Game Consoles Contain Hazardous Chemicals

[captainspankypants]

Looks like the Xbox 360 and PS3 contain hazardous chemicals, according to Greenpeace (http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/news/game-consoles-no-consolation).

Nintendo’s Wii. Sony’s PlayStation 3 Elite. Microsoft’s Xbox 360. They promise a whole new generation of high-definition gaming, but when it comes to the crunch, it’s the same old story. As our search for greener electronics continues, it was time for the game consoles to go to our labs for scientific analysis – and all of them tested positive for various hazardous chemicals.Editor: What is the sound of no one caring?

[Grifter]

Editor: What is the sound of no one caring?
..........

[51|RandoM]

Name a piece of consumer electronics that does not contain potentially hazardous chemicals. I'll not hold my breath waiting.

[H.Bogard]

Name a piece of consumer electronics that does not contain potentially hazardous chemicals. I'll not hold my breath waiting.

Phantom!

words

[Purple Santa]

Name a piece of consumer electronics that does not contain potentially hazardous chemicals. I'll not hold my breath waiting.

We probably can't. Does that mean it shouldn't be brought to our attention?

[Zanzibar]

...then I won't eat mine.

Too bad, really.

[Haemorrhage]

I think there was a similar thread posted about 6 months ago when Greenpeace put a crazy video with the Master Chief, Mario and Kratos all warning about the environmental hazard caused by game consoles.

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ukoMEB_Wzbk&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ukoMEB_Wzbk&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

[Murtaug]

Did Mario just shit a mushroom?

[Telefrog]

Isn't this an old topic? Besides which almost every appliance in your house has chemicals and materials you shouldn't be exposed to for long periods.

[IrishWhiskey]

Name a piece of consumer electronics that does not contain potentially hazardous chemicals. I'll not hold my breath waiting.There is a big difference between "everything has something potentially hazardous" and "these devices are made of 70% Mercury, 20% Arsenic, and 10% Carcinogens". Especially as when this stuff is thrown out, byproducts will always find their ways into drinking water and our environment.

I'm glad Greenpeace is out there as a consumer watchdog. Of course as a watchdog they sometimes overreact or we promote a stricter view than we want or agree to. But its good someone is doing the job.

[jeffbax]

There is a big difference between "everything has something potentially hazardous" and "these devices are made of 70% Mercury, 20% Arsenic, and 10% Carcinogens". Especially as when this stuff is thrown out, byproducts will always find their ways into drinking water and our environment.

I'm glad Greenpeace is out there as a consumer watchdog. Of course as a watchdog they sometimes overreact or we promote a stricter view than we want or agree to. But its good someone is doing the job.

Exactly. 100% agreement. The greener the consoles get the better.

[court12b]

It's as if a million gamers said "meh" .... and were suddenly silenced.

[dr_wily]

Editor: What is the sound of no one caring?[/QUOTE]
Rude.

i care, and its sad that no one else does.

theres people wading in toxic filth in china pulling all the crap out of monitors and electronics for us. Not cool.

your regular everyday neighborhood spiderman says "recycle!" ;)

[Telefrog]

There is a big difference between "everything has something potentially hazardous" and "these devices are made of 70% Mercury, 20% Arsenic, and 10% Carcinogens". Especially as when this stuff is thrown out, byproducts will always find their ways into drinking water and our environment.

I'm glad Greenpeace is out there as a consumer watchdog. Of course as a watchdog they sometimes overreact or we promote a stricter view than we want or agree to. But its good someone is doing the job.

Great job. Are they hitting the refrigerators and ovens next? Those contain a Hell of a lot more hazardous materials than any game console.

[violentp]

I say we kill every member of Greenpeace. Problem solved.

[IrishWhiskey]

Great job. Are they hitting the refrigerators and ovens next? Those contain a Hell of a lot more hazardous materials than any game console.Are you joking?

They have criticized companies like GE many times before in the past for those products, which has lead to changes in production that reduced the number of pollutants without increasing production costs. Many companies are embracing green tech both in terms of harmful chemicals and energy use, both for efficiency and PR purposes. And the benefits of this green tech came about in part thanks to pressure and awareness brought about by groups like Greenpeace. This thing with consoles is a very minor recent action compared to their worldwide efforts. Seeing as no-one really brought up this topic before its worth addressing. That doesn't mean they are ignoring more serious pollutants and health risks to do so.

There is also the fact that some products are inevitably going to create far more toxic pollutants than others, and there isn't a solution that doesn't involve drastically raising costs. Which is why Greenpeace lobbies for reasonable measures in all sorts of devices, even small emitters like consoles. Because small measures across many small devices, is more practical than drastic measures in a few big ones.

[walkstheplanes]

I say we kill every member of Greenpeace. Problem solved.

You have my axe!

[Telefrog]

Blah, blah, blah...

<Snort>

Yes, I'm sure we'll be seeing some drastic changes in the materials console makers use any day now.

And you know what? I don't care. In fact, I'm printing a 232 page document right now, and when I'm done, I'll read the first four pages and shred it right afterwards.

I'm not going to put the shreddings into the recycling bin just for Greenpeace. They can eat me.

Edit:
http://i28.tinypic.com/wjhxm0.jpg
Here's a picture of the other end of my desk. I hope it gives Greenpeace a fit.

[jeffool]

Rude.

i care, and its sad that no one else does.

theres people wading in toxic filth in china pulling all the crap out of monitors and electronics for us. Not cool.

your regular everyday neighborhood spiderman says "recycle!" ;)As a gaming nerd I never thought I'd say this... "Dr. Wily is right."

Maybe people would care more if they knew about scary shit like this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pacific_Garbage_Patch).

[Sazime]

Things like lead and mercury are being used less and less in electronics. Check Newegg's tech specs some time, they'll tell you as much if the product is green.

If you don't think this is a big deal, think of this. In places like Thailand, where used monitors are routinely dumped, families use their cast iron cookware to melt lead (a cancer causing substance) out of the dead electronics to sell as scrap. They make their food in the same pots and pans because it's all they have or can afford.

So yeah, if you don't mind slowly killing the destitute, I guess it's ok...

[IrishWhiskey]

<Snort>

Yes, I'm sure we'll be seeing some drastic changes in the materials console makers use any day now.

And you know what? I don't care. In fact, I'm printing a 232 page document right now, and when I'm done, I'll read the first four pages and shred it right afterwards.

I'm not going to put the shreddings into the recycling bin just for Greenpeace. They can eat me.Wow. You are a tough manly man. Defying Greenpeace like that. You must have balls the size of a stallion. Teach me your ways of jaded indifference sensei, so I can be cool too.

Incidentally, isn't printer ink expensive?

[Telefrog]

Incidentally, isn't printer ink expensive?

Not when you sell it wholesale to the government. :D

[Karamazov]

Yeah, I'm sure their servers are all made out of 100% eco friendly bark and leaves.

Fucking terrorists.

[Isamura]

Not caring about harmful chemicals in our environment is a young man's sport.

[Squidbot]

The article was written on a environmentally friendly, bean juice powered PC.

[silv]

My macbook pro has a LED screen (friendlier than and does not contain mercury.

[fitbabits]

Game Consoles Contain Hazardous Chemicals
So does just about every household cleaner under the sinks of millions of houses.

[Telefrog]

Oh, and just to be clear, I'm not against "greener" appliances as a whole, but Greenpeace is just a bunch of attention whoring idiots.

Out of all the common appliances in the normal household to choose from, they decide to point out flaws in game consoles? Pffht! Let's see some progress on the very PC's people use to surf that report, the LCD screens they're reading it on, or the printers they're using to print it out.

[Isamura]

Oh, and just to be clear, I'm not against "greener" appliances as a whole, but Greenpeace is just a bunch of attention whoring idiots.

Out of all the common appliances in the normal household to choose from, they decide to point out flaws in game consoles? Pffht! Let's see some progress on the very PC's people use to surf that report, the LCD screens they're reading it on, or the printers they're using to print it out.

True, but without knowing the dangers of the chemicals in consoles vs. PCs, I can only speculate that maybe it has to do with consoles being more accessible to kids, since they typically play around the entertainment centers rather than a back office.

[Grifter]

True, but without knowing the dangers of the chemicals in consoles vs. PCs, I can only speculate that maybe it has to do with consoles being more accessible to kids, since they typically play around the entertainment centers rather than a back office.

If your kids are retarded enough to eat a game console then good riddance.

Oh, and just to be clear, I'm not against "greener" appliances as a whole, but Greenpeace is just a bunch of attention whoring idiots.

I agree with this statement so much it almost hurts.

I say we kill every member of Greenpeace. Problem solved.

See above

[dr_wily]

As a gaming nerd I never thought I'd say this... "Dr. Wily is right."

Maybe people would care more if they knew about scary shit like this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pacific_Garbage_Patch).

huzzah! thats going in the sig.

bleah, after reading the rest of the dissenters i have to say i have never seen such apathy and ignorance regarding green issues.

.. meh i had a whole thing written out.. not even worth posting to this crowd of losers.

[Isamura]

If your kids are retarded enough to eat a game console then good riddance.


Clearly a one year old child should know better than to not put their mouths on any electronic devices, right? :rolleyes:

[Grifter]

Clearly a one year old child should know better than to not put their mouths on any electronic devices, right? :rolleyes:

Explain to me then how a one year old is going actually ingest a gaming console. Also, if you're a parent with a one year old leaving "electronic devices" on the floor you are just as retarded and have no business procreating.

Do people even think before they type any more or are they so interested in one upping the guy they are replying to that the fear of sounding like a complete idiot has no bearing?

[IrishWhiskey]

If your kids are retarded enough to eat a game console then good riddance.I don't know, some kids can be really retarded.

Some are actually retarded enough to think that this issue is about kids eating consoles, rather than waste disposal.

[Grifter]

I don't know, some kids can be really retarded.

Some are almost retarded enough to think that this issue is about kids eating consoles, rather than waste disposal.

Read the post I was replying to...I know, I know, it's difficult to actually keep all these replies in context but did you notice the little quote boxes in some of the posts? Yeah, Ok those are the original posts that the post you are currently reading is replying to. What? still to complicate, that's OK not every one can have an IQ above 25 so tell you what why don't you go drink the yummy juice mommy keeps under the sink and leave the reading to the big kids.

[Crono]

This is what I love most about EvAv. If anyone says anything negative about games, they must be evil and retorted at rather than listened to and considered.

[LongStepMantis]

Remember everyone, friends don't let friends huff consoles. Thank you.

[mister_slim]

True, but without knowing the dangers of the chemicals in consoles vs. PCs, I can only speculate that maybe it has to do with consoles being more accessible to kids, since they typically play around the entertainment centers rather than a back office.

I would speculate that perhaps Greenpeace has been doing studies on PC chemical content for years and also that those studies would probably be the place to look for that information. Greenpeace might also have filed the PC toxin survey in with the study of perfume chemicals.

[51|RandoM]

We probably can't. Does that mean it shouldn't be brought to our attention?

It needs to be brought to your attention just as much as letting you know water is wet and the sky is often blue.

How often should we remind you of things that should be obvious in the first place?

[Magnanimous Gnome]

<Snort>

Yes, I'm sure we'll be seeing some drastic changes in the materials console makers use any day now.

And you know what? I don't care. In fact, I'm printing a 232 page document right now, and when I'm done, I'll read the first four pages and shred it right afterwards.

I'm not going to put the shreddings into the recycling bin just for Greenpeace. They can eat me.

Edit:
http://i28.tinypic.com/wjhxm0.jpg
Here's a picture of the other end of my desk. I hope it gives Greenpeace a fit.

Wow, you're a fucking tool.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

Not caring about harmful chemicals in our environment is a young man's sport.

Didn't you know? Once we finish trashing this planet (not far off) we can just go to another one. :rolleyes:

[Stupid Fat Hobbit]

I must point out, it's possible to be sympathetic to environmental issues and still think Greenpeace are a bunch of fearmongering shitfuckers.

[ResistanceAddict]

Do people even think before they type any more or are they so interested in one upping the guy they are replying to that the fear of sounding like a complete idiot has no bearing?

Best quote ever.

[MosBen]

Yup, topic where there's some imagined slight against out collective hobby and the yahoos come out to beat their chest and pound upon the ground.

[Johan]

Which is more dangerous to cook on, then? My 360, or Teflon? :D

[Grifter]

I must point out, it's possible to be sympathetic to environmental issues and still think Greenpeace are a bunch of fearmongering shitfuckers.

The only post in this thread worth reading.
Thank you.

[firecut]

Stop eating your PS3! Don't you know it contains hazardous chemicals!? :eek:

[Talanvor]

Remember kids, if you want to be cool, do your best to fuck up the enviroment and hate on everyone that actually gives a damn. Wanting to not turn the planet you live on into a huge shitball is for total idiots.

[Azrikam]

Oh, and just to be clear, I'm not against "greener" appliances as a whole, but Greenpeace is just a bunch of attention whoring idiots.

Ditto. I rank Greenpeace right up there with PETA in the list of "misguided fools who somehow got organised." I'm sure their intentions are good, but their methods are laughable and their focus on what they think is important is highly suspect.

[MacD]

What's interesting to me is the lie Greenpeace is spreading.

They do not have laboratories.

We once had a module on 'sustainability' where some Greenpeace people lectured and in the Q&A afterwards, that's one of the interesting things he mentioned. The other was that there are very few people in Greenpeace with any kind of technical knowledge. No biologists, chemists, physicists...the closest they came was a guy with a doctorate in aeronautical engineering. Greenpeace is a mere PR firm.
Whilst that's still an admirable objective, it does mean I have extreme reservations about damn near anything they say. Especially because it is the science which should inform the solution, and if they can't do the science, it's doubtfull they are the best people to trust to interpret and apply that knowledge to a workable solution.

[CES]

Europe is tackling this issue. We brought in the WEEE regulation that basically forces recycling of electronics. The burden of picking up and recycling the electronics also falls on the manufacturer of said electronics (you phone them, arrange a pickup and they remove the device) Of course, this only applies to electronics made after 2005, when the law was passed.

In other news: Greenpeace, still assholes.

[Isamura]

Explain to me then how a one year old is going actually ingest a gaming console. Also, if you're a parent with a one year old leaving "electronic devices" on the floor you are just as retarded and have no business procreating.

Actually, the wording I used was "slobber on", which implies that the console was sitting somewhere low such as on an entertainment stand. I think it's pointless explaining it to you, since I can already tell you're the type of aggitated person I'd just assume avoid.


Do people even think before they type any more or are they so interested in one upping the guy they are replying to that the fear of sounding like a complete idiot has no bearing?


Ironic post of the year in my book.

[MrBibbz]

Actually, the wording I used was "slobber on", which implies that the console was sitting somewhere low such as on an entertainment stand.

But if you have kids, you'd think parents would be bright enough to keep them away from places that can be dangerous, like said tv stand. I've seen a few tv stands topple over in my days due to the extra weight of the kid (luckily my sister escaped any injury).

Also, if you let your kid slobber all over a gaming console or dvd player you're seriously parenting wrong. Remotes I can understand but a device that would be almost as big as a toddler? Really bad parenting skills there.

[Sl1pstream]

your regular everyday neighborhood spiderman says "recycle!" ;)

While I agree on the recycling thing, I haven't thrown away a single console yet. How am I going to recycle things that I don't get rid of in the first place?

When I read this in a newspaper this week, my first reaction was that I saw this before. They've released the video with the mascots a few months ago. Did they do yet another research or is this just a press release to make people aware of the earlier tests they've done?

[CES]

Clearly a one year old child should know better than to not put their mouths on any electronic devices, right? :rolleyes:

Either 1: Move the console to where it can be gummed to death, 2: Put it in an entertainment case underneath the TV or 3 (my favourite): Be a decent parent and watch what your kid is doing.