Guest guest Posted May 21, 2008 Report Share Posted May 21, 2008 Toxic Chemicals in Electronics _http://www.computertakeback.com/the_problem/toxicchemicals.cfm_ (http://www.computertakeback.com/the_problem/toxicchemicals.cfm) Electronic Waste is Toxic Waste Over 1,000 materials, including chlorinated solvents, brominated flame retardants,PVC, heavy metals, plastics and gases, are used to make electronic products and their components—semiconductor chips, circuit boards, and disk drives. A CRT monitor can contains between four and eight pounds of lead alone. Big screen TVs contain even more than that. Flat panel TVs and monitors contain less lead, but use mercury. About 40% of the heavy metals, including lead, mercury and cadmium, in landfills come from electronic equipment discards. What Are The Health Risks? Lead The health effects of lead are well known; lead exposure causes brain damage in children and has already been banned from many consumer products. Mercury Mercury is toxic in very low doses, and causes brain and kidney damage. It can be passed on through breast milk; just 1/70th of a teaspoon of mercury can contaminate 20 acres of a lake, making the fish unfit to eat. Cadmium Cadmium accumulates in the human body and poisons the kidneys. BFRs Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) may seriously affect hormonal functions critical for normal development. A recent study of dust on computers in workplaces and homes found BFRs in every sample taken. One group of BFRs, PBDEs, has been found in alarming rates in the breast milk of women in Sweden and the U.S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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