Toxic Chemicals in Computers Reloaded
Source: Greenpeace
From press release:

A Greenpeace investigation into hazardous materials in laptop computers shows that manufacturers have phased out use of some of the most toxic materials over the past year but still have a long way to go in eliminating others, such as PVC and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and phthalates.

Greenpeace purchased 18 laptops representing six different brands in 14 countries in Europe, in North and South America and Asia and sent them for analysis by an independent laboratory in Denmark and at the Greenpeace Research Laboratories at Exeter University, in the UK.

The results of the analysis, contained in the report, “Toxic chemicals in computers – Reloaded”, show bromine being present in over 40 per cent of the components tested, at concentrations of up to 10 per cent by weight. Of the components tested, Sony laptops were found to have the lowest number containing bromine, Dell laptops had the highest number. PVC was found in 44 per cent of all plastic coating of internal wires and external cables that were tested. Phthalates were found in the power cables supplied with all laptops, with the highest levels in those of Acer and HP laptops.

+ Full Report (PDF; 1.1 MB)

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