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Pharmaceutical Applications

There are numerous applications in the pharmaceutical market that can be accomplished with XRF. There are many drugs that have a heavy element (>Z=10) associated with them so that the concentration is easily monitored.

Bismuth in Anti-Diarrheal Medication
Bismuth is a heavy metal that is easily monitored by most XRF instrument. back to top

Calcium and Magnesium in Antacids
Calcium and/or magnesium are found in high concentrations in most antacid products and can be measured with many XRF instruments. back to top

Zirconium, and Aluminum in Deodorant
Most deodorants contain zirconium, and/or aluminum at high concentration. In many formulations silicon and chlorine are also measurable. Deodorants have long been analyzed by XRF. back to top

Selenium in Shampoo
Selenium is a common additive in shampoos to prevent dandruff. XRF has long been used in this application. back to top

Lead in Bone and Blood
There is a patented XRF method for measuring lead in bone by directly fluorescing an area near the knee. Toxic levels of lead in blood are also detectable by XRF. back to top

Calcium in Dietary Supplements
Calcium is added to dietary supplements as a source of calcium to help with the prevention of osteoporosis. back to top

Chlorine in Toothpaste
Toothpaste is another product that has been successfully analyzed by XRF. back to top

Zinc in Cold Treatments
Zinc is a common cold remedied that is available in many lozenges and in other forms. The zinc concentration is high and can be monitored by XRF. back to top

Metals in Vitamin tablets and supplements
Metal concentrations in vitamin tables can be measured with many higher resolution EDXRF and WDXRF instruments. back to top

Iodine in Sterilization Products
Iodine is toxic and has long been used in sterilizing solutions. Iodine can be measured with many XRF instruments. back to top

Silver Nitrate on Medical Products
Most plastic or rubber medical products contain silver nitrate as a biocide agent to prevent the spread of disease. A few examples are EKG strips, catheters, and contact lenses. The concentration is in the PPM range, but may be measured by XRF. back to top

Hazardous Metal Analysis in Pharmaceuticals
All products have to be free of toxic metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic. Some of the better WDXRF and EDXRF instruments have detection limits that are good enough to determine if products are non-toxic. back to top

Silicone on Condoms
Silicone is a release agent applied to most condoms to keep the latex from sticking to itself. The coating is light, but measurable by XRF. back to top