Our PCs, our planet

What’s in the box?
Starting on the outside, many computers and other pieces of electrical equipment are treated with flame retardants, using a class of chemical called brominated flame retardants. Obviously, you don’t want your computer catching fire and these chemicals, used in boards and plastic cases, help stop that.

But, according to research, they don’t break down easily in the environment, and long-term human exposure can cause memory or learning problems, and interfere with the thyroid gland.

Some metal casings, meanwhile, use hexavalent chromium to harden them, a compound that can be very toxic, and that is released by burning.

Your monitor, whether flat-panel TFT or traditional CRT, is also a cause for concern. CRTs contain lead, which is well known for its longer term effects on the body. Flat-panel displays often use mercury in the backlight illumination.

Inside the PC, you’ll find cadmium in Cmos batteries, which can affect kidneys and bones, more flame retardants in the circuit boards, and beryllium, which is found mostly in older motherboards. When motherboards are destroyed, beryllium dust can be released, which can affect the lungs.

Most visible inside your computer you will find lots of PVC, a material we often take for granted. When it is burned, however, poisonous substances can be released.

Disposal
While there may be some pretty awful things inside your PC, they are not going to kill you. The chemicals and compounds that make up your computer are stable. However, problems arise when they are not disposed of properly.

There are two solutions to this: the first is not to include them in the first place.

The EU’s RoHS (restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment) directive, which came into force this year, restricts the amount of lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium and brominated flame retardants that can be used in a wide range of products, including computer gear.

For some reason, though, it doesn’t cover guidelines on batteries.

The second solution is to make sure that waste is disposed of properly. The WEEE directive imposes requirements on manufacturers to take back equipment and ensure it is recycled in an appropriate way.

So far, so good, you might think. There will be less of the nasty stuff in the future, and our existing stuff can be disposed of safely.