Environmentally Friendly Computers and Chemical Sensitivities

Posted on September 10th, 2007 in chemical sensitivities, computers and internet, electronics, environment, health and wellness by Thomas

Their computer is a really good way for many people who suffer from to stay in touch with the outside world. Additionally it can be used to make money, as leaving the house can be quite a challenge.

Unfortunately, almost all contain numerous , that make it very difficult for people with to use them at all or over longer periods of time.

These toxins and carcinogens affect all computer users. The big difference is, a person with chemical sensitivities has an , many times instantly, to these substances.

“Healthy” people are affected, too. Symptoms could range from “almost nothing”, “a tad more tired” in the evening after working a day in front of the computer, to “a more severe cold” instead of a lighter one.

Now, What Triggers the Reactions?

1. (BFR), (TBBPA)
Brominated flame retardants are used, in the form of (TBBPA), on the electronics to avoid the spread of fire. Previously they were also widely used in the plastic parts of computer cases and keyboards.

Many people with tell us that they are allergic to those. TBBPAs are chemically bound in the epoxy, but small amounts of the substance seem to actually gas out. It seems even very low levels can affect people with [tag-ice]chemical sensitivities[tag-ice].

2. Plasticizers
These substances are unregulated. Most of them are likely “gassing out”, adding to the substance mix around the computer.
If a plastic is getting brittle or less flexible over time, it has been out-gassing.

3. Toxic and Carcinogenic Manufacturing Residue
These are the most underreported and unregulated substances in a computer. The biggest culprit seem to be the substances used during the soldering process of the electronics. The solder flux/washing solution leave a slightly “greasy” look and feel on electronics.

These substances can contain carcinogenic and toxic substances. Soldering waste is hazardous waste in some countries, but not in most countries where electronics are actually manufactured.

Read the article “Toxic and Carcinogenic Chemicals in Computers” for more information.

What Can Be Done?

Reducing and/or partially eliminating all of the above seems to make the computer acceptable for most of the chemical sensitivities sufferers.

Environmentally friendly computers reduce brominated flame retardants and the toxic and carcinogenic substances by over 95%. The reductions combined with optimized electromagnetic shielding, low noise levels and ergonomic design make these computers usable for people with chemical sensitivities out of the box or within days of unpacking.


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Digital Data Storage for a Lifetime – or Not?

Posted on July 9th, 2007 in computers and internet, printer and copiers, storage by Thomas

Even so and manufacturers claim that CDs and DVDs last for 100 years, but who has the ideal temperature of 74°F/25° C and 50% humidity in their office at all times. A more realistic number is probably 5 to 10 years, especially if the CD is being labeled or written on. The reflective surface of the disc is deteriorating and cannot be read by the laser in the drive.

What other options are there?

are lasting longer now than they did 10 or 20 years ago. But after 5 years there is no guarantee that the data can still be retrieved. For short term hard drives offer a fast and simple solution.

, some of them come with 30 year warranty, provide long term data stability and ease-of-use. They have to protected against power surges (lightning).

, as used in digital cameras, use the same technology to store data as the USB sticks. Make sure to use the ones labeled “SLC” (Single-Level-Cell) as opposed to “MLC” (Multi-Level-Cell). The SLC cards can handle up to 100,000 re-write cycles.

The good old tape is usually good for about 30 years. If you have a lot of data you want to preserve for a long time, home or office. Tape is still a good choice.

Paper and micro-film are made for real long term solutions, however doesn’t store movies and pictures. As long as the paper is free of wood and non-acidic, it can last for centuries.


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Computer Takeback and Recycling

Posted on June 10th, 2007 in computers and internet, environment, recycling by Thomas

Not only big companies like Dell and HP can offer and programs for computers. It is possible for small companies, too.

What makes the most sense?

If there is a local program in your community available it makes most sense to take the computer there instead of shipping computers across the country. Even if there is a fee, it is better to take it there. That’s why GreenMachineShop is honoring the receipt of the local .

If there is no local program, we’ll pay for shipping to get the computer to a qualified recycling organization.

3 Reasons why it is important to start out with a high quality and :

  • higher quality lasts longer
  • higher quality operates more stable, less crashes, etc.
  • a green computer is easier to recycle as there are less toxins in it

There are “different shades of green”. Read some of the earlier blog posts to find out the differences.


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Zero Carbon Initiative by Computer Maker

Posted on June 5th, 2007 in computers and internet, energy, environment, health and wellness by Thomas

Todd Woody of the Green Wombat blog reports that Dell announced today their .

Flowing with the “green word of the day”, in this case “” and “” is the easy step to take. Follow the flow, instead of being ahead or creating the flow.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think it is a bad thing to work on the “zero carbons”.

But, is it enough? Even close?

Computer and electronics manufacturing is usually a “dirty business”. Toxic and causing substances are used and released into the environment during the manufacturing process. Those very same substances are also left as residue on the components. They gas out while in your office or home.

Many people, especially those with can tell you what happens to them when they are exposed to a computer manufactured in this conventional way.

The toxic and carcinogenic substances are additionally a problem later, when the computer is decommissioned and needs to be recycled, dismantled, etc.

The commonly used flame retardant () is not regulated anywhere and has recently been linked to prostate cancer, obesity, and other diseases. See our other blog entries for more information.

If you feel tired after working all day with your computer, this is a combination of

  • from your computer, cell phone, etc. draining your body’s energy field
  • outgassing of toxic and [tag-tec]carcinogenic[tag-tec] substances. Your body has to spend energy to get rid of them. That’s energy you could spend on something else, like work, and if your work is not fun, on fun stuff.
  • noise. Constant background drains your energy level, too.
  • ergonomic problems. Non , wrong position of monitor, keyboard and mouse, create and deplete your body. A tense neck/shoulder area has caused many .

The technology to avoid or reduce those factors significantly, by 80%, 90%, 97%, has been around for many years.

To find out more about the toxins and cancer causing substances, how to get around noise and improve the ergonomics of your workstation setup, subscribe to our Free E-Class “Secrets of Healthier & Greener Computing”.


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