Greenpeace protests against computer toxins at Computex

Greenpeace held a demonstration outside the main Computex exhibition hall, demanding that high-tech companies stop using dangerous chemicals and metals in their products.

Lined up in front of the main entrance, the group said it wanted electronics companies to cut down on the toxins used in products, which are a particular hazard to the many children in third- world countries that dismantle them once they reach the end of their life.

It also wanted to 'remind Acer to keep its promise to phase out toxins by the third quarter' from its products, said toxics campaigner for Greenpeace Jamie Choi.

She added: 'We want the electronics industry to take responsibility now and stop using toxins in their products.'

Greenpeace claims many computing products expose consumers to dangerous chemicals and metals, such as lead.

But the biggest impact, said Choi, was in countries like India and China, once consumer electronics have been sent to waste sites for dismantling.

Of the children taking products apart, Greenpeace claims about '80 per cent have lead poisoning in their blood', she said.

Although standing in front of the entrance, the Greenpeace demonstration did not disrupt the conference, it did attract the interest of those attending the exhibition.

Computex , held every year in Taiwan, is the world's second largest computer and consumer electronics exhibition.