Defective ICP test kit? Advice/Experience needed

[Goubli]

Hello all,

I posted this in the Triton forum, but thought maybe I’d get more eyes and a response here.

I bought my first ICP test the other day and was waiting until after a few days post water change to send in the test. I opened the box and the screw on cap looks like it has some sort of white staining/precipitate on it. The cap should be a smooth silver color, but this one looks defective.

When I touch the white area it feels smooth-ish, and I can’t flake any of the white “stuff” off. On the box it has Coral Vue listed, but I didn’t see anything on their forum pertaining to ICP so I’m posting this here.

What the heck am I supposed to do with this? I paid $30 for this tube, and there’s no way I can reasonably trust what my water sample results would show given parts per billion accuracy, right? Any ideas?

I went back to the store I purchased from and they gave me some LFS speak about the glue unlikely to dissolve in the water because nothing flakes off etc. So, I had them check the other boxes in the store and they all seemed to have this residual substance in the caps. I exchanged the cap for this one for now-

Has anyone ever seen this issue? Is it normal? I have a pretty solid background in science and it seems to me that mass spec sensitivities would pick up any amount of this substance and throw off my results. The store said I could return it (for store credit of course), but I want to get the forum’s brainpower and experience prior to making my next move.

I may call BRS today and ask them.

Any help is appreciated.

Cheers!

 

[Big G]

Bump

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If it is just distorted or shredded plastic, its not likely an issue. If it is an inorganic material, that's a concern.

 

[Goubli]

I agree Randy. I am shocked that of all the people that use ICP tests haven’t commented as to whether they have seen anything like this before. Since this is my first purchase I have no reference.

I contacted BRS and sent them the pictures per their request and they hopefully will be able to track down more info which would involve contacting Coral Vue. Weird all the way around IMO.

 

[Goubli]

I am responding here for completion's sake. I was able to speak with the chemist at the lab who assured me that the issue does not interfere with the testing.

I am still surprised that all the ICP testing talked about on this board didn't generate any replies. Thanks for yours Randy and Big G.

 

[Flippers4pups]

I am responding here for completion's sake. I was able to speak with the chemist at the lab who assured me that the issue does not interfere with the testing.

I am still surprised that all the ICP testing talked about on this board didn't generate any replies. Thanks for yours Randy and Big G.

Did they elude to what caused the anomaly on the inside of the lid?

Chances are no one has seen it before.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I am responding here for completion's sake. I was able to speak with the chemist at the lab who assured me that the issue does not interfere with the testing.
.

And the chemist bases that on what? Does he know what it is? Without knowing that that material is, such a reply is not reliable.

 

[Goubli]

He went into detail concerning the aluminum cap lining being bonded with heat and the pH of ocean water being far to basic to pull any of the substance (aluminum/plastic) into solution. We actually went into a bunch of tangential conversations because I called into question quality control of the production of the tubes and caps.

He got fairly defensive and based on our conversation I found his reasoning to be sound. I informed him of my business in genetics testing for humans and my PhD's background at NIH and his building of genetics laboratories, hence our concerns. My main issue wasn't that the ICP standards weren't "kosher" as much as I had no idea if they outsourced production of these materials to a 3rd party overseas which could cause this issue. He assured me he was aware of what I was questioning did not interfere with ICP results. I also should state that I sent over my concerns to them in writing at the time I registered my kit. I was contacted by the lab in less than an hour. I find that type of response typical of people that maintain high professional standards.

Flipper-chances aren't high that no one has never seen it before as BRS confirmed that theirs looked like that, and every available kit at my LFS had the same issue.
I find the lack of observation by consumers to be a more likely reason.
Randy, if you would like further clarification given your chemistry background send me a PM and I can send you the contact phone. You'd probably get along with the guy-LOL