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Philips 150B4AG Environmental Requirements, Return To Top Of The Page, Flame retardants, Cadmium

Models: 150B4AG

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Regulatory Information

Current information regarding TCO'95/TCO'99 approved and labeled products may also be obtained via the Internet, using the address: http://www.tco-info.com/

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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 fetus development may occur.

The relevant TCO'95/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 color-generating layers of certain computer displays. Cadmium damages the nervous system and is toxic in high doses. The relevant TCO' 95/TCO'99 requirement states that batteries, the color-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'95/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'95/TCO'99 requirement states that neither CFCs nor HCFCs may be used during the

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Philips 150B4AG Environmental Requirements, Return To Top Of The Page, Flame retardants, Cadmium, Mercury, CFCs freons
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FAQ

What are flame retardants and where are they present?

Flame retardants are present in printed circuit boards, cables, wires, casings, and housings, with the purpose of preventing or delaying the spread of fire.

What are the health effects related to flame retardants?

Flame retardants containing bromine or chloride, as well as PCBs, are suspected of causing severe health effects, including reproductive damage in fish-eating birds and mammals, and disturbances in fetus development.

What is the TCO95/TCO99 requirement related to cadmium?

The requirement states that batteries, the color-generating layers of display screens, and electrical or electronics components must not contain any cadmium.