Detect heavy metals for compliance with WEEE, RoHS

A Thermo Fisher Scientific (Elemental Analysis) product story

Edited by the Laboratorytalk editorial team Jun 8, 2005

Atomic Absorption (AA) spectrometry is an analytical technique proven to achieve exceptional levels of performance in the analysis and detection of hazardous elements

With the imminent introduction of the stringent Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and Restrictions of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directives, the electrical and electronics industry will require more effective methods to control the quality of materials used and eliminate any hazardous substances.

With a complete range of sensitive and flexible AA spectrometers, Thermo Electron says it can offer manufacturers and recyclers expert analytical tools and methods coupled with in-depth technical support to help perform the required analyses.

The stricter EU regulations require that electronic and electrical equipment should contain reduced levels of hazardous substances.

Compliance will equally apply to companies wishing to trade in the EU countries.

The amount of waste going to landfill and the hazardous substance content of electronic and electrical equipment will have to be dramatically reduced.

The new provisions make the producers of such waste fully accountable and the onus will be on these companies to meet the published standards.

Levels of heavy metal elements such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and chromium (Cr) in various electrical and electronic components will need to be stringently controlled.

To help users ensure their products comply with the new regulations and avoid fines, Thermo Electron's AA spectrometers offer versatile and sensitive analysis of trace metals in a wide range of samples.

With the M and S series AA spectrometers, ranging from entry-level single/multi-element flame or furnace to multi-element dual atomiser flame and furnace instruments, Thermo says it has a solution adapted to different needs.

Both the M and S series AA spectrometers feature the VP100 continuous flow vapour system, which allows high sensitivity vapour analyses to be performed.

A long path length mercury absorption cell is also included, providing even lower detection limits of mercury formed as a mono-atomic vapour, which is of specific interest to WEEE/RoHS compliance.