According to new research into chemical residue found in the dust collecting on computers and other electronics devices, the PC that you're using to read this story could pose a long-term threat to your health.

In a report published by Clean Production Action and the Computer TakeBack Campaign, two groups studying environmental and health issues related to computers, researchers contend that potentially dangerous elements of brominated fire retardants are turning up in dust samples swiped from computers. The research indicates that the most commonly found example of these substances, widely used fire prevention compounds known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs, have been found to cause health problems in lab animals.

Perhaps of greater concern is the report's contention that PBDEs, which have been shown to present reproductive and neurological risks to animals used in lab tests, remain persistent in the environment and contaminate food supplies, animals and humans. The researchers claim that the PBDE threat is greatest in North America, where women were found to have the highest levels of the chemicals present in their breast milk, and that PBDE levels are doubling in the U.S. population every two to five years.

The flame retardants are found not only in computers, but also in other commonly used electronics devices, including televisions and radios. In addition, while the substances have been linked to health issues in animals, there has been no definitive research proving their danger to humans.

The PBDE report arrives at a time when PC companies have been increasing efforts aimed at recycling old computing gear. Though the potentially toxic elements have been found at comparable levels in similar tests of other consumer electronics, and though it is recognized that devices such as cathode-ray tube televisions may pose even greater risks to the environment, the researchers said they targeted computers because of the rapid build-up of PCs in U.S. landfills.

Limited recycling thus far

Even though Dell, Hewlett-Packard and IBM--the world's three largest PC manufacturers, collectively shipping about 60 million units in 2003, according to IDC--all offer PC recycling programs, the number of PCs they recycle is still relatively low, analysts say. And there's a growing backlog to contend with: The Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that the number of computers to be thrown out over the five years between 2002 and 2007 will reach 250 million.

PC market leader Dell, which shipped nearly 26 million computers in 2003, said last year that out of all the machines it has delivered since establishing its first recycling program 12 years ago, only 2 million PCs have been recycled. Last month, Dell announced plans to increase the amount of materials it collects by 50 percent, by weight, during fiscal 2005. Dell said that during its fiscal 2004, which ended Jan. 30, it collected 35 million pounds of computer gear for recycling.

Company officials were quick to point out that Dell has prohibited the use of PBDEs in any of its products since 2002, and they said that the PC maker has worked closely with groups such as the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, a backer of the report, to help promote increased computer recycling. Bryant Hilton, a spokesman for Dell, said the company's goal is to make recycling programs more affordable and accessible to consumers.

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I knew it.

Now even dust bunnies (not to be confused with Fluffybunny) are hazardous to your health.

Oh well, might as well light up a cig and pour myself another drink and enjoy what is left of my life as I am surrounded by killer computers.

All fun aside, it is an interesting artical. But it also demonstrates that they put stuff on the market before knowing the real hazards to human and animal health.
I would suggest a good cleaning of your computer in the future. I have a guy who comes by each month and vacums my CPU cases for dust, only cuz I'm a clean freak.

I think though that it'd be rather hard for that stuff to actually make you sick. I mean how is the dust coming from inside the computer and other appliances? I'm sure it's from more then just those. However there are definitly worse hazards to our health out there, such as Micheal Jackson (whacked out pedophile), Britney Spears (crappy music), and aireheads like Jessica Simpson.

Frankly though, I think it just stimulates my allergies *sneezes and whipes snot of the monitor*
Sorry, hope I didn't spray any of you out there.

Thanks for the article Starlyte. My computer is very dusty at the moment. From now on I will keep it sparkling clean.

Tis a sad sad day when the geeks of this world are no longer safe from computer dust.

cleaning does solve some problem with electrical appliances i have a dvd player and it didn't work i gave it a clean and it worked after that.