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GC-MS & GC/MS/MS Analytical Services
GC-MS & GC/MS/MS Testing Services for Clear, Defensible Results
Identify, confirm, and quantify volatile and semi-volatile compounds, residual solvents, high-concern contaminants, unknown impurities, off-odors, and trace-level targets with support from experienced analytical scientists.
Built for complex product questions
Residual solvents and volatile impurities
Nitrosamines in health and beauty products
Benzene in aerosols and propellant-based products
1,4-dioxane in ethoxylated products
Lanolin foreign substances
Why GC-MS / GC-MS-MS
Get the answers gas chromatography and mass spectrometry are built to deliver.
Gas chromatography separates volatile and thermally stable compounds in a mixture. Mass spectrometry adds molecular identification, allowing scientists to match separated components to characteristic spectra. For targeted trace-level work, GC/MS/MS can provide additional selectivity by monitoring specific ion transitions for compounds of interest.
Identify unknown organic compounds in complex mixtures
Confirm residual solvents or volatile impurities
Investigate off-odors, flavor changes, or unexpected chemical signatures
Support extractables, leachables, and deformulation studies
Quantify trace-level target analytes in challenging matrices
Develop, verify, validate, or troubleshoot analytical methods
RESIDUAL SOLVENTS
Residual Solvent Testing
Confirm and quantify solvents left behind from manufacturing, purification, processing, packaging, or storage.
Useful for: pharmaceuticals, raw materials, excipients, chemicals, coatings, packaging, polymers, cosmetics, and consumer products.
UNKNOWNS
Unknown Impurity Identification
Investigate unexpected peaks, failed specifications, batch-to-batch variation, and unexplained product behavior.
Useful for: impurity investigations, OOS/OOT support, process troubleshooting, raw material verification, and supplier qualification.
CONTAMINATION
Contaminant & Off-Odor Investigations
Isolate chemical sources of unwanted odors, foreign residues, and trace contaminants from materials, packaging, or processing.
Useful for: packaging investigations, consumer complaints, odor profiling, manufacturing contamination, and product performance concerns.
MATERIALS
Extractables, Leachables &
Packaging Studies
Profile volatile and semi-volatile compounds that may migrate from packaging, closures, adhesives, coatings, or device components.
Useful for: medical devices, packaging, polymers, consumer products, cosmetics, and chemical products.
FORMULATION SUPPORT
Deformulation & Product
Composition
Profile organic constituents, compare batches or suppliers, and support reverse engineering or formulation troubleshooting.
Useful for: product comparison, competitive analysis, raw material verification, and ingredient characterization.
TRACE ANALYSIS
Targeted Trace-Level
Quantitation
Use targeted methods when sensitive, selective monitoring of known compounds is required in complex matrices.
Useful for: low-level target screening, confirmatory testing, method optimization, and regulated product support.
SPECIFIC HIGH-CONCERN TESTING EXAMPLES
Specialized Testing for High-Concern Contaminants and Product Matrices
Quantum supports focused investigations for known analytes, complex product types, and matrix-specific quality concerns where accurate identification and quantitation are critical.
HEALTH & BEAUTY
Nitrosamines in Amine-Containing Health & Beauty Products
Amine-containing health, beauty, cosmetic, and personal care products may require evaluation for nitrosamine risk when amine-based ingredients, surfactants, conditioners, neutralizers, or preservatives are present and there is potential exposure to nitrosating conditions.
Where this applies: shampoos, conditioners, hair treatments, skin creams, lotions, cleansers, body washes, shaving products, cosmetics, deodorants, amine-containing surfactants, amine neutralizers, and related raw materials.
Testing objective: detect, confirm, and quantify specific nitrosamine impurities in health and beauty product matrices or support a broader risk-based contaminant investigation.
Relevant techniques may include: GC-MS, GC/MS/MS, LC-MS/MS, HRMS, or complementary chromatography/mass spectrometry methods depending on the nitrosamine target, ingredient system, and finished-product matrix.
AEROSOLS
Benzene in Aerosols and Propellant-Based Products
Benzene contamination in aerosol products is a high-visibility quality and safety concern. Sensitive testing can help determine whether benzene is present and whether the source may be linked to raw materials, propellants, solvents, packaging, or manufacturing conditions.
Where this applies: aerosol products, sunscreen sprays, dry shampoo, deodorant sprays, cosmetic aerosols, cleaning aerosols, and specialty aerosol formulations.
Testing objective: quantify benzene at low levels, support product release or investigation decisions, evaluate raw material or propellant sources, and assist with root-cause analysis.
Relevant techniques may include: headspace GC-MS, GC/MS/MS, GC-FID, or validated targeted volatile analysis depending on product type and required limits.
ETHOXYLATED PRODUCTS
1,4-Dioxane in Ethoxylated Products
1,4-Dioxane can occur as a byproduct in ethoxylated ingredients and products that contain ethoxylated surfactants, emulsifiers, or solubilizers.
Where this applies: shampoos, body washes, cleansers, detergents, surfactants, PEG-containing ingredients, polysorbates, laureth compounds, ethoxylated alcohols, cosmetics, personal care products, household products, and specialty chemical blends.
Testing objective: detect and quantify trace 1,4-dioxane, compare suppliers or lots, verify reduction strategies, and support contaminant control programs.
Relevant techniques may include: headspace GC-MS, GC/MS/MS, isotope-dilution methods, or matrix-specific validated methods.
LANOLIN
Lanolin Foreign Substances
Lanolin and lanolin-derived ingredients can require targeted foreign substance testing, including evaluation for organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticide residues. Because lanolin is derived from wool grease, pesticide residues may be a concern for raw material qualification, supplier verification, compendial compliance, and finished-product quality programs.
Where this applies: USP lanolin testing, anhydrous lanolin, pharmaceutical-grade lanolin, cosmetic-grade lanolin, lanolin alcohols, wool-derived ingredients, topical formulations, ointments, balms, creams, lotions, and personal care products that use lanolin-derived raw materials.
Testing objective: detect and quantify organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticide residues in lanolin or lanolin-containing materials, compare lots or suppliers, support USP-aligned quality requirements, and document contaminant control.
Relevant techniques may include: GC-MS, GC/MS/MS, GC-ECD, GC-FPD, or other validated pesticide-residue methods depending on the target pesticide list, compendial requirement, reporting limit, and product matrix.
WHY QUANTUM
Analytical support for regulated and quality-driven teams
Quantum supports advanced problem-solving, routine testing, method development, and product investigations with clear reporting and scientist-led interpretation.
Built for Regulated
Industries
Quantum is positioned for clients who need defensible methods, reliable documentation, and data that can stand up to quality or regulatory scrutiny.
Scientists Who
Interpret Results
Work with experienced scientists who help define the testing question, select the right technique, interpret findings, and explain practical next steps.
Advanced Testing for Complex Challenges
Support includes impurity and contamination detection, product development support, method development and validation, deformulation, and compliance support.
INDUSTRIES
Industries we support
Quantum supports teams across product development, manufacturing, quality, compliance, and supplier management.
Consumer products Packaging & polymers
Manufacturing QC Research & development
METHOD FIT
When to choose GC-MS vs. GC/MS/MS
GC-MS may be the right fit when you need:
Unknown compound identification
Volatile organic compound profiling
Impurity or contaminant characterization
Library-searchable mass spectral data
Broad screening for unexpected compounds
GC/MS/MS may be the right fit when you need:
Targeted trace-level detection
Enhanced selectivity in complex matrices
Confirmation of known analytes
Quantitative monitoring of specific compounds
Reduced interference from overlapping signals
Ready to get GC-MS or GC/MS/MS results you can trust?
Whether you need to identify an unknown, confirm a residual solvent, troubleshoot contamination, validate a method, or quantify trace-level targets, Quantum Analytics Group can help you move forward with clarity.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
GC-MS is commonly used for volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds that can be vaporized without decomposing. It is especially useful for residual solvents, volatile impurities, off-odor compounds, contaminants, and many organic constituents in complex mixtures.
Yes. GC-MS combines chromatographic separation with mass spectral identification, making it a strong technique for unknown compound investigations. Identification may be supported by spectral libraries, standards, retention behavior, and analyst interpretation.
GC/MS/MS is useful when a project requires targeted, selective, trace-level monitoring of known compounds, especially in complex matrices where background interference may make single-stage MS less suitable.
Yes. Quantum supports method development and validation for products and materials that require accurate, repeatable, fit-for-purpose analytical methods.
Helpful information includes sample type, matrix, suspected compounds, target limits, applicable standards or regulatory requirements, prior data, formulation details if available, and your timeline.