RECYCLING MAGAZINE, N°4, 2008

"A new system for detection of banned polybrominated substances ANNECY | Alcatel Vacuum Technology is introducing a new technology to confirm the absence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) and polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) in electrical or electronic products using Ion Attachment Mass spectrometry (IA-Mass). IA-Mass allows the analysis of samples at a rate that is consistent with a manufacturing environment. No special lab or highly trained technician is required for IA-Mass. The IA-Mass instrument can be operated by a regular technician and can take place alongside a manufacturing line. The RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) directive and its application releases in all European States stipulates that manufacturers must guarantee that these (PBDE, PBB) restricted substances are not present in their products. The number of samples requiring analysis will reach tens of thousands each year. Based on AVT, the novel IA-Mass method to check PBB and PBDE in plastics is extremely easy to use and can obtain coherent results in line with those provided with GC/MS in a greatly reduced time."