HP, Apple laptops are not eco-friendly - Greenpeace report

BANGALORE: A Greenpeace study on 'Toxic Chemicals in Computers Exposed' has revealed the presence of toxic substances in well-known brand laptops, with HP and Apple having the highest contamination levels.

HP's statement on its website that brominated flame retardant (BFR) decaBDE had been removed many years ago from its products has proved to be a lie, as Greenpeace investigations found that this chemical is still present, a Greenpeace statement said.

According to the report, the HP laptop had high levels of a number of chemicals in its components, in particular the highest levels by far of PBDEs (a class of BFRs) including decaBDE, in the fan. Lead was also found in the soldering. At a concentration of 262 mg/kg, the Apple Macbook contained in the fan the highest level among the five brands tested of another type of toxic, BFR (TBBPA). Many of the chemicals found in the laptops, including lead, PVC and some BFRs, are hazardous to health and persist in the environment.

"During the sampling process it was remarkable to note that, whether Mac or PC, once you by-pass the sleek and cool design of these computers, hazardous substances are a component common to all", said Dr Kevin Brigden from the Greenpeace Research Laboratories who oversaw the sampling analyses and produced the report.

Greepeace said that HP's lie on its website has resulted in it being downgraded in the recently released 'Guide to Greener Electronics', a Greenpeace guide that ranks PC and mobile companies on their chemical and waste policies and practices.

"It is alarming to see top level companies moving down the ranking rather than moving forward in their commitments to eliminate toxic substances from their products," said Zeina Alhajj, Greenpeace International toxics campaigner. "HP has failed to live up to its commitments and is behind the times, and Apple, keen to promote its new Macbook and be shown as a progressive company on environmental issues, has now earned itself an image as an industrial dinosaur."

”With no global take back system fully functioning by the electronic companies, there is a high risk that these contaminated products will end up polluting the yards of China and India where many old computers are being dumped. BFRs, especially PDBEs, were widespread in the recycling yards and surrounding environment in China and India where electronics components are being scrapped. Lead was also found in many locations, often at very high levels," said Dr Brigden.

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