Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
The presence of toxic trace metals in costume jewelry poses potential health risks and raises environmental concerns. Many inexpensive jewelry items contain harmful elements such as lead, cadmium, nickel, and arsenic, which can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and systemic toxicity through prolonged exposure. Regulatory guidelines exist to limit these metals in consumer products, but compliance varies, necessitating continued monitoring. This study utilizes Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) to detect and quantify trace metals in costume jewelry. ICP-OES offers high sensitivity and multi-element analysis capabilities, making it an effective tool for evaluating the composition of complex materials. Jewelry samples from various brands were analyzed to determine the presence and concentration of regulated metals. The results were compared to permissible limits to assess compliance and potential consumer risks.
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Matthew Vergne
Recommended Citation
Kirk, Bailee; Beck, Sierra; and Lampley, Jesse, "Unmasking Metals: ICP-OES Detection of Toxins in Costume Jewelry" (2025). Student Scholar Symposium. 26.
https://digitalcollections.lipscomb.edu/student_scholars_symposium/2025/Full_schedule/26
Unmasking Metals: ICP-OES Detection of Toxins in Costume Jewelry
The presence of toxic trace metals in costume jewelry poses potential health risks and raises environmental concerns. Many inexpensive jewelry items contain harmful elements such as lead, cadmium, nickel, and arsenic, which can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and systemic toxicity through prolonged exposure. Regulatory guidelines exist to limit these metals in consumer products, but compliance varies, necessitating continued monitoring. This study utilizes Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) to detect and quantify trace metals in costume jewelry. ICP-OES offers high sensitivity and multi-element analysis capabilities, making it an effective tool for evaluating the composition of complex materials. Jewelry samples from various brands were analyzed to determine the presence and concentration of regulated metals. The results were compared to permissible limits to assess compliance and potential consumer risks.