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The entry titled "Greenpeace: Video game consoles could be hazardous to your health," and any of the comments about it.
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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.
Comments
By kreese31
May 21, 2008 7:00 AM | Link to this
get a real life, cause if you think that this report is going to change the trend of gaming cosoles, think again!!!
By How dumb
June 4, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
Note to self: Do not dismantle and then eat your Wii (you may get sick on the bad stuff inside…) Soooo is “Greenpeas” the new watchdawg group to try to save us from the big bullies that make us sick? I’m thinking they are the ones making me sick!