Flame retardants
Flame retardants are present in printed circuit boards, cables, wires, casings and housings. Their purpose is to
prevent, or at least to delay the spread of fire. Up to 30% of the plastic in a computer casing can consist of flame
retardant substances. Most flame retardants contain bromine or chloride, and those flame retardants are
chemically related to another group of environmental toxins, PCBs. Both the flame retardants containing bromine
or chloride and the PCBs are suspected of giving rise to severe health effects, including reproductive damage in
fish-eating birds and mammals, due to the bio-accumulative* processes. Flame retardants have been found in
human blood and researchers fear that disturbances in fetus development may occur.
The relevant TCO' 99 demand requires that plastic components weighing more than 25 grams must not contain
flame retardants with organically bound bromine or chlorine. Flame retardants are allowed in the printed circuit
boards since no substitutes are available.
Cadmium**
Cadmium is present in rechargeable batteries and in the color-generating layers of certain computer displays.
Cadmium damages the nervous system and is toxic in high doses. The relevant TCO'99 requirement states that
batteries, the color-generating layers of display screens and the electrical or electronics components must not
contain any cadmium.
Mercury**
Mercury is sometimes found in batteries, relays and switches. It damages the nervous system and is toxic in high
doses. The relevant TCO' 99 requirement states that batteries may not contain any mercury. It also demands
that mercury is not present in any of the electrical or electronics components associated with the labeled unit.
CFCs (freons)
The relevant TCO' 99 requirement states that neither CFCs nor HCFCs may be used during the manufacture
and assembly of the product. CFCs (freons) are sometimes used for washing printed circuit boards. CFCs break
down ozone and thereby damage the ozone layer in the stratosphere, causing increased reception on earth of
ultraviolet light with increased risks e.g. skin cancer (malignant melanoma) as a consequence.
Lead**
Lead can be found in picture tubes, display screens, solders and capacitors. Lead damages the nervous system
and in higher doses, causes lead poisoning. The relevant TCO' 99 requirement permits the inclusion of lead
since no replacement has yet been developed.
* Bio-accumulative is defined as substances which accumulate within living organisms.
** Lead, Cadmium and Mercury are heavy metals which are bio-accumulative.
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