Games console makers are lagging behind PC manufacturers in
removing toxic materials from their products.
Gaming giants like Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony have yet to drop
toxic substances such as brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and PVC
from their products.
Environmental charity
Greenpeace says Sony has in large part removed these chemicals
from products such as the Vaio laptop, acknowledging that they are
hazardous, but it has no plans to drop them from the
Playstation.
Microsoft has pledged to remove the chemicals from its games
consoles, but not until 2011.
Greenpeace said Nintendo has a "vague plan" to remove PVC but no
commitment to a specific date.
Greenpeace publishes its
Guide to Green Electronics every three months, which aims to
encourage manufacturers to remove toxic substances from products.
The hazardous substances cause damage to the environment during the
manufacturing stage, while the products are being used and
especially during disposal.
Many electronic goods can be
illegally dumped in Africa and Asia. The toxic chemicals in
many of them can harm the people who search the dumps for valuable
materials.