Dell UltraScan P780 User Manual page 19

TCO Development
SE-114 94 Stockholm, Sweden
Fax: +46 8 782 92 07
Email (Internet): development@tco.se
Current information regarding TCO'99 approved and labeled products may also be
obtained via the Internet, using the address: http://www.tco-info.com/
Environmental requirements
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 foetus 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.
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Cadmium
Cadmium is present in rechargeable batteries and in the colour-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 colour-
generating layers of display screens and the electrical or electronics components must not contain any cadmium.
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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 e.g. increased risks
of skin cancer (malignant melanoma) as a consequence.
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