vierasaineet

Vierasaineet is a Finnish term meaning foreign substances. In scientific usage, it denotes substances that are present in a material but are not part of its intended composition or function. The term is used across disciplines such as chemistry, pharmacology, food science, environmental science, and toxicology to describe impurities, contaminants, residues, or unintended additives. The concept emphasizes quality and safety considerations, since even small amounts of vierasaineet can affect properties, stability, taste, safety, or regulatory compliance.

In pharmaceuticals, vierasaineet may include residual solvents, degradation products, or constituents introduced during manufacturing or packaging that are not the active ingredient. In food and feed, vierasaineet can refer to contaminants like pesticides, heavy metals, mycotoxins, or processing contaminants; in environmental science, they may be pollutants found in air, water, or soil. Detecting and controlling vierasaineet typically involves analytical testing and establishing official specification limits to ensure product safety and performance.

Analytical methods commonly used are chromatography-based techniques (such as HPLC or GC) often coupled with mass spectrometry, as well as elemental analysis (ICP-MS) for metals. Data on vierasaineet contribute to risk assessment, quality control, and regulatory compliance. The Finnish term is generally used in national contexts but mirrors international concepts of impurities, contaminants, and foreign matter.

Etymology: vieras means foreign; aine means substance.