Already known for shining a toxic spotlight on environmentally-unfriendly consumer electronics and computer manufacturers, ever present eco-warrior organisation Greenpeace has now turned its planet-saving attention to the videogame hardware industry.
Videogame consoles are toxic claims eco-warrior organisation Greenpeace. Image: Greenpeace.
According to lab analysis published in its new ‘Playing Dirty’ report, Greenpeace offers that while Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft promise consumers access to a whole new generation of gaming through their latest home consoles, “it’s the same old story” when it comes to discovering that the Wii, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 all tested positive for a variety of hazardous chemicals.
“Ironically, despite being used for playing games, game consoles are not classified as toys,” outlines the report. “If they were, existing EU legislation concerning the use of hazardous chemicals in toys and childcare articles would mean that these game consoles simply couldn’t be sold at all in the EU market.”
Potentially harmful chemicals and materials uncovered by the report included aspolyvinyl chloride (PVC), phthalates, beryllium and bromine indicative of brominated flame retardants (BFRs).
However, while all three of the major videogame console creators were negatively highlighted for chemical use during the manufacturing process, Greenpeace also conceded that -- separately -- each scrutinised machine showed encouraging signs of avoiding or reducing certain hazardous substances.
For instance, Nintendo did not use beryllium in the electrical contacts of its Wii and also restricted use of PVC and phthalates. Similarly, the PlayStation 3 included bromine-free circuit boards, and the Xbox 360 used a reduced amount of brominated materials in its housing. Despite the individual reductions, Greenpeace would like to see the industry heavyweights banding together in an eco sense for the sake of the greater good.
“As we’ve seen previously -- with laptops and with mobile phones -- if manufacturers only looked at each other’s products, they’d quickly see ways of replacing their own dirty components with toxic-free materials,” said Greenpeace. “A greener, cleaner game console is possible. There’s no excuse for playing dirty.”
In transferring the discovered chemical elements into associated health risks, Greenpeace points out that BFRs “do not break down easily” and build up throughout the environment, with long-term exposure leading to learning difficulties, problems with memory function, behavioural issues, and interference with thyroid and oestrogen systems. Also, the DEHP phthalate -- found in both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 -- can interfere with sexual development in humans, especially males.
Calling for all electronics manufacturers -- not just videogame console makers -- to apply available technology to “design out” harmful toxic substances and produce cleaner devices, Greenpeace says it’s time for the industry to play fair.
Those consumers looking to leave their mark on the issue of harmful chemicals in videogame consoles should visit the ‘Clash of the Consoles’ site and drop their own specific eco-bomb.
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