Top 10 Myths About Package Container Leakage Testing V

Myth: Helium mass spectrometry is the most useful method for package closure verification

Fact: Helium mass spectrometry is a compassionate leak detection tool used to quantitatively measure leaks in sealed packages. Historically, helium testing has been used to better understand the potential for microbial entry through a known leak path (6). However, helium mass spectrometry is only as accurate as the helium concentration in the test package. Immersing the test package with helium tracer gas requires puncturing the closed package and then resealing the injection site or flushing the package before closure. Both methods are technology-dependent and destructive to product-filled packages. The helium within the test package can be quickly lost due to a large leak before leak testing and can result in meaninglessly low leak rates. Therefore, while very useful, helium mass spectrometry is not the method of choice for all injectable package testing situations.

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