Thermo Scientific Orion Green pH electrodes were the first laboratory glass-bulb pH electrode to meets all Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) requirements without any exemptions. The Orion Green electrodes contain no lead, no mercury, or hazardous substances. The Orion Green, environmentally-friendly electrodes offer lead-free glass, lead-free solder and recyclable packaging.

 

Most electrodes use leaded glass (some contain up to 20% lead) and contain lead soldering. That is why electrodes currently have an exemption from the European Union’s RoHS directive. Thermo Scientific took the initiative to be greener, and to be compliant even before the products were regulated. So the team worked ‘to get the lead out’ - literally, while maintaining the electrode response and accuracy. Green concerns continue to drive Thermo Scientific to develop green methods and green products.

 

A bigger challenge is the continued presence of mercury in laboratory electrodes. Mercury exposure can harm the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, and immune system of people of all ages, but is especially harmful to children under 5 years old. It has been regulated in some products - like mercury thermometers, but today mercury electrodes are still in demand in laboratories. Mercury (Calomel) electrodes were introduced for measuring TRIS, proteins and sulphides without compatibility problems - but multiple alternatives to mercury electrodes have been developed years ago.

 

Thermo Scientific does not market mercury electrodes, and promotes the non-mercury reference electrode technologies. “The ROSS® electrode and double-junction electrode designs are examples of environmentally safe alternatives for measuring TRIS, proteins and sulphides with no performance trade-offs. We continue to educate our customers there are safer, non-mercury alternatives - like the Orion Green double-junction electrodes. It is a concern there is little legislation in place to stop the use of calomel (mercury) electrodes.

 

What are the advantages of the Green environmentally-friendly electrodes?

 

Orion Green electrodes can be used with any manufacture of pH meters - you just need to match the BNC connector. There are 4 models available depending upon your measurement needs. All are epoxy-bodied electrodes with the option of a maintenance-free gel or a refillable body. Each is available as a single junction electrode or as a double junction electrode (that is compatible with TRIS while not containing mercury.)
Now environmental labs, municipalities, educational labs, R & D and QA/QC labs can all measure pH in the laboratory and out in the field with an environmentally safe alternative. Join in to be part of the solution - not part of the problem.

 

Source: Thermo Fisher Scientific