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Is Your Computer Leaking Toxic Dust?
n0alpha writes "A recent study by scientists at the University of Washington suggests that computers emit dangerous chemicals. Specifically, chemicals called PBDEs (poly-brominated-diphyenyl ethers) found in the household dust that collects on your monitor and keyboard could pose a health threat. Scientists say the chemicals have caused developmental and learning defects in laboratory animals and may pose a threat to people and animals. 'It's critical we phase these materials out,' said Suellen Mele, Citizens for Resource Conservation. And some companies are doing just that."
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the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
First let me say that I'm not trying to insult you, but your comments show exactly why news like this turns into a shitstorm once it gets out that chemical X causes cancer and its being widely used.
And if chemicals are being emitted by every available surface, are any airborne, or do they need a carrier such as dust in order to travel?
"Chemicals being emitted" would imply that some sort of chemical reaction is occurring that is causing chemical X to be released. This is not the case here, what is there when you got the computer is all that is going to be there, ever.
Granted, with these particular chemicals, whatever you are exposed to remains in your system, forever.
If the resudue can be cleaned off of the parts, what is a safe cleaner to use on a motherboard?
The safety of any chemical is relative and has to do with amounts of exposure. Also keep in mind that by cleaning your electronics, you are not destroying the chemicals, you are just relocating them, possibly causing yourself exposure to a greater amount of the dust.
At least I am glad that I have already decided on an Antec server case which has air filters over the intake fans in the front. If I do find a way to clean off the mobo and other internal electronics, then I might be able to keep dust off of the inside of the case.
I know you have good intentions here, but there is no guarantee that said air filter will be able to filter some, if any, of these chemicals.
I know you want to protect your family and keep them from as much harm as possible, but keep in mind, simply going outside in a large city is likely to expose your family to many more toxic chemicals than while they are simply sitting next to a computer.
I find it interesting that this study comes out of Washington state - home of the evil empire (Microsoft).
Has anyone checked to see who funds the particular research department at this school, who funded this particular project, and how much, if any, funding Microsoft provides for that school in general? Also, is this funded by any hardware manufacturers? (Intel, AMD, etc...)
It would benefit these companies if all of us abandoned our old computers - many of which are enjoying second lives as Linux boxes - so their DRM technologies (in conjunction with the newest hardare that has circuitry to enable DRM) become ubiquitous - in addition to the added boost to sales.
I think I will delay the destruction of my old machines until all of the sceptics questions are answered.
Lodragan Draoidh
The more you explain it, the more I don't understand it. - Mark Twain
IHTBAC (I happen to be a chemist), so yes, I know what sublimation is. Do you know what it is?
You took my post as an insult, which is sad, as I was not trying to insult you. Nor was I suggesting that we all simply live with said chemical. I was merely trying to show that the masses reaction to such news is usually to go overboard (the sky is falling phenomenon).