Most of us are aware that there is pollution all around us – too many cars honking, too many factories burning fuels, too many air conditioning units functioning and so on. But there are other types of pollution that you might not even be aware of – Microplastics.

Microplastics are fragmented minuscule plastics that either come directly from the products we utilize in our day-to-day lives or are the outcome of larger plastic objects being broken down. As scary as it might sound, they are even present in the atmosphere and are most commonly found in the hydrophobic environment.

The irony is that these plastic nanoparticles are found in Antarctic ice cores, inside the marine food we eat, as well as in the fruits and vegetables we tend to relish in our daily lives. As per a recent study, these particles are expelled from the ocean each year, and rather than settling down somewhere, they get mixed up in the very air that we breathe.

It wouldn’t be hyperbole to say that microplastic pollution is probably a lot more hazardous as it carries heavy metals and chemicals that could expose a human to a range of health problems including oxidative stress, heart disease, and even poor fetal development. Unfortunately, because of its minuscule size, it is nearly impossible to filter it out completely. This waste, regardless of its minuscule magnitude, is detrimental to the environment, in every sense.

However, a serendipitous discovery by Fionn Ferreira, an 18-year-old student, who has shown tenacity towards science, has revealed tiny contaminated plastic particles can be extracted effectively from aquatic life. Labeled as one of the 10 young change-makers in the world, this 18-year-old has produced a unique version of the magnetic potion known as ferrofluid (a liquid originally developed by NASA) to remove immiscible plastics from water to eliminate this issue on a larger scale.

Fionn is now creating a device based on this ferrofluid magnetic extraction mechanism. The idea behind the device is that it can be installed inside ships or within water pipes to ubiquitously extract the plastics. The final tenet is to build a systematic process to get potable water to drink and sustain life.

With time, it is ideas like these that will be needed to protect our world and ensure that we leave a healthy planet for future generations!

This article is written and published in the public interest and is in no way binding nor is meant to defame the industry or individual.

The post Stop Plastic Evasion appeared first on Krishna Metallurgical Laboratories - When Quality Matters.

Microplastics in blood of humans have been found for the first time, raising the alarm that these ubiquitous particles may be making their way into the organs as well. Microplastic pollution causes these tiny pieces of mostly invisible plastic to be found in almost every corner of the Earth, including the deepest oceans, highest mountains, the air, soil, and food chain.

An international study published in the journal Environment International recently examined blood samples from 22 anonymous, healthy volunteers and found microplastics in nearly 80% of them.

More than a third of the blood samples contained polystyrene, used for disposable food containers and many other products. PET plastic was found in half of the samples, while polystyrene was found in more than a third of the samples.

Dick Vethaak, an ecotoxicologist at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, said that this is the first time microplastics have been detected in human blood. “This is proof that we have plastics in our body — and we shouldn’t,” he told AFP, calling for further investigation to examine how it impacts human health.

A study reported that the Microplastics have been found to enter the human body in multiple ways, including via air, water and food, as well as toothpaste, lip gloss, and tattoo ink.

Considering all the organs of the body are linked by blood, if plastic is there, it could be anywhere.

This article is written and published in the public interest and in no way binding nor is meant to defame the industry or individual. The facts cited in this piece incorporate information from an article published by The Hindu editorial team.

The post First discovery of Microplastics in blood by scientists appeared first on Krishna Metallurgical Laboratories - When Quality Matters.

There has been a lot of talk about how important it is to leave your car windows open for a little while, before turning the air-conditioning on. Studies suggested that most car dashboards are made using polycarbonate, which when heated up can lead to the release of benzene, which is a highly toxic carcinogenic agent.

Several organizations are devoting time, effort and resources towards understanding whether the inhalation or ingestion of benzene can lead to cancer. However, before understanding how benzene might be causing cancer, it is imperative to know a little more about benzene itself.

What is benzene?

Benzene is a dull, combustible fluid with a sweet smell, which dissipates immediately when presented to air. It can emanate from regular natural occurrences such as volcanoes and backwood fires, but more often than not, its presence is due to human activities. 

Benzene is among the 20 most generally utilized synthetic substances in the US, China and numerous other industrial nations. It is utilized mostly as a beginning material in making different synthetic compounds, including plastics, greases, rubbers and pesticides.

Is benzene a carcinogen?

Benzene is known to cause malignant growths i.e. tumours given proof provided by labs that studied two individuals as well as lab creatures. The connection between benzene and cancer has to a great extent, zeroed in on leukemia and different malignant growths, particularly in platelets.

Beyond benzene

Other than benzene, there are many other chemicals like epoxies, binders, sealants etc are used in the interiors of the car cabin. These chemicals tend to realize volatile organic compounds called VOCs. These VOCs influence inside-the-vehicle air quality through their composition of toxic and non-toxic substances.

This includes an array of chemical compositions that can cause eye, nose, and throat discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, and skin problems. The level of contagion differs from one vehicle to another and is influenced by external pollution, the quality of materials used inside the vehicle, and atmospheric conditions. A higher level of contamination may have the ability to damage body tissue or infiltrate the central nervous system.

What do research show?

So, do vehicles really lead to that much production of benzene that it can lead to cancer? In the early 2000s, a Japanese investigation suggested that using personal 4-wheelers expanded the susceptibility to various pernicious and hazardous substances, including benzene; there is no definitive proof for the same. The same goes for VOCs.

But the bare facts that many countries regulate the use of these elements and most automotive manufacturers opt for standard testing of VOC for the parts fitted inside the cabin are reasons enough to take precautions for every car owner.

Our conclusion

Being a materials testing lab, we conduct many tests about the presence of harmful chemicals in materials used for cabin spaces in the automotive sector. VOC and other such toxins are part of regular testing as most of the reputed manufacturers have mandated the same. In conclusion, it might be sensible to just leave your car windows open for a few minutes, before turning on the AC!

This article is written and published in the public interest and is in no way binding nor is meant to defame the industry or individual.

The post Relation of AC in Car and Cancer appeared first on Krishna Metallurgical Laboratories - When Quality Matters.

RoHS compliance is the directive any business that places the product in the European market must follow if the product comprises one of the 10 restricted substances and RoHS compliance testing is the process to confirm that the product passes the directive.

• Cadmium (Cd)
• Lead (Pb)
• Mercury (Hg)
• Hexavalent Chromium: ( Cr6+) 
• Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB)
• Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE)
• Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2), improved regulatory and legal conditions of RoHS 1 while addressing the same substances. Also, RoHS 2 is used as a CE marking directive for cables and spare parts.
• Directive 2015/863 (RoHS 3), which took effect in July 2019, is a further evolution of RoHS 2 and adds four substances to the original directive as stated below.
• Bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
• Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP)
• Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
• Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)

The maximum permitted concentration is .1% or 1000 ppm by weight except for Cadmium which is limited to .01% or 100 ppm by weight.

Any product composed of homogeneous material is regulated under RoHS. For example – manufacturing equipment is composed of several electrical components. So if it contains a PCB circuit, IC, resistors and cables then every component must pass the RoHS test and the seller must produce a RoHS certificate to sell that equipment in the European Market.

Consumers have been abandoning obsolete products at an ever-increasing rate. The RoHS directive was introduced to address the global high-tech waste problem caused by hazardous materials in consumer electronics and to promote better human life.

RoHS is followed worldwide by sellers or distributors who trade such products not only in Europe but also in countries with their versions of RoHS. Some countries such as China, UAE, Korea, California, Turkey, India, Japan and Taiwan have created their variations of RoHS. All companies that produce cables, components, and EEE appliances need RoHS compliance testing.

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) has 11 Categories within the scope of the EU RoHS Directive.

1. Large household appliances
2. Small household appliances
3. IT & telecommunications equipment (although infrastructure equipment is exempt in some countries)
4. Consumer equipment
5. Lighting equipment – including light bulbs
6. Electronic and electrical tools
7. Toys, leisure, and sports equipment
8. Medical devices (exemption removed in July 2011)
9. Monitoring and control instruments (exemption removed in July 2011)
10. Automatic dispensers
11. Other EEE is not covered by any of the categories above.

Testing for RoHS Certification of Compliance

Pre-Screening Test

RoHS testing is usually carried out using  X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF), as per ASTM F2617 standard. RoHS testing methods also include Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).

Among these, XRF is an economical method and can be used as a pre-screening method because it is primarily used to determine the highest risk of restricted substances. Only after pre-screening, the need to do further testing is decided.

Audit & Documentation Review

Inspection and review of all technical documents is followed at each step to ensure test reports are accurate. Documentation is an important part of the certification process and must be done in detail at every stage to check that the conformance process has been followed and the correct instruction language is used. 

The business must maintain the documentation known as technical records for later review if there is any incident.

Certification Statement

Following the conformity assessment certificate document is released. Electrical and electronic equipment must go through this process to receive a valid certification of compliance. 

Krishna Labs are your one-stop solution for RoHS Testing and Certification. Connect with our team of experts who are successfully helping companies with their RoHS compliance.

Contact Us

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What does RoHS mean?

RoHS, short for Restriction of Hazardous Substances, is a directive issued by the European Union for manufacturers, importers and distributors of electronics and electrical equipment, which restricts the use of 6 hazardous substances.

What is RoHS Compliant?

RoHS compliance is a declaration of compliance for the electronic and electrical equipment that passes the RoHS directive guidelines.

What is RoHS compliance certification?

RoHS certification is a declaration of conformity that the level of hazardous or toxic substances such as lead, mercury and cadmium does not exceed the maximum permissible amount.

Why is RoHS certification important?

The importance of the RoHS directive lies in its purpose of preventing the risks posed by electronic and electrical waste to human health and the environment. The certificate also ensures that the product complies with the regulations of such substances when traded with countries in the European Union.

What are the examples of product components containing restricted substances?

• Paints and pigments
• PVC (vinyl) cables as a stabilizer (e.g., power cords, USB cables)
• Solders
• Printed circuit board finishes, leads, internal and external interconnects
• Glass in television and photographic products (e.g., CRT television screens and camera lenses)
• Metal parts
• Lamps and bulbs
• Integrated circuits or microchips

Are RoHS and REACH the same?

RoHS measures the toxicity of electronic and electrical equipment whereas REACH measures the toxicity of chemicals. However, both regulations aim for better human health and the environment by protecting from toxic chemicals and hazardous substances.

What are RoHS exemptions?

There are more than 100 exemptions that expire after 5 years if not renewed by the EU. Contact a third-party company or laboratory to find out whether your product or its parts fall in the list of exemptions.

What is the difference between RoHS and RoHS 3?

The major difference between RoHS and RoHS 3 is the number of hazardous substances they restrict. RoHS 3 restricts 4 substances in addition to 6 substances which are under the restriction of RoHS. 

What is RoHS 2 and how does it differ from the original RoHS?

RoHS 2 is an evolution of the original directive and addresses the same substances as RoHS but it requires periodic re-evaluations to cover additional electronic and electrical equipment, cables and spare parts.

RoHS 2 is also a CE marking directive indicating that RoHS compliance is required for CE marking of products. CE mark now includes RoHS so the green RoHS compliance is no longer required. 

How do you test RoHS Compliance?

RoHS testing is conducted in a controlled environment using sophisticated machines, such as an XRF analyzer. They are used for screening and verification of restricted metals. It involves trained personnel with implicit methods at testing laboratories. 

What is required for RoHS compliance?

RoHS compliance requires that the product should not contain the 6 restricted substances and the business selling the product in the European market has the certification to show compliance with the regulations.

Does my product need to be RoHS compliant?

Any business that wants to sell electrical products or electronic equipments, cables, components, to the countries in the European Union is required to comply with the RoHS regulations. 

How do I get RoHS certified?

To obtain a RoHS certificate, a third-party company such as a laboratory that provides a declaration of conformity otherwise is required. These companies generally provide RoHS certification services including testing, audit, documentation and certification.

Is RoHS for batteries?

RoHS does not apply to batteries of any type. All batteries are governed by the EU battery directive that restricts the use of lead (0.004%), mercury (0.0005%), and cadmium (0.002%). Note: medical devices and emergency systems are excluded for cadmium.

Which countries require RoHS?

The RoHS directive was initiated by the European Union. In recent years, countries such as China, Turkey, USA, India, Taiwan, UAE, UK and Korea have developed their own version of RoHS.

What is RoHS 5/6?

The term RoHS 5/6 means that a part only contains lead (one of the 6 substances) and does not contain the other 5 substances. This is not an official term in the legislation.

Does RoHS apply to packaging?

Since the packaging is discarded as soon as it reaches the destination, it is exempt from the RoHS directive.

Is RoHS required for coolers in India?

Yes. The heavy household electronic appliances must follow the RoHS directive.

The post What is RoHS compliance testing? Why do you need RoHS Certification? appeared first on Krishna Metallurgical Laboratories - When Quality Matters.