HP L1502e - Flat Panel Monitor User Manual page 44

Agency Regulatory Notices
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*1 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.
Cadmium:*2*
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.
Mercury:*2*
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.
There is however one exception. Mercury is, for the time being,
permitted in the back light system of flat panel monitors as there
today is no commercially available alternative. TCO aims on
removing this exception when a mercury free alternative is available.
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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