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Environmental Requirements
Flame retardants
Flame retardants are present in printed circuit boards, cables, wires, casings and housings. In
turn, they delay the spread of fire. Up to thirty percent of the plastic in a computer casing can
consist of flame retardant substances. Most flame retardants contain bromine or chloride and
these are related to another group of environmental toxins, PCBs, which are suspected to give
rise to severe health effects, including reproductive damage in fisheating birds and mammals,
due to the bioaccumulative* processes. Flame retardants have been found in human blood and
researchers fear that disturbances in foetus development may occur.
TCO'99 demand requires that plastic components weighing more than 25 grams must not con-
tain flame retardants with organically bound chlorine and bromine. Flame retardants are allowed
in the printed circuit boards since no substitutes are available.
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.
TCO'99 requirement permits the inclusion of lead since no replacement has yet been devel-
oped.
Cadmium**
Cadmium is present in rechargeable batteries and in the colourgenerating layers of certain
computer displays. Cadmium damages the nervous system and is toxic in high doses.
TCO'99 requirement states that batteries, the colourgenerating 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, Mercury damages the nervous
system and is toxic in high doses.
TCO'99 requirement states that batteries may not contain any Mercury. It also demands that no
mercury is present in any of the electrical or electronics components associated with the display
unit.
CFCs (freons)
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 consequent increased risks of skin cancer (malignant melanoma).
The relevant TCO'99 requirement; Neither CFCs nor HCFCs may be used during the manufac-
turing and assembly of the product or its packaging.
*
Bio-accumulative is defined as substances which accumulate within living organisms.
** Lead, Cadmium and Mercury are heavy metals which are Bio-accumulative.
To obtain complete information on the environmental criteria document, order from:
TCO Development Unit
SE-114 94 Stockholm
SWEDEN
FAX Number: +46 8 782 92 07
E-mail (Internet): development@tco.se
You may also obtain current information on TCO'99 approved and labelled products by visiting
their website at: http://www.tcodevelopment.com
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