Interesthing thing on toxic dust in computers

'Toxic Dust' on Computers Tied to Disease
By RACHEL KONRAD

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - ``Toxic dust'' found on computer processors and
monitors contains chemicals linked to reproductive and neurological
disorders, according to a new study by several environmental groups.

The survey, released Thursday by Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition,
Computer TakeBack Campaign and Clean Production Action, is among the
first to identify brominated flame retardants on the surfaces of
common devices in homes and offices.

Electronics companies began using polybrominated diphenyl (PBDEs) and
other flame retardants in the 1970s, arguing that the toxins prevent
fires and cannot escape from plastic casings.

``This will be a great surprise to everyone who uses a computer,''
said Ted Smith, director of the Toxics Coalition. ``The chemical
industry is subjecting us all to what amounts to chemical trespass by
putting these substances into use in commerce. They continue to use
their chemicals in ways that are affecting humans and other species.''


Researchers collected samples of dust from dozens of computers in
eight states, including university computer labs in New York, Michigan
and Texas, legislative offices in California, and an interactive
computer display at a children's museum in Maine. They tested for
three types of brominated flame retardants suspected to be hazardous.


The most toxic piece of equipment discovered by the researchers was a
new flat-screen monitor in a university in New York, implying that
newer equipment isn't necessarily cleaner.


Penta- and octa-brominated diphenyl will be taken off the market by
the end of the year. Environmental groups are demanding legislation
that would ban deca-brominated diphenyl, too.


PBDEs, which have caused neurological damage in laboratory rats in
numerous studies, are related to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
PCBs have been used in fire extinguishers, fluorescent lights and
liquid insulators since the 1920s.


PCBs were outlawed in the 1970s, but the toxins don't erode and still
persist in the environment.


The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, part of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, and several other
organizations have confirmed that PCBs damage brains of human fetuses.


Scientists have not directly correlated exposure to PBDEs with
specific diseases or developmental impairment. Researchers at
University of California, Davis, and elsewhere are studying possible
links between brominated flame retardants and autism, but results are
years away.


Independent researchers who reviewed the new study say consumers
shouldn't throw out their computers, and they needn't wear special
gloves or minimize exposure to computer monitors. There's no known way
to remove dust-born PBDEs, so special wipes or sprays wouldn't reduce
chemical exposure.


``The levels in the dust are enough to raise a red flag, but not
enough to create a crisis,'' said Dr. Gina Solomon, senior scientist
at the Natural Resources Defense Council and assistant professor of
medicine at University of California, San Francisco. ``I have an old
computer monitor in front of me now, and I'm not about to throw it
away. But when I get a new one, it darn well will be free of these
chemicals.''


The electronics industry has been reducing or eliminating some
brominated flame retardants since the late 1990s, when European
countries began prohibiting the sale of products that contain the
chemicals.


Dell Inc. and many other computer makers continue using a flame
retardant related to PBDEs on circuit boards. They use lead, mercury
and other toxins in central processing units and monitors. But Dell,
along with Apple Computer Inc. and others, stopped using PBDEs in
2002.


``People can be very confident about their new computer purchase,''
Dell spokesman Bryant Hilton said. ``We've worked a lot with
suppliers, and we require audits and material data sheets on all our
products. It's an important topic to be aware of, and brominated flame
retardants are something we've been very focused on and will continue
to be focused on.''

" wrote:
Dell Inc. and many other computer makers continue using a flame
retardant related to PBDEs on circuit boards. They use lead, mercury
and other toxins in central processing units and monitors. But Dell,
along with Apple Computer Inc. and others, stopped using PBDEs in
2002.

First you say they are, then you say they stopped; which is it?

Jon

On Fri, 4 Jun 2004 18:31:53 -0700, "Jon Danniken"
wrote:

" wrote:

Dell Inc. and many other computer makers continue using a flame
retardant related to PBDEs on circuit boards. They use lead, mercury
and other toxins in central processing units and monitors. But Dell,
along with Apple Computer Inc. and others, stopped using PBDEs in
2002.

First you say they are, then you say they stopped; which is it?

Yeah that part is confusing. I think they mean "related to" so they
are continuing to use something like PBDEs but not PBDEs ? I dont
know. However cycnics have pointed out that theres lots of toxic stuff
in PCs and in its production. You know when people used to crow about
how we were moving from dirty basic manufacturing industries to
cleaner high tech industries.

That article really makes me feel great about the 3 old systems I was
working on that were covered in sooty dust particles that I cleaned
off in my living room. I was gagging all night on the particles. I
hope they werent mixed with toxic crud.

I hope this doesn't apply to the magic smoke .....

"Alex" wrote:
I hope this doesn't apply to the magic smoke .....

Doubtful. The magic smoke is formulated according to an ancient synthesis and inserted "off world", if
you catch my drift.

Jon

That's ok, I've been breathing a bit of it lately [grin]


"Jon Danniken" wrote in message
...
"Alex" wrote:
I hope this doesn't apply to the magic smoke .....

Doubtful. The magic smoke is formulated according to an ancient synthesis
and inserted "off world", if
you catch my drift.

Jon

On Mon, 07 Jun 2004 07:54:45 -0400, Trent©
wrote:

On Sat, 05 Jun 2004 03:29:02 GMT, "
wrote:

That article really makes me feel great...

What's your source for the article?

It was spread everywhere like the CNN site :

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/ptech/06/03/toxic.dust.ap/

The credibility though rests on how credible this group is "Toxics
Coalition" blah blah . Ive never heard of it before. Its possible
someone else could come out later and say the danger is grossly
overstated.

I recall flame retardants on foam rubber, plastics were mentioned in
numerous articles as a cancer danger and not breath the crumbling dust
like particles of old foam rubber etc. Dont know if its the same
stuff.


In fact my creep out story of the year was on teflon. One of those
news shows had a thing on teflon. A long story about how teflon is now
used everywhere to repel dirt as well as non-stick pans. They put it
on rugs , clothing , furniture etc. They also said they found teflon
fumes coming from pans so they recommended not heating up pans with
nothing in them . Of course not too many people would do stuff like
that except by accident - all the water boils out or you are warming
it up and forget about it.

They also said some researchers found surprisingly high levels of
teflon in people's bloodstream.

And third , they claimed it may be toxic. The scare story is that the
fumes from heated pans will kill some birds very quickly. I think
thats how the story goes. Anyway ---- Id never heard this. The story
overall had a cautious tone with a scientist/spokesman from the firm
that makes Teflon saying further studies have to be done but they are
fairly sure its not a big danger now.

I did a search and found as you usually do - numerous scare sites
"PANS OF DEATH !!!!" "FRYING PANS OF HORROR !!!!"

They make is seem like we were duped by the usual evildoers
"Corporations" into ingesting pure poison. They cite the usual thing
about birds dying from telfon fumes from pans. Not sure if its serious
or not but its a concern because I use to get into fights with my
mother ages ago when she used to keep using old frying pans that had
curling chips of teflon on the inside which she would say was a waste
to throwaway. Even I know know that ingesting big chunks of some
metallic substance is not good news. She only reacts when a scare
story goes on the news, then she gets hysterical about it but always
seemed to lack common sense.

" wrote in message . ..

It was spread everywhere like the CNN site :

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/ptech/06/03/toxic.dust.ap/

The credibility though rests on how credible this group is "Toxics
Coalition" blah blah . Ive never heard of it before. Its possible
someone else could come out later and say the danger is grossly
overstated.

I recall flame retardants on foam rubber, plastics were mentioned in
numerous articles as a cancer danger and not breath the crumbling dust
like particles of old foam rubber etc. Dont know if its the same
stuff.


Some URLs which may interest:

CHATTY-STYLE LINKS:

Newsgroup Chat (Monitor Size & Tiredness)
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e...o%26rnum %3D2

Newsgroup Chat (17" monitor eyestrain headache - even at 85 hz)
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e...g.goog le.com

Newsgroup Chat (experience with LCD, also 17" NEC headaches @ 160 Hz.,
also mentions use of sunglasses, grey background & 3M shield
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e...y%2Bbackground

(Note: I had my own negative experience with 17" NEC CRT

Newsgroup Chat (Computer monitor gives headaches - TV doesn't)
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e...y%2Bbackground

Newsgroup Chat (LCD monitor hasn't helped my headaches)
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e...y%2Bbackground

Newsgroup Chat (LCD monitor kills my eyes!)
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e...tbi_s03#link10

Newsgroup Chat (Face turns red from computer screen)
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e....supernews.com

Newsgroup Chat (Face turns red from fluorescents)
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e...news.dfncis.de

Newsgroup Chat (Fibromyalgic sensitivity to fluorescent lights &
computers)
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e...g.goog le.com

Newsgroup Chat (Fluorescent lights & fibromyalgia)
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e...f41417&rnum=10

LCD Discussion (Includes Testimonials)
http://www.cloanto.com/users/mcb/19960719lcd.html

FORMAL LINKS:

http://www.drsheedy.com/ Computer Vision Syndrome

http://www.essex.ac.uk/psychology/overlays/ Color & Visual Stress

http://www.evansconsult.org/is.htm Irlen Syndrome

http://www.pol-us.net/ASP_Home/ PhotoBiology Society

http://www.epilepsynse.org.uk/pages/...lets/photo.cfm
Photosensitive Epilepsy

http://www.vestibular.org/computer.html Dr. Yolton, optometrist

http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/chri...ototherapy.htm
Syntonic Phototherapy

http://www.syntonicphototherapy.com/...=38&SubPage=31
Syntonic Optometry - Case Report (reminds me of autistic Georgie
Stehli's successful AudioTherapy)

http://www.mcw.edu/neuroscience/training/eells.htm
Neurotoxins & Optic Nerve Dysfunction (Janis Eells, Ph.D.)

http://www.sumeria.net/health/light.html Sumeria.Net (fluorescense &
weak muscles)

EXCERPT FROM SUMERIA.NET:
"Ott contends that another major problem with all gaseous- discharge
types of lights, including the mercury vapor and limited- spectrum
fluorescent light, is that they emit radiation that grossly weakens
muscle strength, affecting both academic achievement and behavior."

MY COMMENT ON THE ABOVE:
I suspect that any direct light, fluorescent or not, bright or dim,
may be detrimental to photosensitives upon prolonged viewing