Their computer is a really good way for many people who suffer from Multiple-Chemical-Sensitivity Syndrome 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 computers contain numerous toxic and carcinogenic substances, that make it very difficult for people with chemical sensitivities 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 allergic reaction, 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. Brominated Flame Retardants (BFR), Tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA)
Brominated flame retardants are used, in the form of Tetrabromobisphenol-A (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 Multiple-Chemical-Sensitivity Syndrome 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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A “Computer Manufacturer” is merely a computer assembler, basically all “waste” at the manufacturer is packaging materials, and maybe some product that showed up from the manufacturer and doesn’t work and is not worth repairing.

The manufacturing of the electronics, enclosures, etc. usually happens in plants that are not regulated by environmental manufacturing processes. They manufacture components that fulfill regulations in the destination country, but the way how they are manufactured is not regulated.

So what does it mean?
Not Much.
Alright, the heavy metals are gone. They use lead-free solder.

But what else?

If a manufacturer announces that they comply to ROHS (Restriction on Hazardous Substances) and WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) directive, or the newer EPEAT, which is kind of a combination of the two, what does it mean?

None of those directives regulates any of the toxic and carcinogenic substances commonly used in electronics manufacturing. Also, they regulate waste treatment after the end of product life, not waste treatment of the manufacturing process.

Complying with environmental regulations is easy when most of the substances are not regulated. In most places in the world, manufacturing is “easy” … all the toxic stuff just blows out into the air, seeps into the ground, or ends up in surface landfills.

To find out more about the toxins and cancer causing substances used in computers, and how you can avoid most of them, sign up for our Free E-Class “Secrets of Healthier Computing”

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Reuters reported in June ‘06 that Dr. Paolo Rossini of Fatebenefratelli hospital in Milan and colleagues used Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or TMS to check brain function while people used cell phones.

They found that the motor cortex (part of the brain) next to the area where the phone is showed excitability that lasted for about 1 hour until it subsided. Excitable means “it can cause a muscle twitch”.

The researchers say “this does not mean that using a cell phone is bad for the brain in any way”, but obviously they are not so sure about people with certain conditions, like epilepsy.

Let me ask you:
Is it possible that it affects all of use, some people, might have a “visible” reaction to it, for all the others it just increases their stress level and depletes their energy until it is just too much and something else triggers a visible result, maybe even a brain tumor.

Quantum physics talks about the butterfly effect, how a butterfly in New Zealand can be the “last drop” that’s needed to create a hurricane in Mexico. Isn’t it time all scientists all sit together?

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