AG Neovo F-419 Manual De Usuario

Fax: +46 8 782 92 07

Email (Internet): development@tco.se

Current information regarding TCO'99 approved and labeled products may also be obtained via the

Internet, using the address: http://www.tco-info.com/

Environmental requirements

Flame retardants

Flame retardants are present in printed circuit boards, cables, wires, casings and housings. Their

purpose is to prevent, or at least to delay the spread of fire. Up to 30% of the plastic in a computer

casing can consist of flame retardant substances. Most flame retardants contain bromine or chloride,

and those flame retardants are chemically related to another group of environmental toxins, PCBs.

Both the flame retardants containing bromine or chloride and the PCBs are suspected of giving rise to

severe health effects, 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.

The relevant TCO'99 demand requires that plastic components weighing more than 25 grams must not

contain flame retardants with organically bound bromine or chlorine. Flame retardants are allowed in

the printed circuit boards since no substitutes are available.

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. The relevant TCO'99

requirement states that batteries, the colour-generating layers of display screens and the electrical or

electronics components must not contain any cadmium.

Mercury**

Mercury is sometimes found in batteries, relays and switches. It damages the nervous system and is

toxic in high doses. The relevant TCO'99 requirement states that batteries may not contain any

mercury. It also demands that mercury is not present in any of the electrical or electronics components

associated with the labeled unit.

CFCs (freons)

The relevant TCO'99 requirement states that neither CFCs nor HCFCs may be used during the

manufacture and assembly of the product. CFCs (freons) are sometimes used for washing printed

circuit boards. CFCs break down ozone and thereby damage the ozone layer in the stratosphere,

causing increased reception on earth of ultraviolet light with e.g. increased risks of skin cancer

(malignant melanoma) as a consequence.

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. The relevant TCO´99 requirement permits the

inclusion of lead since no replacement has yet been developed.

Bio-accumulative is defined as substances which accumulate within living organisms

Lead, Cadmium and Mercury are heavy metals which are Bio-accumulative.