Trace Laboratories

Technical Spotlight - Bisphenol-A (BPA)
BPA is used to make polycarbonate plastics, including baby bottles, sports bottles, reusable food and drink containers, bicycle helmets, CDs and DVDs. It is also an ingredient in the epoxy resins used to line metal cans. A number of laboratory studies have linked BPA — a synthetic estrogen — to birth defects, low birth weight, cancer, early puberty and other health problems in rats. However, 11 safety agencies around the world have said that BPA is safe for use in food-contact applications.

Technical Spotlight - Organotins
Organotin compounds have been used as heat stabilizers in PVC, biocides, wood preservatives, and marine anti-fouling agents. There are 4 classes of organotins with tri-substituted organotin compounds having the most toxic effects on the environment. These compounds are endocrine-disruptors and cause severe reproductive effects in aquatic organisms. There are also concerns in regards to neurotoxic and immunotoxic effects in higher animals.

View a full list of related documents.

Trace Laboratories is accredited by the leading standards institutes.
Click here for a full list.

Wastewater and Drinking Water Sampling and Analysis

Click here for more information.
www.tracewatertesting.com

News

Trace Laboratories Recognized for Continued IPC Committee Leadership – posted 4.22.09

Renee Michalkiewicz, Laboratory Director at Trace Laboratories’ Maryland facility, has received a Distinguished Committee Service Award from the IPC J-STD-004 Committee on the Requirements for Soldering Fluxes. The award was presented at the IPC Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, April 1 at the Las Vegas Mandalay Bay Resort and Convention Center.

Ms. Michalkiewicz has been a member of the IPC J-STD-004 committee for 13 years and has helped revise the specification and test methods used in testing soldering fluxes and pastes. She accepted the position as Chair of this committee in 2004. She is also the Chair of the Testing Committee, Vice Chair of the Assembly and Joining Committee and a TAEC Board member.

Debora Obitz, Senior Engineer, has accepted the positions of Vice Chair of the Rigid Printed Board Committee and Chair of IPC-A-600 Technical Training Committee. With IPC-6012C and IPC-A-600H soon going to ballot, she will be reassembling the group to make the necessary changes to the training documents. Ms. Obitz is also Vice Chair of the Cleaning and Coating and the Conformal Coating Committees and has been an IPC member for 25 years.

For more information on Trace's IPC testing or any of Trace’s other extensive testing capabilities, please contact: Trace Laboratories, Inc., 5 North Park Drive, Hunt Valley, MD 21030. Phone: 410-584-9099. Email: info@tracelabs.com.

About Trace Laboratories, Inc.: Established over 30 years ago, Trace offers state-of-the-art testing, qualification, analysis, automation, and training in the areas of electronics and materials testing. Trace Laboratories, Inc. has facilities in Hunt Valley, MD, Palatine, IL, Carthage, IL, and Shanghai, China.