Amsterdam, International
Amsterdam, International — Greenpeace today released “Cutting Edge Contamination: A study of environmental pollution during the manufacture of electronic products” (1). The report shows that some of the electronics industries’ biggest brands, and their suppliers, are contaminating rivers and underground wells with a wide range of hazardous chemicals.
Analysis of samples taken from industrial estates in China, Mexico, the Philippines and Thailand, reveals the release of hazardous chemicals in each of the three sectors investigated: printed wiring board (PWB) manufacture, semiconductor chip manufacture and component assembly (2).
Most noteworthy was the discovery at the majority of sites investigated of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a group of brominated chemicals used as flame retardants, and of phthalates, chemicals used in a wide range processes and materials, though they are most commonly used as plasticisers (softeners) in some plastics (3).
“Over recent years we have seen an increasing concern over the use of hazardous chemicals in electronic products but attention has focussed on the contamination released during disposal or ‘recycling of electronic waste’”, said Dr. Kevin Brigden from the Greenpeace Research Laboratories. “Our findings of contamination arising during the manufacturing stage make it clear that only when we factor in the complete life cycle will the full environmental costs of electronic devices begin to emerge.”
MORE
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/press/releases/high-tech-industry-contaminati
Please also see:
Save the Whales http://whales.greenpeace.org
Amsterdam, International — Greenpeace today released “Cutting Edge Contamination: A study of environmental pollution during the manufacture of electronic products” (1). The report shows that some of the electronics industries’ biggest brands, and their suppliers, are contaminating rivers and underground wells with a wide range of hazardous chemicals.
Analysis of samples taken from industrial estates in China, Mexico, the Philippines and Thailand, reveals the release of hazardous chemicals in each of the three sectors investigated: printed wiring board (PWB) manufacture, semiconductor chip manufacture and component assembly (2).
Most noteworthy was the discovery at the majority of sites investigated of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a group of brominated chemicals used as flame retardants, and of phthalates, chemicals used in a wide range processes and materials, though they are most commonly used as plasticisers (softeners) in some plastics (3).
“Over recent years we have seen an increasing concern over the use of hazardous chemicals in electronic products but attention has focussed on the contamination released during disposal or ‘recycling of electronic waste’”, said Dr. Kevin Brigden from the Greenpeace Research Laboratories. “Our findings of contamination arising during the manufacturing stage make it clear that only when we factor in the complete life cycle will the full environmental costs of electronic devices begin to emerge.”
MORE
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/press/releases/high-tech-industry-contaminati
Please also see:
Save the Whales http://whales.greenpeace.org