals play an essential role in many chemical industries fuelled by the demand for synthetic materials. Plastics, medicines, cosmetics, furniture, and electronic appliances all make use of these products.
Due to the use of plastics, it’s vital that these compounds do not make their way into food products and the wider environment. Our comprehensive range of high quality hydrocarbon and petrochemical standards helps support accurate analytical measurement and quality control, ensuring sound decisions are made based on reliable data.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
With the potential to disperse over great distances, these environmentally persistent organic chemicals are a major contributor to global air pollution. When released into the air they can undergo a range of complex chemical reactions, the products of which can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and aggravate asthma and other lung conditions. The presence of VOCs in a number of household and consumer products, including indoor paint, cosmetics, and cleaning supplies, has also led to increased concern for indoor air quality.
As studies into the long-term effects of VOCs have gained traction, regulations have been tightened around the world. The EU, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Standardization Administration of China (SAC) have all set out guidelines and criteria for residue monitoring. Whilst this is undoubtedly a step in the right direction, matters have been complicated by the fact that global VOC definitions are not consistent (see figure 1). Find out more about this issue in our whitepaper: Global VOC Standards to Address a Volatile Global Problem.
We provide an extensive range of VOC standards. All measurements on our certificate of analysis are carried out in accordance with ISO 17025, and a majority of products are produced under the scope of our ISO 17034 accreditation. So we can guarantee the range comprises the highest quality reference materials.