Amsterdam, 20 May 2008, The Greenpeace scientific report “Playing Dirty” (1), released today, reveals that the world’s most popular game consoles, Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation 3 Elite (PS3) and Microsoft Xbox 360, tested positive for hazardous chemicals and materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), phthalates, beryllium and bromine indicative of brominated flame retardants (BFRs).
The three games console controllers - Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and Nintendo Wii - before the dismantling process begins.
With some differences in the amount of hazardous chemicals and
materials, all three manufacturers failed the green electronics
test set by Greenpeace. The report reveals, for both the Xbox 360
and PS3, some materials contained very high levels of phthalates
that are not permitted in components of toys or childcare articles
sold in the EU. One of the phthalates, DEHP, is known to interfere
with sexual development in mammals - including humans - especially
in males. The other phthalate, DiNP, found only in Xbox 360, is
prohibited from use in toys and childcare articles if children can
place them in their mouth (2).
"Whether game consoles are classified as toys or not, they can
still contain hazardous chemicals and materials that could harm
humans. The technology is available for the manufacturers to design
out toxics and produce greener game consoles now," said Dr. Kevin
Brigden, Greenpeace Science Unit.
All game consoles tested positive for various hazardous chemicals;
for example, high levels of bromine were found in the components of
all three, with the highest by weight levels of 13.8% and 12.5% in
the PS3 and the Wii respectively. But the tests also show that each
of the manufacturers has avoided or reduced uses of individual
hazardous substances in certain materials within their consoles. In
the Nintendo Wii, beryllium alloys were not identified in
electrical contacts, and the use of PVC and phthalates was found to
be limited. At the same time, the PS3 included examples of "bromine
- free" circuit boards, and the Xbox 360 had lower usage of
brominated materials within housing materials.
"Our test clearly shows that a greener game console is possible;
manufacturers just need to look "inside the box" of the competition
to see which of their own dirty components can be replaced with
toxic free materials." said Casey Harrell, Greenpeace International
Toxics Campaigner.
The game consoles market is one of the fastest growing in consumer
electronics with over 60 million sold and 14 percent growth last
year (3). They not only contain hazardous chemicals but also
contribute to the fastest growing type of waste - ewaste. Discarded
game consoles are often dumped and end up in unsafe and dirty
recycling yards in developing countries, harming the environment
and the health of workers.
End
Other contacts: Omer Elnaiem, Greenpeace International Communications, mobile + 31 615093589Casey Harrel, Greenpeace International Toxics Campaign in US, mobile + 1 415 307 3382 Dr. Kevin Bridgen, Greenpeace International Science Unit, mobile + +44 7968 844906Zeina AlHajj, Greenpeace International Toxics Campaign in Amsterdam, mobile +31 653128904John Novis, Greenpeace International Photo Desk +44 207 865 8230Maarten van Rouveroy, Greenpeace International Video Desk: +31 646 162 015
Notes: (1) www.greenpeace.org/consoles/playingdirty (2) DIRECTIVE 2005/84/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council can be found at: http://eurlex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2005:344:0040:0043:EN:PDF(3) Datamonitor, 2007. Summary. "Games Consoles: Global Industry Guide" Report. Publisher Datamonitor. August 2007. Accessed on the 10-01-08 via Report Buyer(4) For more information, visit http://www.greenpeace.org/consolesSummary of effect of chemicals, for more detailed analysis, visit http://www.greenpeace.org/consoles/playingdirty- PVC: can be a source of toxic and persistent chemicals when recycled or disposed of (e.g. by incineration or burning). Often requires the use of chemical additives, such as toxic phthalate plasticizers.- Phthalates: hormone disrupters, some are toxic to reproduction interfering with sexual development in mammals, especially in males-bromine: can be a source of toxic and persistent brominates chemicals when recycled or disposed of (e.g. by incineration or burning).- Beryllium: dusts and fumes produced by recycling or processing can lead to chronic beryllium disease (CBD), an incurable debilitating lung disease