Consumer Product Safety

SPF Is Not the Whole Story: What Spectrophotometric Testing Reveals About Sunscreen Performance

SPF ratings are widely trusted as a reliable measure of sun protection, yet controlled laboratory analysis frequently tells a more complicated story. Spectrophotometry and accelerated weathering protocols reveal that two products carrying identical SPF labels can deliver meaningfully different levels of UV-blocking performance. Understanding what these tests actually measure—and what they do not—has direct implications for consumer safety.

Oct 4, 2026

Dressed for Danger: What Analytical Testing Uncovers in Wrinkle-Resistant Children's Clothing

Wrinkle-free finishes on children's clothing often rely on formaldehyde-based chemical resins that standard safety certifications may not adequately detect or restrict. Independent laboratory analysis has identified measurable formaldehyde residues in garments marketed as gentle and safe for young, sensitive skin. The gap between what certification seals suggest and what analytical chemistry actually finds raises important questions for parents and pediatric health advocates alike.

Oct 4, 2026