Eizo FlexScan L660 User Manual page 53

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.
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.
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 labelled 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.
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. The relevant
TCO'99 requirement permits the inclusion of lead since no replacement has yet been
developed.
* Bio-accumulative is defined as substances which accumulate within living
organisms.
** Lead, Cadmium and Mercury are heavy metals which are Bio-accumulative.
Applicable to gray
( standard ) color
version only