If you have chemical sensitivities, your computer requirements are quite challenging. All chemical sensitivities sufferers we spoke to have big problems using computers.
Considering the potentially harmful substances in a computer, that’s not really a surprise. The biggest offenders for people with chemical sensitivities are:
1. Brominated flamed retardants (BFR)
2. Plasticizers
3. Toxic and carcinogenic residue from manufacturing
What do these substances do?
The worst for people with chemical sensitivities is the out-gassing. Secondly, these hazardous substances should be treated as hazardous waste and in most cases they are not. During manufacturing of electronics, many of these toxins end up in the environment. And a lot of those toxins end up in the environment after the computer is thrown out, especially when not properly recycled.
Now, Back to the Substances and Out-Gassing
1. Brominated Flame Retardants (BFR), Tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA)
Brominated flame retardants are used, in the form of Tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA), on the electronics to avoid the spread of fire. Previously they were also widely used in the plastic parts of computer cases and keyboards.
Many people with chemical sensitivities tell us that they are allergic to those. TBBPAs are chemically bound in the epoxy and small amounts of the substance can actually gas out. It seems even very low levels can affect chemical sensitivities people.
2. Plasticizers
These substances are unregulated. Most of them are likely “gassing out”, adding to the substance mix around the computer.
If a plastic is getting brittle or less flexible over time, it has been out-gassing.
3. Toxic and Carcinogenic Manufacturing Residue
These are the most underreported and unregulated substances in a computer. The biggest culprit seem to be the substances used during the soldering process of the electronics. The solder flux/washing solution leave a slightly “greasy” look, feel and a smell on electronics.
These substance can also contain carcinogenic and toxic substances. Soldering waste is “hazardous waste” in some countries, but not in most countries where electronics are actually manufactured.
Read the article Toxic and Carcinogenic Chemicals in Computers for more information.
What Can You Do Now to Avoid Those Toxic and Carcinogenic Chemicals?
Use a computer that eliminates or greatly reduces those toxins, ask your computer dealer for these substances. You can find out more about environmentally friendly computers here.
A reduction of 95% or more of the brominated flame retardants and the toxic and carcinogenic substances in these computers is already possible and seems to work for most people with chemical sensitivities.
Additionally, the green computers reduce noise and have a superior electromagnetic shield to further reduce the stress level of chemical sensitivities sufferers and all other computer users.
Almost all users with chemical sensitivities can use these environmentally friendly computers right out of the box or within 1-2 days of receiving their new computer.