Foreword
page 5
LaCie 119 Monitor
User’s Manual
Congratulations! You have just purchased a TCO’99
approved and labeled product! Your choice has provided you
with a product developed for professional use. Your purchase
has also contributed to reducing the burden on the environ-
ment andto the further development of environmentally adapt-
ed electronics products.
Why do we have environmentally labeled computers?
In many countries, environmental labeling has become an
established method for encouraging the adaptation of goods
and services to the environment. The main problem, as far as
computers and other electronics equipment are concerned, is
that
environmentally harmful substances are used both in the prod-
ucts and during the manufacturing. Since it has not been pos-
sible for the majority of electronics equipment to be recycled in
a satisfactory way, most of these potentially damaging sub-
stances sooner or later enter Nature. There are also other
characteristics of a computer, such as energy consumption lev-
els, that are important from the viewpoints of both the work
(internal) and natural (external) environments. Since all meth-
ods of conventional electricity generation have a negative
effect on the environment (acidic and climate-influencing emis-
sions, radioactive waste, etc.), it is vital to conserve energy.
Electronics equipment in offices consume an enormous amount
of energy since they are often left running continuously.
What does labeling involve?
This product meets the requirements for international and envi-
ronmental labeling of personal computers. The requirements
cover a wide range of issues, including: environment,
ergonomics, usability, emission of electrical and magnetic
fields, energy consumption and electrical and fire safety. The
environmental demands concern restrictions on the presence
and use of heavy metals, brominated and chlorinated flame
retardants, CFCs (freons) and chlorinated solvents, among
other things. The product must be prepared for recycling and
the manufacturer is obliged to have an envi-
ronmental plan which must be adhered to in
each country where the company imple-
ments its operational policy. The energy
requirements include a demand that the
computer and/or display, after a certain period of inactivity,
shall reduce its power consumption to a lower level in one or
more stages. The length of time to reactivate the computer
shall be reasonable for the user. Labeled products must meet
strict environmental demands, for example, in respect of the
reduction of electric and magnetic fields, physical and visual
ergonomics and good usability.
Environmental Requirements
Flame retardants
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. Most flame retar-
dants contain bromine or chloride and these are related to
another group of environmental toxins, PCBs, which are sus-
pected to give rise to severe health effects, including reproduc-
tive damage in fisheating birds and mammals, due to the
bioaccumulative* processes. Flame retardants have been
found in human blood and researchers fear that disturbances
in fetus development may occur. Plastic components weighing
more than 25 grams must not contain flame retardants with
organically bound chlorine and bromine. Flame retardants are
allowed in the printed circuit boards since no substitutes are
available.
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’99 requirement permits the inclusion of lead since no
replacement has yet been developed.
