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Which Materials Are RoHS?

Enacted in July 2006, the European Union's Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) limits usage of six hazardous minerals --- lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, PBBs an PBDEs --- found in electronic equipment that works on electric current or electromagnetic fields (EMFs). The minerals cannot be added deliberately during production nor exceed trace levels. Compliance falls to the equipment's producer, whether manufacturing the product directly, reselling anther manufacturer's product under the company's label or acting as an import/export agent.

Lead (Pb)
- Lead, a heavy metal with a low melting point, is usually combined with other metals to form alloys that are corrosion resistant when exposed to air and water. Lead can be found in pipes, weights, ammunition and radiation shielding. The maximum concentration level (MCV) of lead allowed by RoHS equals 0.1 percent by weight or 1,000 parts per million (ppm).
Mercury (Hg)
- Mercury produces inorganic mercury salts (white crystals or powder) when combined with chlorine, sulfur and oxygen as well organic mercury compound when mixed with carbon. Metallic mercury is found in thermometers, batteries and dental fillings as well as antiseptic creams and ointments. The RoHS MCV for mercury is 0.1 percent by weight or 1,000ppm.
Cadmium (Cd)
- Cadmium is a soft, water-soluble metal sued in batteries, pigments (e. g. paints and pastels) and non iron-based alloys as well as in solar cells and as plastic stabilizers. Cadmium has a maximum 0.01 percent by weight or 100ppm allowed under RoHS.
Hexavalent Chromium (Cr-VI)
- Chromium, found naturally in rocks and soil, animals and plants, is used to treat wood when combined into the alloy copper dichromate as well as in leather tanning and stainless steel cookware. RoHS allows a maximum chromium level of 0.1 percent by weight or 1,000ppm.
Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB)
- Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBBs) are plastic additives and have been used in computer monitors and TVs as well as being a fire retardant for textiles and Styrofoam products, although this chemical compound has not been produced in the U.S. since 1976 following an agricultural contamination incident in Michigan. The maximum PBBs allowed is equivalent to 0.1 percent by weight or 1,000ppm.
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE)
- Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) are chemical compounds that act as fire retardants and have been used mainly for items such as TV cabinets, business equipment plastics, and foam inserts for upholstery cushions. RoHS allows maximum PBDE levels of 0.1 percent or 1,000ppm.

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