Be\ow you wi\\ find ab~ief summaryof theenviwnmenta\~eqti]~ementsmetbyIhsQTodUC1.?The
comP\eteecwi~onmenta!cI\teIiadocumentmay be ofde~edfIO~
TCODevelopment
SE- 11494Stockholm, Sweden
Fax: +46 87829207
Email (Internet):
[email protected]
Current information regarding TCCY99 approved and labelled products may also be
obtained via the Internet, using the address: http: //www.tco-info. corn/
Environmentalrequirements
Flame retardants
Flame retardants are presentinprintedcircuitboards,cables,wwes,casingsandhousingsTheir
purpose istopreverr~or atleasttodelay the spread of tire.Up to30% of the plasticina computer casing
can consistof flame retardantsubstances Most flame retardants contain bromine or chloride, and those
flame retardantsare chemically related to another group ofenwronmentaltoxins,PCBS. Both the flame
retardants containing bromine or chloride and the PCBS are suspected of giving riseto severe health
effects,nrcludlng reproductive damagein fish-eatingbirds and mammals,due tothe bio-accumulative?
processes Flame retardants have been found in humanblood and researchers fear thatdisturbances in
foeicrsdevelopment may occur
The relevant TC099demandrequires that plasticcomponentsweighing more than 25 grams must not
contain flame retardants with orgarrlcallybound bromine or chlorine Flame retardants are allowed in
the printed circuitboards since no substitutesare available.
Cadmium??
Cadmiumispresent in rechargeable batteriesand in the colour-generating layers of certain computer
displays Cadmiumdamagesthe nervous system and istoxic m high doses. The relevant TC099
requirement statesthatbatter]es,the colour-generating layersof dmplay screens and the electricalor
electronicscomponentsmust not contain any cadmium.
Mercurya?
Mercury issometimes found inbatteries,relays and switches. Itdamagesthe nervous system and is
toxic in high doses The relevant TC099requwementstatesthatbatteriesmay not contain any mercury
Italso demandsthatmercury isnot present in any of the electricalor electronicscomponentsassociated
with the Iabelledunit There ishowever one exception. Mercury is,forthe hme being, permmedinthe
back I]ghtsystem of flatpanel monitors as there today isno commercially available alternative TCO
alms on remowngthisexception when a mercury free alternativeISavadable.
CFCS (freons)
The relevant TC099requirement statesthat neither CFCS rrorHCFCSmay be useddwmglhe
manu!acku~eandassemb!yOftheproduct,CFCS(freons)wesometimesusedforwashingprintedcircuit
boardsCFCSbreakdownozoneandtherebydamagethe ozone layer }nthe stratosphere,causing
Increased reception on earth of ultrawolet lightwith e g. increased risksof sk}rrcancer (mallgnant
melanoma)as a consequence
Lead??
Lead can be found inpicture tubes, display screens. solders and capac]lors.Lead damagesknervous
system and m higher doses, causes lead poisoning. The relevant TCO ?99 requirement permits the
irrclus]onof lead stnce no replacement has yet been developed.
?lho-uccumulumwM definedm.sub.ttanceswiuchaccumcdufewuhmhwn~orgmnsm~
??Leud, (?admtum and Mercurywe heavy mefakwhtch ure &o-accumrdatwe.
29 February, 2000
ACEC
HITACHI
