| What's in our PCs? Materials of health concern in a typical desktop computer. | ||
| Name | Use/Location | Health Effects |
| Plastics* | Includes organics and oxides (other than silica) | PBDE-endocrine disruption and affects on fetal development; PBBs-increased risk of cancers of the digestive and lymph systems |
| Lead | Metal joining, radiation shield/CRT, PWB (printed wiring board) | Damage to central and peripheral nervous system, circulatory system, and kidneys; effects on endocrine system, serious adverse effects on brain development |
| Aluminum | Structural, conductivity/housing,CRT, PWB, connectors | Skin rashes, skeletal problems, and respiratory problems including asthma; linked to Alzheimer's Disease |
| Gallium | Semiconductor/PWB | Clear evidence of carcinogenesis in experimental animals |
| Nickel | Structural, magnetivity/(steel) housing, CRT, PWB | Allergic reactions, asthma, chronic bronchitis, impaired lung function; reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen |
| Vanadium | Red phosphor emitter/CRT | Lung and throat irritation |
| Beryllium | Thermal conductivity/PWB,connectors | Lung damage, allergic reactions, chronic beryllium disease; reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen |
| Chromium | Decorative, hardener/(steel) housing | Ulcers, convulsions, liver and kidney damage, strong allergic reactions, asthmatic bronchitis, may cause DNA damage; a known human carcinogen |
| Cadmium | Battery, blue-green phosphor emitter/housing, PWB, CRT | Pulmonary damage, kidney disease, bone fragility; reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen |
| Mercury | Batteries, switches/housing, PWB | Chronic brain, kidney, lung, and fetal damage; increases in blood pressure and heart rate, allergic reactions, effects on brain function and memory; a possible human carcinogen |
| Arsenic | Doping agents in transistors/PWB | Allergic reactions, nausea, vomiting, decreased red and white blood cell production, abnormal heart rhythm; inorganic arsenic is a known human carcinogen |
| Silica | Glass, solid state devices/CRT, PWB | Respirable-size crystalline silica can cause silicosis, emphysema, obstructive airway disease, and lymph node fibrosis; a known human carcinogen |
| Sources: Microelectronics and
Computer Technology Corporation (MCC), 1996; Electronics Industry
Environmental Roadmap, Austin, TX (MSS); Poison PCs/Toxic TVs,
Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, 2001; ATSDR ToxFAQs, 1995-2001; National
Toxicology Program 9th Report on Carcinogens, 2001
*Plastics contain polybrominated flame retardants, and hundreds of additives and stabilizers not listed separately. | ||