ViewSonic VA503biiBelow you will find a brief summary of the ecological requirements met by this product. Thecomplete ecological criteria document can be found at TCO Development’s websitehttp://www.tcodevelopment.com or may be ordered from: TCO DevelopmentSE-114 94 STOCKHOLM, SwedenFax: +46 8 782 92 07E-mail: development@tco.seInformation regarding TCO’99 approved and labelled products may also be obtained at http://www.tcodevelopment.comEcological requirementsFlame retardants Flame retardants may be present in printed wiring board laminates, cables, and housings. Theirpurpose is to prevent, or at least to delay the spread of fire. Up to 30% by weight of the plasticin a computer casing can consist of flame retardant substances. Many flame retardants containbromine or chlorine, and these flame retardants are chemically related to PCBs(polychlorinated biphenyls). Both the flame retardants containing bromine or chlorine and thePCBs are suspected of giving rise to health effects, including reproductive damage in fish-eating birds and mammals, due to the bio-accumulative* processes when not disposed of inaccordance with strict standards for disposal.TCO’99 requires that plastic components weighing more than 25 grams shall not contain flameretardants with organically bound bromine or chlorine. Flame retardants are allowed in theprinted wiring board laminates due to the lack of commercially available alternatives.Cadmium**Cadmium is present in rechargeable batteries and in the colour-generating layers of certaincomputer displays. TCO’99 requires that batteries, the colour-generating layers of displayscreens, and the electrical or electronics components shall not contain any cadmium. Mercury**Mercury is sometimes found in batteries, relays and switches. TCO’99 requires that batteriesshall not contain any mercury. It also demands that mercury is not present in any of theelectrical or electronics components associated with the labelled unit. There is however oneexception. Mercury is, for the time being, permitted in the back light system of flat panelmonitors as there today is no commercially available alternative. TCO aims on removing thisexception when a mercury free alternative is available.Lead**Lead can be found in picture tubes, display screens, solders and capacitors. TCO’99 permitsthe use of lead due to the lack of commercially available alternatives, but in futurerequirements TCO Development aims at restricting the use of lead. * Bio-accumulative is defined as substances which accumulate in living organisms.**Lead, Cadmium and Mercury are heavy metals which are bio-accumulative.
