Buying Greener Technology – Eco-Labels. Understanding the effects of the hazardous substances
Whenever I talk about Green IT to people (and that’s A LOT! 
), it still does not seem to be commonly known you can buy ‘Greener Technology’.
Someone once made a comment to me – ‘It will make me look good in front of my mates…’. It wasn’t a comment specifically for buying technology as such. Ask people what makes them buy a particular product (or service), and you’ll get different responses…
- Cost
- Loyalty
- Looking good/image…
Why people buy what they do has been covered in a previous blog post (reference given further below in the ‘Other Useful Links’ section).
Ecma International, formerly known as the European Computer Manufacturers Association, together with the Scandinavian IT ECO Declaration, developed the industry standards for creating reports detailing the environmental attributes for the manufacture of Information Communication Technology. Several types of technologies are covered.
There are now 9 manufacturers who have their products EPEAT (Electronic Products Environmental Assessment tool) registered in the UK, one of which is HP. One of my contacts at HP had sent me an ECO declaration, which basically breakdowns the product environmental attributes and states if the requirement has been met – Yes, No or N/A. I have summarised some of the sections you would find in the ECO declaration and given a description for each of these. The information used in this blog post was kindly researched for me by Vanya and she did great research! The source references are listed further below.
Hopefully, it will help raise more awareness of how some PC manufacturers are reporting on how they reduce the presence of hazardous substances in the actual product and its manufacturing process, and also ensure it is energy efficient – SAVE MONEY and REDUCE CARBON FOOTPRINT. You’ll now know why you have purchased Greener Technology - reasons on why it is good for the environment and the impact it has on health.
ECO-DECLARATION – PRODUCT ENVIRONMENTAL ATTRIBUTES - LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
| SECTION | DESCRIPTION (also see table below) | |
| Hazardous substances and preparations Products do not contain more than; 0.1% lead, 0.01% cadmium, 0.1% mercury, 0.1% hexavalent chromium, 0.1% polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) or 0.1% polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE). (See legal reference and Note B1) – - (ROHS – Reduction of Hazardous Substances). | HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE/(PRONOUNCED) | |
| Lead (Pb)(led) | ||
| Cadmium (Cd)(cad-me-um) | ||
| Mercury (Hg)(mer-cue-ree) | ||
| Hexavalent chromium(Cr6+)(hex-a-vay-lent crow-me-um) | ||
| Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)(poly-bro-min-ated)bye-fee-niles’ | ||
| Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)(poly-bro-min-ateddye-fee-nileee-thurs) | ||
| Hazardous substances and preparations Parts with direct and prolonged skin contact do not release nickel in concentrations above 0.5 microgram/cm2/week (see legal reference). Comment: Max limit in legal reference when tested according to EN1811:1998. | Nickel(nick-el) | |
| Hazardous substances and preparations Products do not contain Ozone Depleting Substances: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFC), hydrochlorofluorcarbons (HCFC), Halons, carbontetrachloride, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, methyl bromide (see legal reference). Comment: Legal reference has no maximum concentration values. | Chlorofluorocarbons(CFCs)(clore-o-floor-o car-bons) | |
| Hazardous substances and preparations Textile and leather parts with direct skin contact do not contain more than 0.003% Azo colorants that split aromatic amines. (See legal reference and Note B1) | Azo colourantsR-N=N-R’ | |
| Hazardous substances and preparations Products do not contain more than 0.1% short chain chloroparaffins (SCCP) with 10-13 carbon atoms in the chain containing at least 48% per mass of chlorine in the SCCP (see legal reference). | Short chain chloroparaffins (SCCP)C10-C13(short chain clore-o-par-a-fins) | |
| Hazardous substances and preparations Textile and leather parts with direct skin contact do not contain Tri-(2,3,-dibromopropyl)-phosphate (TRIS), Tris-(aziridinyl)-phosphineoxide (TEPA), polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) (see legal reference). Comment: Legal reference has no maximum concentration values. | Tri-(2,3,-dibromopropyl)-phosphate (TRIS)(try-2-3-dye-bro-mo-pro-pile-fos-fate)AndTris (aziridinyl) phosphine oxide (TEPA)(tris ay-zye-rid-in-ill fos-fine ox-ide) | |
| Hazardous substances and preparations Wooden parts do not contain arsenic and chromium as a wood preservation treatment as well as pentachlorophenol and derivatives (see legal reference). Comment: Legal reference has no maximum concentration values. | Pentachlorophenol(pen-ta-clore-o-fee-nol) | |
| Hazardous substances and preparations Wooden parts do not contain arsenic and chromium as a wood preservation treatment as well as pentachlorophenol and derivatives (see legal reference). Comment: Legal reference has no maximum concentration values. | Arsenic(are-sen-ick) | |
| HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE/(PRONOUNCED) | POSSIBLE USES IN PC/MANUFACTURE | FURTHER INFORMATION AND HEALTH EFFECTS |
| Lead (Pb)(led) | Batteries | Lead poses a threat when inhaled as a vapour, through ingestion of contaminated foods and lead alkyls can enter the body via the skin. Inappropriate disposal can cause the surrounding air, soil and water systems to become contaminated with unsafe levels.Research has shown that even low level exposure can affect health as it can accumulate in bones. Symptoms include: tiredness, headaches, nausea, stomach pains, weight loss, a rise in blood pressure and anaemia due to the disruption of haemoglobin biosynthesis.High levels of exposure can cause: kidney failure, nerve and brain damage and infertility |
| Glass of computer screens to shield user from radiation | ||
| Tin-lead alloy used to solder chips to printed circuit boards | ||
| Plastic stabiliser in PVC cabling | ||
| Cadmium (Cd)(cad-me-um) | Nickel-cadmium batteries | Cadmium is a heavy metal with hightoxicity.Produced as a by-product of zinc ore smelting.Nickel-cadmium batteries are being phased out in favour of lithium ion batteries, which are not considered toxic.Continued exposure leads to cadmium accumulation in kidneys, damaging filtering mechanisms, so sugars and essential proteins released in urine- proteinuria.Can also affect calcium stores, causing osteoperosis, and vitamin D and collagen metabolism |
| Plating of metals | ||
| Plastic pigments | ||
| Plastic stabilisers | ||
| Mercury (Hg)(mer-cue-ree) | Lighting in fluorescent lamps | Mercury is a metal found in liquid form at room temperature due to its a low melting point. It is commonly used as an alloy and in lighting.Known to bioaccumulate in environment, effects seen in several species of aquatic organisms. Once released into the atmosphere, it is returned as a water-soluble form in precipitation and finds its way into bodies of water i.e. oceans.In humans, it can cause kidney damage, neurological problems and tremors. |
| Backlighting in LCD screens | ||
| Printed circuit boards | ||
| Batteries | ||
| Switches | ||
| Hexavalent chromium(Cr6+)(hex-a-vay-lent crow-me-um) | Production of stainless steel- its addition prevents corrosion | Chromium is a metal commonly used to provide pigments due to its colour changes in various oxidative states.Hexavalent chromium is a toxic form of the metal.It is widely recognised as a potential carcinogen, particularly affecting the nasal and respiratory passages through inhalation and causing eye irritation. High levels of exposure have been linked to kidney damage. |
| Chromate pigments. | ||
| Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)(poly-bro-min-ated)bye-fee-niles’ | Flame retardant | PBBs are very rarely used today, having been prohibited in various countries.The chemical has been shown to enter the environment through manufacturing, improper waste management and can enter the food chain through soil and aquatic life, accumulating up the food chain.Linked to nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, joint pain, fatigue, and weakness |
| Plastic production | ||
| Production of epoxy resins in printed circuit boards | ||
| Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)(poly-bro-min-ateddye-fee-nileee-thurs) | Flame retardant | PBDE is now rarely used as a flame retardant due to its known affects human health and persistence in the environment.PBDE can bioaccumulate in blood, breast milk, and fat tissues and has been linked to liver toxicity, thyroid toxicity, and neurodevelopmental toxicity and infertility. |
| Nickel(nick-el) | Used in production of stainless steel as an alloy | Nickel is a metal used in the production of stainless steel.Release of nickel into environment through waste disposal leads to increased levels in soils, taken up by food grown. However research shows it does not accumulate in animals/plants so does not bioaccumulate up the food chain.Can cause allergic reactions through dermal contact.High level exposure increases risk of lung, nose cancer, respiratory disorders and birth defects. |
| Batteries | ||
| Plating | ||
| Chlorofluorocarbons(CFCs)(clore-o-floor-o car-bons) | Can be found in some coolant systems e.g. refrigerators. | CFCs are a type of greenhouse gas known to detrimentally affect the ozone layer. None are emitted in IT manufacturing process at all.The Montreal Protocol developed in 1987, is an agreement signed internationally where the use of CFCs was to be phased out by 1996, HP has signed up to this. |
| Azo colourantsR-N=N-R’ | Textiles dye | Bacteria present naturally on skin can break down these dyes to release aromatic amines which can then enter the bloodstream.Can cause cancer of urinal tract/bladder, skin sensitivity and damage of red blood cells. |
| Short chain chloroparaffins (SCCP)C10-C13(short chain clore-o-par-a-fins) | Used to provide elasticity in rubberUsed as flame retardant in rubber, plastics and textiles | An EU risk assessment has shown it poses no conclusive danger to humans or environment in its use as a flame retardant.However some studies using rats and aquatic life have shown it to have carcinogenic properties, so use of the chemical is limited where possible. |
| Tri-(2,3,-dibromopropyl)-phosphate (TRIS)(try-2-3-dye-bro-mo-pro-pile-fos-fate)AndTris (aziridinyl) phosphine oxide (TEPA)(tris ay-zye-rid-in-ill fos-fine ox-ide) | Used as flame retardants in textiles | Exposure occurs via inhalation, ingestion or dermal contact.TRIS is a carcinogenic over prolonged periods of exposure to skin; the effects were seen when the flame retardant was used in children’s nightwear.Linked to kidney cancer, localised in nephrons.TEPA has been linked to decreased fertility in mice and aquatic life |
| Pentachlorophenol(pen-ta-clore-o-fee-nol) | Found in wood preservation treatments | This highly toxic pesticide and fungicide is used to help preserve wood, significantly increasing the product lifeIt is usually only used to treat large pieces of wood used in railway tracks and telephone poles.Research has shown the pesticide can affect the fertility and hormone levels of sheep. |
| Arsenic(are-sen-ick) | CRT screen glass | Arsenic is a chemical element often used to strengthen metal alloys containing lead and copper, and as a semi-conductor.As it is poisonous to fungi, bacteria and insects, it is often used in wood preservation treatments.Arsenic that has been released into the environment builds up in soils and drains into water supplies and without sufficient purity testing of drinking water, can lead to arsenic poisoning.Arsenic poisoning in humans causes irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, lungs, and skin.Studies have shown arsenic can inhibit the function of tumour suppressing genes, increasing the likelihood of developing cancer.Now usually replaced with Sodium antimony, which is less hazardous.
|
| Batteries | Non-toxic lithium/manganese dioxide batteries are used. If they contain mercury or lead, they are appropriately labelled to aid correct disposal. Batteries and accumulators are usually easily removable, unless present in a computer where data integrity must be preserved for special reasons i.e. medical records |
| Electrical safety, EMC and connection to the telephone network | Products legally need to be electromagnetically compatible according to set standards. If intended for connection with a public telecoms network, further legal requirements need to be met. If any hazardous substances are present, documentation and adequate labelling are required. |
| Consumable materials | Ink/toners and photoconductors, if present, need to meet legal requirements relating to the concentration of cadmium, see table above for hazards. |
| Product Packaging | This section details the materials used to package the desktop. Although companies strive to reduce the amount of packaging, it is important to remember that the longs distances travelled necessitate their use, due to the majority of desktops being manufactured in China and the Far East. Plastic packaging is labelled following regulations set out in ISO 11469, with the polymers following ISO 1043. |
ECO-DECLARATION – PRODUCT ENVIRONMENTAL ATTRIBUTES – MARKET REQUIREMENTS – ENVIRONMENTAL CONSCIOUS DESIGN
| SECTION | DESCRIPTION |
| Disassembly | Parts that need to be recycled/ disposed of separately should be easily separable. The use of un-recyclable plastics should be minimal. Plastic parts should be free from metal inlays or have easily removable inlays, as this aids the re-use of metals after disposals. |
| Product lifetime | An increased lifetime and ability to be upgraded helps to reduce the amount of waste material produced, reducing the impact on the environment. The desktop’s processor and memory can be upgraded using simple tools. Computers can also be repaired rather than replaced using spare parts made available by HP for up to 3 years after the end of product production. |
| Material and substance requirements | Electrical cable insulation is PVC free and the use of halogens (chlorine, bromine etc.) is controlled. Flame retardants are required in the product, but manufacturers prefer to use chemicals that are less hazardous than those used in the past. |
| Energy consumption | Power levels and energy consumptions at various computer modes are reported here i.e. PC on, sleep mode and off mode, while still plugged in to AC mains. This information can be used for comparisons with other available PCs. (Energy Star) |
| Emissions (Noise, Chemical) | Noise. ISO 9296 details the industry standard for noise declaration of information technology equipment. The noise emissions from the fan and spinning of the hard disk drive are tested here. |
| Chemical Emissions from Printing Products. Testing follows the standards set in ECMA- 328; ISO 28360 specifies methods used to determine chemical emission rates of analyte from information and communication technology and consumer electronics equipment during intended operation in an Emission Test Chamber (ETC). | |
| Ergonomics for computing products | Detailed here are the steps taken to ensure computer use in a home or office environment remains comfortable for a period of up to 8 hours a day, minimising undue muscle strain and effects on vision. In addition to measures taken in the manufacture of desktops, users should try and use ergonomically designed office furniture, i.e. chairs and desks, to also help minimise health problems caused by poor posture and repetitive strain injury. ISO 9241-307 specifically concentrates on screen pixel defects in flat panel monitors. Most premium companies adhere to standards set in Class 0, where panels are completely defect-free, including no full pixel or sub-pixel defects.ISO 9241-410 sets out the design criteria for non-keyboard input devices.ISO 9995 sets the standard for computer keyboard layouts including numeric keypads. |
| Packaging and documentation | Specifies types of plastic used to package computer documentation and chemicals present in paper.The use of PVC and chlorine bleached paper is usually avoided; ideally recycled fibres should be used for paper documentation. |
| OTHER USEFUL LINKS | DESCRIPTION |
| http://triptaprashar.wordpress.com/2010/05/23/it-eco-labeling-purchasing-greener-it-equipment-which-reduces-impact-on-the-environment-saves-energy-and-carbon-footprint/ | Previous Blog Post on ‘IT eco-labeling. Purchasing Greener IT equipment which reduces the impact on the environment, saves energy and carbon footprint’ – written 23/05/2010 |
| http://triptaprashar.wordpress.com/2010/08/17/knowing-what-items-can-be-recycled-reducing-waste/ | Previous Blog Post on ‘Knowing what items can be recycled – reducing waste’ – written 17/08/2010 |
| http://triptaprashar.wordpress.com/2010/08/19/hazardous-wastes-and-their-disposal-to-poor-countries-a-global-graveyard-for-dead-computers-in-ghana-rohs/ | Previous Blog Post on ‘Hazardous wastes and their disposal to poor countries – a global graveyard for dead computers in ghana’ – written 19/08/2010 |
| http://triptaprashar.wordpress.com/2010/11/19/the-story-of-electronics-electronic-waste/ | Previous Blog Post on ‘The story of electronics’ – written 19/11/2010 |
| http://triptaprashar.wordpress.com/2011/03/04/how-corporate-social-responsiblity-csr-could-help-save-money-and-the-environment/ | Previous Blog Post on ‘How Corporate Social Responsibility could save money and the environment’ – written 04/03/2011 |
| http://www.givingtimeandsolutions.com | Green IT Whitepaper and Articles |
| USEFUL LINKS(Information used in this blog post have been referenced from some of these sources. All are worth reading!) |
| http://www.environmentwriter.org/resources/backissues/chemicals/di2_ethyl.htmhttp://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/hesis/Documents/arsen2.pdf
http://apps.sepa.org.uk/spripa/Pages/SubstanceInformation.aspx?pid=114http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/hexavalent_chromium.pdf http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=528&tid=94 http://http://www.cefic-efra.com/Objects/2/Files/IntroChlorineFactsheets.pdf http://http://www.ipen.org/ipenweb/poprc/newpops.html#Short-chain%20chlorinated%20parrafins http://www.silent.se/iso-7779.php Blood Lead Level and Kidney Function in US Adolescents: The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Archives of internal medicine. 2010,170 (1), pp. 75-82. Fadrowski Jeffrey J.; Navas-Acien Ana; Tellez-Plaza Maria; Guallar Eliseo; Weaver Virginia M.; Furth Susan L. Evaluation of lead and mercury neurotoxic health risk by resident children in the Obuasi municipality, Ghana. Environmental Toxicology and PharmacologyVolume 29, Issue 3, May 2010, Pages 209-212. S. Obiri, D.K. Dodoo, F.A. Armah, D.K. Essumang and S.J. Cobbina Effects of exposure to cadmium on calcium metabolism: a population study. Br J Ind Med 1991; 48:710-714. J Staessen, A Amery, A Bernard, P Bruaux, J P Buchet, F Claeys, P De Plaen, G Ducoffre, R Fagard, R R Lauwerys Cadmium in human population. Experientia 1984; 40: 143-50. Bernard A, Lauwerys R. Mercury species of sediment and fish in freshwater fish ponds around the Pearl River Delta, PR China: Human health risk assessment. Chemosphere Volume 83, Issue 4, April 2011, Pages 443-448. Dingding Shao, Peng Liang, Yuan Kang, Hongsheng Wang, Zhang Cheng, Shengchun Wu, Jianbo Shi, Samuel Chun Lap Lo, Wenxiong Wang and Ming H. Wong The toxicology of mercury. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci. 1997; 34(4):369-403. Clarkson TW. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs): biochemistry, toxicology, and mechanism of action. Crit Rev Toxicol. 1984;13(4):319-95. Safe S. Szabo “Effects of perinatal PBDE exposure on hepatic phase I, phase II, phase III, and deiodinase 1 gene expression involved in thyroid hormone metabolism in male rat pups”. Toxicol. Sci. 107 (1): 27–39. (January 2009). DT, Richardson VM, Ross DG, Diliberto JJ, Kodavanti PR, Birnbaum LS. Effects of repeated skin exposure to low nickel concentrations : a model for allergic contact dermatitis to nickel on the hands. British journal of dermatology 1999, vol. 141, no4, pp. 676-682. Nielsen N. H., Menne T.; Kristiansen J. ; Christensen J. M.; Borg L. Poulsen L. K. Children absorb tris-BP flame retardant from sleepwear: urine contains the mutagenic metabolite, 2,3-dibromopropanol. Science 15 September 1978: Vol. 201 no. 4360 pp. 1020-1023. A Blum, MD Gold, BN Ames, FR Jones, EA Hett, RC Dougherty, EC Horning, I Dzidic, DI Carroll, RN Stillwell and JP Thenot Renal and testicular damage following dermal application of the flame retardant tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A: Current Issues. Volume 3, Issue 5 & 6, 1977, Pages 979 – 987. R. E. Osterberga; G. W. Bierbowera; R. M. Hehir Nephrotoxicity of the flame retardant, tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate, and its metabolites. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. Volume 62, Issue 1, January 1982, Pages 179-182. W. Clayton Elliott, Robert K. Lynn, Donald C. Houghton, John M. Kennish and William M. Bennett Some Effects of TEPA, an Insect Chemosterilant, on the Guppy, Poecilia reticulata .Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 98 (2)280 – 287, 1969, Jay N. Stocka; Oliver B. Copea Sterility and semisterility in male progeny of male mice treated with the chemical mutagen TEPA. Toxicology and Applied PharmacologyVolume 19, Issue 2, June 1971, Pages 134-146. S. S. Epstein, W. Bass, E. Arnold, Y. Bishop, S. Joshi and I. D. Adle Epigenetics and environmental chemicals. Current opinion in Pediatrics 21 (2): 243–251 (2009).Baccarelli, A.; Bollati, V.. Carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic effects of arsenic. Environ Health Perspect. 1977 August; 19: 179–182. V Bencko Effects of the pesticides carbofuran, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, lindane, triallate, trifluralin, 2, 4-D, and pentachlorophenol on the metabolic endocrine and reproductive endocrine system in ewes. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A, Vol 54 (1): 21-26, 1998. N. C. Rawlings S. J. Cook D. Waldbillig Formation of a carcinogenic aromatic amine from an azo dye by human skin bacteria in vitro. Hum Exp Toxicol September 1999 vol. 18 no. 9 552-559. T Platzek, C Lang, G Grohmann, U-S Gi, W Baltes |
DATE: 05/10/2011 02:00pm
Tripta Prashar
