Survey of chemical substances in consumer products, 66 – Emission and evaluation of chemical substances from selected electrical and electronic products - part 2

Emission and evaluation of chemical substances from selected electrical and electronic products - part 2

1 Description of the project

1.1 Purpose
1.2 Project phases

Electric and electronic products surround us in our every day life. Many of these become overheated – at least some single parts. Especially polymer materials (plastic, rubber, glue, and lacquer etc.) can emit organic fumes at heating. Emission is expected to be highest at the beginning of the product's period of use.

The primary exposure flow for this type of emission is via inhalation. Former tests have indicated that electrical products can emit substances that pose a risk for e.g. allergy, irritation of respiratory organs, hormone-disrupting impact etc.

Electrical and electronic products are so complex and contain many sub-components from hundreds of suppliers that a test of the finished products would be the only safe test method.

In order to provide more knowledge as to the problem's scope the Danish Environmental Protection Agency initiated a project in 2002, where selected products were tested for emission of different chemical substances (Survey no 32, 2003: "Emission and evaluation of chemical substances from selected electrical and electronic products, Survey no. 32 – 2003”. Present survey is a continuation of Survey no 32. In order to pass on the experiences from survey no 32 the Danish Environmental Protection Agency has requested that identical test methodologies and assessment criteria are used in the project at hand.

Based on the literature examination survey no 32 conclude that aldehydes and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) basically posed potential problematic emission from electronic products. Thus measurements for these substances were performed in the practical emission test.

The present survey has extended the measurement scope to include isocyanates, amines, aminoisocyanates, brominated flame retardants, and organic tin compounds as literature specifies these substances as potential emission from this type of product, which is supported by the project group's experience.

1.1 Purpose

It is the project's primary goal to extend the available knowledge on different product types' contribution to indoor climate pollution.

The survey will primarily document emission of health hazardous substances from selected electric and electronic products. If possible the emission must be quantified in order to assess the actual health risks. Furthermore, the difference in new and used (over a short period of 9 nine days) products will be tested.

1.2 Project phases

The project is divided into two phases. Phase 1 contains selection of products, selection of relevant substances, and completion of emission test. Phase 2 contains an assessment of possible health impacts.