AG Neovo X-215, User Manual, Page: 21 / 21

20
Environmental requirements
Brominated flame retardants
Brominated flame retardants are present in printed circuit boards, cables, wires, casings and housings. In turn,
they delay the spread of fire. Up to thirty percent of the plastic in a computer casing can consist of flame
retardant substances. There are related to another group of environmental toxins, PCBs which are suspected
to give rise to similar harm, including reproductive damage in fish eating birds and mammals, due to the
bio-accumulative processes. Flame-retardants have been found in human blood and researchers fear that
disturbances in foetus development may occur.
TCO'95 demand requires that plastic components weighing more than 25 grams must not contain organically
bound chlorine and bromine.
Lead**
Lead can be found in picture tubes, display screens, solders and capacitors. Lead damages the nervous system
and in higher doses, causes lead poisoning. TCO’95 requirement permits the inclusion of lead since no
replacement has yet been developed.
Cadmium**
Cadmium is present in rechargeable batteries and in the colour-generating layers of certain computer displays.
Cadmium damages the nervous system and is toxic in high doses. TCO'95 requirement states that batteries
may not contain more than 25 ppm (parts per million) of cadmium. The colour-generating layers of display
screens must not contain any cadmium.
Mercury**1
Mercury is sometimes found in batteries, relays and switches. Mercury damages the nervous system and is
toxic in high doses. TCO'95 requirement states that batteries may not contain more than 25 ppm (parts per
million) of mercury. It also demands that no mercury is present in any of the electrical or electronics
components concerned with the display unit.
CFCs (freons)
CFCs (freons) are sometimes used for washing printed circuit boards and in the manufacturing of expanded
foam for packaging. CFCs break down ozone and thereby damage the ozone layer in the stratosphere, causing
increased reception on earth of ultraviolet light with consequent increased risks of skin cancer (malignant
melanoma).
The relevant TCO'95 requirement: Neither CFCs nor HCFCs may be used during the manufacturing of the
product or its packaging.
*Bio-accumulative is defined as substances which accumulate within living organisms
**Lead, Cadmium and Mercury are heavy metals which are Bio-accumulative.