Laptops UK
 
 
Greenpeace Tests Laptops
Thu, 01 Nov 2007
Greenpeace is currently testing laptops as part of an investigation looking into the presence of toxic materials in technological devices. Following a recent attack on the Apple iPhone for containing chlorinated plastic polyvinyl chloride and brominated flame retardants, Greenpeace bought 18 laptops from major worldwide brands including HP, Dell Sony, Acer, Apple and Toshiba .

PVC was found in 44% of all plastic coating internal wires and external cables, whilst bromine was also present in over 40% of components, with Dell computers the worst offenders. Overall, Sony laptops were found to be the greenest, though HP, Dell and Acer fared less than impressively with the materials found across their products.

After the Restriction of Certain Hazardous Substances (ROHS) was introduced, there has been a vast reduction in the presence of lead, mercury and brominated flame retardants, amongst other materials, in laptops.

As with the Greenpeace findings with the iPhone, although these materials are concerning, customers should perhaps not be too afraid. Whilst it would be preferable for laptops not to contain these materials, they still pass EU safety standards and as such can be said to not pose a significant danger to people. Furthermore, for every component found to contain harmful materials, another component is free of such materials.