According to Greenpeace, new game consoles produced by Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony are a “toxic menace”. The environmental group recently produced a report damning the physical construction of the consoles because of the hazardous chemicals they contain.
Greenpeace regularly reviews electronic manufacturers and their products and evaluates their environmental impact. Their regular report ranks electronic companies based on their greenness.
The report most recently ranked Nintendo as the worst console manufacturing company. Microsoft didn’t do much better and was third from the bottom. Sony, only slightly better, placed fourth from last.
The Greenpeace report is entitled “Playing Dirty.” It found that game consoles produced by Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony contain toxic materials such as aspolyvinyl chloride (PVC), phthalates, beryllium and bromine indicative of brominated flame retardants (BFRs). The report indicates that these chemicals have been linked with problems in sexual development and in memory.
Representatives from all three companies spoke with Reuters defending the safety of their products recently.
According to Greenpeace, the consoles are not only a problem while being used, but area toxic menace after they are discarded. Many consoles are sent to developing countries when they become outdated or contribute to a build up of waste in landfills.
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