Get the facts. In our post-truth world, it can be hard to get objective data. But laboratories do provide objective data.
When you think of laboratory analysis, you probably think of people in white lab coats leaning over microscopes. But analysis is more than that.
Here are seven amazing uses for laboratory analysis.
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Medical Tests
Laboratory analysis can uncover many medical problems. A chest x-ray produces visual images of your chest with electromagnetic waves. The images reveal broken bones and masses in your lungs or heart.Â
Many procedures are non-invasive. Medical manufacturers produce products every day that run tests without the need for surgery.
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Medications
Medications receive a battery of tests. Laboratories run double-blind tests, pairing medications with placebos to see how they affect patients.
Laboratories also test medications for toxins, raw materials, and chemical stability. If light or temperature alters a medication, the manufacturer must change the medication. Years of tests pass before a company brings a drug to the public.
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Cosmetics
Scientists test cosmetics just as much as prescription drugs. Primary aromatic amines are widely used as a base substance in cosmetics. However, some amines can lead to cancer.
Laboratory tests determine which types of amines cause cancer. If a product has the wrong types, the product must be changed.
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Toys
Toys undergo many tests. Scientists pull toys to see if their seams hold. They also test the working distance and frequency of electronic toys, to make sure they operate over long distances.
Laboratories even test the flammability of toys. Some toys are lit on fire to see if they fuel a fire. Children play in many ways, so laboratories run many tests to check if a toy is safe.
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Food
Lab analysis for food is thorough. Governments have a number of regulations to make sure food is safe and high-quality. In order to call a cut of meat “excellent,” the food supplier must test the meat for its tenderness, juiciness, and appearance.
Labs also test a food product’s nutritional values. To determine a product’s Calorie count, scientists place food in water, then burn the food. Since one Calorie is the amount of energy needed to raise a kilogram of water by one degree Celsius, the temperature change in the water is then measured.
Tests on food are very extensive, applying to the smallest components of food, like fatty acids. Read more on fatty acid analysis.
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Earth Products
Chefs use volcanic salt for seasoning, and cosmetic companies use volcanic salt for dyes. Geologists run a number of tests on volcanic salt, placing it in ultrapure water to see if it dissolves.
Wood chip mulch is also tested in water. Scientists place mulch in water to see how much it absorbs.
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Water
Water receives extensive tests. The EPA tests drinking water for contaminants, using chemical strips to see how water reacts to purifying substances.
Even wastewater receives tests. Companies use photometers to measure how light passes through water. If the light refracts, the water has pollutants.
Stay Smart About Laboratory Analysis
Laboratory analysis is complicated. But it is complicated for good reason. Regulations control medicine, food, water, and cosmetic products. Tests are needed to show that the products meet those regulations with flying colors.
Science is always evolving. Regulations will change, and laboratory tests will change. Stay on top of the latest developments by following our coverage.
Feature photo by RF._.studio
