Analysis of polymers for environmental regulations

25 March 2024

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) regulations have set rules regarding the highest tolerable limit for certain metals (particularly Pb, Cd, Hg, Br and Cr). In this application note, Thermo Fisher Scientific addresses the environmental impact of plastic accumulation and the potential release of heavy metals during its destruction or recycling. The note highlights how WEEE/RoHS analysis can be performed using the Thermo Scientific ARL™ PERFORM’X series spectrometer. Its Protec-Ultra-Safe design, means that the instrument can completely protect the entire X-ray system. This feature is equipped with liquid cassettes recognition, insuring that no liquid cassette will be subjected to vacuum causing the sample to rupture in the system. The ARL PERFORM’X instrument is also designed with over exposure technology, which automatically ejects a liquid samples if the X-ray exposure time is too long.