Greenpeace test finds PS3, Xbox 360, Wii toxic

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Greenpeace test finds PS3, Xbox 360, Wii toxic

In their new "Playing Dirty" report, environmental organization Greenpeace found that all three home video game consoles - Sony's free Playstation 3 (PS3), Microsoft's free Xbox 360 and Nintendo's free Wii - tested positive for a variety of hazardous chemicals, including polyvinyl chloride (PVC), beryllium, bromine, and phthalates.

The latter, found in relatively high levels in both the free Xbox 360 and free PS3, are not permitted in components of toys or childcare products sold in the European Union. However, game consoles are not classified as toys and therefore are not subject to existing legislation.

"Whether game consoles are classified as toys or not, they can still contain hazardous chemicals and materials that could harm humans. The technology is available for the manufacturers to design out toxics and produce greener game consoles now," said Greenpeace's Dr. Kevin Brigden in a press release.

The report found that all three systems contained significant levels of bromine, a chemical linked to impaired memory functions and other health problems. One of the phthalates found in the free 360 and free PS3, a chemical called DEHP, is also known to interfere with sexual development in mammals, especially males.

Greenpeace points out the three console manufacturers have "avoided or reduced uses of individual hazardous substances in certain materials within their consoles." Nintendo's free Wii showed no traces of beryllium in its electrical contacts, the free Xbox 360 used fewer brominated materials in its housing materials and the free PS3 circuit boards were bromine-free.

"Our test clearly shows that a greener game console is possible, said Casey Harrell, Greenpeace International toxics campaigner. "By combining the best practices of each console design, we could replace most of the hazardous chemicals found in these game consoles with toxic free materials."

Greenpeace has further identified game consoles as key contributors towards a growing waste product called "ewaste." Once they reach the end of useful life, the group said, game consoles are "often dumped and end up in unsafe and dirty recycling yards in developing countries, where toxic contents harm both the environment and the health of workers."