The Green Computer Myth: How Green are Green Computers?

Is "lead-free," "power savings" and a "take-back program" as good as it gets? A lot more can and is being done already. Computers with up to 97% less brominated flame retardants (BFRs), up to 97% less toxins and carcinogens, cleaner manufacturing.

Ann Arbor, MI (PRWEB) November 7, 2006

What exactly is a "green" computer? How green is it really? Is lead-free, some minor power savings, and a "take-back" program as good as it gets, as required by European RoHS regulations and the voluntary EPEAT standard in the U. S.? Is that good enough? What more can be done already?

"Even so-called 'green computers' as listed on the official EPEAT website (www. epeat. net), still contain considerable amounts of toxic and carcinogenic substances," says Thomas Schramm, president of GreenMachineShop. com. "The components are usually not manufactured with the environment in mind."

Electronics, including computer electronics, contain considerable amounts of brominated flame retardants (BFRs), up to 1 ounce per computer motherboard. The used BFR, with the name TBBPA (Tetrabromobisphenol-A), is immunotoxic, hepatotoxic, neurotoxic, an endocrine disruptor, and can block the thyroid hormone receptor (http://www. cleanproduction. org/library/bfr_report_pages1-43.pdf (http://www. cleanproduction. org/library/bfr_report_pages1-43.pdf), page 19). Bisphenol-A, which can mimic estrogen, has recently been linked to prostate cancer and received national press this summer.

The typical PC component manufacturing process uses and releases toxins, carcinogens, paint and oil-based substances into the environment and residue of them remain in the computer while sitting next to you and gas-out, evaporating over time in the computer users office or home.

People with multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome (MCS) go to great lengths to shield themselves from those toxins. Some get physically ill within 15 minutes of sitting next to regular computer and they are not able to continue their work routine. Some MCS sufferers put computers in another room or build special enclosure of aluminum and glass just to stay away from these harmful substances.

What can those chemicals do to "normal" people?

Over 80 percent of the life-time energy consumption of a computer is already used before it sits next to us and does its job. True energy savings can only be achieved in two ways: first, slowing down the replacement cycle; and second, turning the computer off when it is not in use. Extending the replacement cycle by only one year can save about 20 percent or more of the lifetime energy use (electricity, manufacturing, shipping, etc.) of the computer.

To be able to extend the replacement cycle and still have a computer that is running as stable after five years as it was running when new requires components and engineering that plans for this longevity. That is how we select our motherboards. The greener manufacturing provides a better quality product which then in turn lasts longer. Usually computers are designed to run stable for two or three years and the replacement cycle is about four years.

The take-back programs do unfortunately not take back the toxins and carcinogens that have been released during manufacturing, in your house and then during recycling.

To be honest, the perfect green computer cannot be built just yet. However, GreenMachineShop. com is coming as close as possible. Our computers exceed EPEAT and ROHS requirements, come with a take-back program, including the replacement computer, and with a power consumption up to 10% below the industry average.

Additionally, the computers reduce brominated flame retardants by up to 97 percent, toxic and carcinogenic substances by up to 97 percent and noise up to 85 percent. For some people with MCS, this is just the difference they need. A client of ours can now work more than two hours straight, while before, she needed only 15 minutes exposure to a computer to fall too sick to work.

Computers start at $897 and are available online at www. greenmachineshop. com.

GreenMachineShop. com -- "Healthy Computing Through Environmental Responsibility" is a computer manufacturer and marketer that seeks to bring the highest quality and most ergonomic green PC solutions to computer users who care about their health, productivity and the environment. They are in preparations to have their computers listed in the EPEAT program. GreenMachineShop. com believes well designed tools and equipment can increase your physical and mental well being.

Contact: Thomas Schramm, 734-274-2444,

GreenMachineShop. com LLC, 3118 Tiger Lily Ct, Ann Arbor, MI 48103

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