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Current information regarding TCO'99 approved and labelled products may
also be obtained via the Internet, using the address:
http://www.tco-info.com/
TCO'99 is a co-operative project between
Environmental Requirements
Brominated flame retardants
Brominated flame retardants are present in printed circuit boards, cables, wires,
casings and housings. In turn, they delay the spread of fire. Up to thirty percent
of the plastic in a computer casing can consist of flame retardant substances.
These are related to another group of environmental toxins, PCBs, which are
suspected to give rise to similar harm, including reproductive damage in fisheating
birds and mammals, due to the bio-accumulative* processes. Flame retardants
have been found in human blood and researchers fear that disturbances in foe-
tus development may occur.
TCO'99 demand requires that plastic components weighing more than 25 grams
must not contain organically bound chlorine and bromine.
Cadmium**
Cadmium is present in rechargeable batteries and in the colourgenerating layers
of certain computer displays. Cadmium damages the nervous system and is
toxic in high doses.
TCO'99 requirement states that batteries may not contain more than 25 ppm
(parts per million) of cadmium. The colour-generating layers of display screens
must not contain any cadmium.
Mercury**
Mercury is sometimes found in batteries, relays and switches. Mercury dam-
TCO '99
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