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All the entries posted on May 20, 2008.
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Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Greenpeace: Video game consoles could be hazardous to your health
A new study out from environmental activist group Greenpeace claims that video game consoles - Nintendo’s Wii, Microsoft’s Xbox, Sony’s PS3 - contain high levels of bad chemicals that could pose health risks to you and your kids.
After taking apart and analyzing all three game boxes and their controllers, Greenpeace said it found that all of them contained polyvinyl chloride (PVC), phthalates, beryllium and bromine, which is indicative of brominated flame retardants (BFRs).
Xbox 360 and Sony’s PS3 could be the worst, according to Greenpeace, because they contained levels of phthalates that are even higher than are allowed in components of toys or childcare products sold in the European Union. One type of phthalates it found is known to interfere with sexual development in males, according to Greenpeace.
Along with posing health hazards, the chemicals in the game consoles hurt the earth when they’re thrown out in landfills, the group said.
Parker Brugge, vice president for environmental affairs for the Consumer Electronics Association, which represents the game makers, had this to say in a statement:
“Gaming console manufacturers and other consumer electronics companies have made significant progress in the reduction of hazardous materials in their products,” he said. “The industry continues to identify and implement best practices for consumer health and safety as well as environmental sustainability.
Brugge went on to say that the chemicals serve a purpose - flame retardant, for instance, make them safer, he said.
“Also, Greenpeace’s findings ignore the performance and potential impacts from whatever compounds are substituted,” he said. “Manufacturers are spending considerable time, effort and resources to develop and test the performance of these substitutes. “
Check out Greenpeace’s report here and make up your own mind.