Greenpeace Says Toxins Make Game Consoles A 'Toxic Menace'
The use of hazardous chemicals and materials in electronic products is widespread, and game consoles contribute to that e-waste. According to the International Association of Electronics Recyclers, 2 million tons of electronic products are disposed of in the U.S. each year, a figure that includes 50 million computers and 130 million cell phones. By 2010, the IAER estimates that will rise to roughly 400 million electronic units annually.
That's the same year that Microsoft, maker of the Xbox, has committed to eliminate the use of PVCs and BFRs in its hardware; Nintendo has made a pledge to eliminate PVCs but has not released a timeline for doing so.
Greenpeace tested the gaming consoles of the three largest gaming manufacturers -- Nintendo's Wii, Sony's PlayStation 3 Elite, and Microsoft's Xbox 360 -- and published the results in its 23-page report, "Playing Dirty."
According to the report, the game consoles all contained high levels of bromine used in their circuit boards and plastic casings. "Brominated flame retardants do not break down easily and build up in the environment. Long-term exposure can lead to impaired learning and memory functions," according to Greenpeace's Web site. They can also interfere with thyroid and oestrogen hormone systems and exposure in the womb has been linked to behavioral problems. Components of the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation3 also contained high levels of phthalates, one of which -- DEHP -- is known to interfere with sexual development in mammals: including humans and, especially, males."
Consoles also created another hazard. "The toxic menace doesn't stop there," Greenpeace said. "Game consoles also contribute towards the fastest growing type of waste -- ewaste. Once they've reached the end of useful life, game consoles are often dumped and end up in unsafe and dirty recycling yards in developing countries, where toxic contents harm both the environment and the health of workers."
However, the report also noted that each of the manufacturers had avoided or reduced uses of individual substances in certain materials within their consoles. For example, beryllium alloys were not found in electrical contacts of the Wii, and the use of PVC and phthalates was found to be relatively limited. Additionally, the Sony Playstation PS3 included examples of 'bromine-free' circuit boards, and the Microsoft XBox 360 had lower usage of brominated materials within housing materials.
The gaming industry is a huge market. Last year, according to NPD Research, Nintendo DS sold 8.5 million units; Nintendo Wii sold 6.29 million; Xbox 360 sold 4.62 million; PlayStation 2 sold 3.97 million; PSP sold 3.82 million; PlayStation 3 sold 2.56 million and the Game Boy Advance sold 1.12 million.