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What's in our PCs? Materials of health concern in a typical desktop computer.
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Name
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Use/Location
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Health Effects
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Plastics*
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Includes organics and oxides (other than silica)
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PBDE-endocrine disruption and affects on fetal development; PBBs-increased risk of cancers of the digestive and lymph systems
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Lead
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Metal joining, radiation shield/CRT, PWB (printed wiring board)
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Damage to central and peripheral nervous system, circulatory system, and kidneys; effects on endocrine system, serious adverse effects on brain development
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Aluminum
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Structural, conductivity/housing,CRT, PWB, connectors
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Skin rashes, skeletal problems, and respiratory problems including asthma; linked to Alzheimer's Disease
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Gallium
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Semiconductor/PWB
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Clear evidence of carcinogenesis in experimental animals
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Nickel
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Structural, magnetivity/(steel) housing, CRT, PWB
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Allergic reactions, asthma, chronic bronchitis, impaired lung function; reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen
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Vanadium
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Red phosphor emitter/CRT
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Lung and throat irritation
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Beryllium
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Thermal conductivity/PWB,connectors
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Lung damage, allergic reactions, chronic beryllium disease; reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen
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Chromium
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Decorative, hardener/(steel) housing
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Ulcers, convulsions, liver and kidney damage, strong allergic reactions, asthmatic bronchitis, may cause DNA damage; a known human carcinogen
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Cadmium
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Battery, blue-green phosphor emitter/housing, PWB, CRT
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Pulmonary damage, kidney disease, bone fragility; reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen
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Mercury
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Batteries, switches/housing, PWB
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Chronic brain, kidney, lung, and fetal damage; increases in blood pressure and heart rate, allergic reactions, effects on brain function and memory; a possible human carcinogen
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Arsenic
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Doping agents in transistors/PWB
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Allergic reactions, nausea, vomiting, decreased red and white blood cell production, abnormal heart rhythm; inorganic arsenic is a known human carcinogen
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Silica
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Glass, solid state devices/CRT, PWB
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Respirable-size crystalline silica can cause silicosis, emphysema, obstructive airway disease, and lymph node fibrosis; a known human carcinogen
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Sources: Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation (MCC), 1996; Electronics Industry Environmental Roadmap, Austin, TX (MSS); Poison PCs/Toxic TVs, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, 2001; ATSDR ToxFAQs, 1995-2001; National Toxicology Program 9th Report on Carcinogens, 2001
*Plastics contain polybrominated flame retardants, and hundreds of additives and stabilizers not listed separately.
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