Which computer components contain toxins?
There are toxic substances in computer components, so old computers and computer waste should be handled with care. Recycling of old computers must take place carefully and within the Netherlands. IT Recycling is committed to this. In short, a business partner without worries. In concrete terms: your computer waste is recycled responsibly and environmentally friendly according to legal requirements. So be careful with computer waste. Always have it disposed of responsibly.
Below are some toxic substances in computer components that stand out the most.
This list is not exhaustive.
Want to know more about toxins in computer parts and computer waste?
Then check out BAN’s website.
That’s an organization that calls attention to the dangers of exporting old computers and computer waste: www.ban.org.
Phthalates
These are plasticizers for PVC and are used in various places in computers.
Over time, these substances disappear from PVC into the environment.
The more often children are exposed to certain phthalates, the more likely they are to develop asthma, hay fever and eczema.
Phthalates can possibly lead to liver tumors (this has been shown in animal experiments).
Brominated flame retardants
Brominated flame retardants are often very persistent in the environment and accumulate in animals and humans.
Through discharges from production, they end up in water and sludge.
Fish ingest these toxins and store them in their adipose tissue.
Through fish, we ingest them.
Ingestion of these toxins also occurs directly through leakage of small amounts from products containing them.
Disruption of brain development
According to researchers, brominated flame retardants can mimic the action of thyroid hormone.
This hormone determines brain development in fetuses.
Brominated flame retardants can interfere with motor development or cause memory and learning problems.
They can also enhance the action of cancer-causing chemicals.
Synthetic musks
These are chemical fragrances for which there is strong evidence that they mimic and interfere with sex hormones.
We ingest them through our skin, which easily absorbs them from perfumes and aftershaves, for example.
Musks include for example: galaxolide (HHCB), tonalide (AHTN), musk ambrette (MA), musk ketone (MK), musk tibetene (MT), musk xylene (MX), Traseolide (ATII), Celestolide (ADBI), Phantolide (AHMI) and Cashmeran (DPMI).
The long-term effects of musk compounds on humans are still largely unknown.
Since synthetic musks involve exactly the same disrupted hormone system as phthalates, the following effects can be expected: fusion of reproductive organs, deterioration of sperm quality and the like.
Cancer
According to 1999 research, the reproduction of frogs became disrupted by degradation products of musk-xylene and musk-ketone.
Long-term research showed that musk-xylene in high concentrations causes cancer in mice.
Musk compounds dissolve well in fat.
Once released into the environment, they accumulate in the adipose tissue of fish and other aquatic organisms.
Musks appear to inhibit the detoxification system of mussels (the immune system, as it were).
This makes these organisms more susceptible to damage from toxins.
Possibly the immune systems of other organisms and humans are also damaged.
Alkylphenols
Sex change in fish
Alkylphenols accumulate in the environment.
They are particularly notorious for their endocrine disrupting effects.
This has been particularly demonstrated in fish and can lead to sex changes such as feminization.
In the testes of male fish, researchers found cells producing eggs.
Alkylphenols can pass through the placenta; they have been found in the umbilical cords of babies, and APEOs are found in breast milk.
This harmful effect of alkylphenols has been known for a long time.
This is why the OSPAR countries, 15 European countries and the EU, decided back in 1992 to ban their use from 1995 in consumer cleaning products.
In industrial detergents from 2000.
It is just not clear to what extent this decision has actually been implemented.
Organotin compounds
This is a group of organic compounds that contain the metal tin.
For example, TBT and TPT are organotin compounds.
TBT causes adverse effects in humans and animals even in small amounts.
According to research, the hormone balance of shellfish such as the whelk becomes seriously disturbed.
In rats, organotin compounds increased the risk of miscarriages.
In England, researchers observed formation of a penis in female purple snails.
Metals in computers
Furthermore, computers contain the following metals, among others:
Copper (Cu)
Long-term exposure to copper can cause irritation to the nose, mouth and eyes, and it causes headaches, abdominal pain, dizziness, vomiting and diarrhea.
Intentionally high intakes of copper can cause liver and kidney damage and even death.
It is not yet clear whether copper is carcinogenic.
Aluminum (Al)
Aluminum ions can enter the body through various routes, such as during breathing, eating and drinking.
Exposure to high concentrations of aluminum ions over long periods of time can cause disorders of the nervous system, such as various forms of dementia, (temporary) memory loss, shakiness and lethargy.
Phosphorus (Si & P)
Increased phosphorus concentrations in surface waters increase the growth of phosphate-dependent organisms such as algae and duckweed.
These organisms use large amounts of oxygen and prevent sunlight from entering the water.
As a result, the water becomes unlivable for other organisms.
This is also known as eutrophication.
Lead (Pb)
Lead and lead compounds are known for their toxicity and environmental hazards.
Ecotoxicologically important are especially lead (II) salts and organo lead compounds.
Lead salts fall under water hazard class 2 (WKG = Wassergefährdungsklasse) and are thus water hazardous.
This also applies to lead compounds such as lead acetate, lead oxide, lead nitrate and lead carbonate.
Lead interferes with chlorophyll synthesis in plants which, however, can accept fairly high levels of lead in the soil, up to 500 ppm.
At higher concentrations, plant growth is affected.
Lead can thus enter the food chain and is therefore prohibited in pesticides, among other things.
Tin (Sn)
Ingestion of tin compounds can have both acute and long-term effects.
Acute effects are:
- Eye and skin irritations;
- Headache;
- Abdominal pain;
- Nausea and dizziness;
- Sweating heavily;
- Breathlessness;
- Peeing problems.
Long-term effects are:
- Depression;
- Liver damage;
- Poor functioning of the immune system;
- Chromosomal damage;
- Red blood cell deficiency;
- Brain damage (causing anger, sleep disorders, forgetfulness and headaches).
Iron and Steel (Fe)
Iron can cause various diseases when it enters the tissue and remains there.
Silver (Ag)
Excessive chronic exposure to compounds of silver in the organs can cause the following effects in laboratory animals:
- Damage to kidneys, eyes, lungs, liver and brain;
- Edema.
Excessive chronic exposure to silver or silver compounds can cause the following effects in humans:
- Cardiac arrhythmias;
- Permanent brain damage and nervous system damage;
- Potentiation of the action of neurotoxins already present in the body, resulting in severe nerve damage.
Gold (Au)
Inhalation exposure effects: may cause irritation with prolonged exposure or exposure to large amounts.
- If swallowed: no effects.
- Skin: may cause irritation and allergic reactions.
- Eyes: may be irritating.
Tantalum (Ta)
Causes eye and skin irritation.
Material irritates mucous membranes and upper respiratory organs.
When rats ingest high doses, wounds develop in the lungs.
Mercury
Organok mercury compounds such as methylmercury are much more harmful than metallic mercury.
With prolonged exposure to low amounts of organok mercury (0.05 mg/day or more), the following effects may occur in adults:
- Blurred vision;
- Fatigue;
- Deafness;
- Paralysis;
- Coma;
- Death.
In the 1950s, Japan suffered from the effects of mercury poisoning from eating fish.
This was known as Minamata disease.
In the 1972s and 1973s, the disease occurred in Iraq, where people were hospitalized after consuming grain contaminated with mercury compounds.
For fetuses, mercury is dangerous if the mother is exposed to 0.05 mg of organok mercury per day.
As a result, the child may experience mental retardation and lowered learning ability.
Mercury compounds can also alter hereditary material.
Allergic reactions to mercury are known to include fatigue, eye and respiratory irritation and headache.
By recycling them, you are being environmentally conscious and ensuring a clean future for the Netherlands.