Potencialidades da técnica libs e da análise multivariada na triagem de metais potencialmente tóxicos em bijuterias: uma revisão bibliográfica

Abstract

The growing commercialization of low-cost jewelry and ornaments has raised public health concerns due to the presence of potentially toxic metals, such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd), in concentrations that frequently exceed regulatory limits. Given the limitations of conventional analytical techniques, such as the slow turnaround of Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP OES) and the low stratigraphic sensitivity of X ray fluorescence (XRF), Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) emerges as a promising alternative. This work presents a bibliographic review on the use of LIBS for identifying contaminants in jewelry, based on studies that demonstrate the technique's effectiveness in complex metallic matrices, such as waste electrical and electronic equipment (e-waste). The essential role of chemometrics is discussed to mitigate the matrix effect and enable the recognition of compositional patterns. The review indicates that the ability to perform depth profiling allows for the distinction between surface coatings and the actual composition of the pieces' core, preserving the aesthetic integrity of the ornament. It is concluded that the integration between plasma physics and multivariate analysis algorithms establishes LIBS as a strategic Green Analytical Chemistry tool, with high potential for application in health surveillance systems and rapid market screening.