Have Questions? The Q Source Q-Bot Has Answers

Posted on May 20, 2011 by epuszczewicz.

Static Control is one category in the very large Industrial Product market. When ever Transforming Technologies has questions about industries outside our niche, we turn to the Q Source Q-BotQsource Robot with question mark for answers.  Today’s question from the Q Source Resource:

Dear Q-Bot: When I shop QSource.com for certain products, I often see the terms RoHS or RoHS-compliant. What does this mean and why is RoHS-compliance important?

Thanks! — S.R.G. via the Internet

Greetings S.R.G.:
RoHS is the acronym for Restriction of Hazardous Substances. Originating in the European Union (EU), and known as Directive 2002/95/EC, it restricts the use of six hazardous/toxic materials used in electrical and electronic products.

Often referred to as Lead-Free, the RoHS Directive indicates maximum levels for these six materials:

  • Lead (Pb): < 1000 ppm (Exposure can lead to neurological disorders—including changes in mental development and behaviors in children)
  • Mercury (Hg): < 100 ppm (Exposure can lead to neurological disorders—especially in babies and children)
  • Cadmium (Cd): < 100 ppm (Exposure can lead to kidney dysfunction, lung cancer, and prostate cancer)
  • Hexavalent Chromium: (Cr VI) < 1000 ppm (Exposure can lead to cancer, irritation, nasal septum perforation, the development of stomach ulcers, kidney and liver damage, convulsions, and even death)
  • Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB): < 1000 ppm (Exposure is possibly carcinogenic to humans)
  • Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE): < 1000 ppm (Exposure can lead to liver toxicity, thyroid toxicity, and neurodevelopmental toxicity)

For more discussion on RoHS, visit the Q Source Resource discussion .

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