Greenpeace has released the results of its analysis into hazardous materials in next-generation video game consoles. The study reveals that the Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation 3 Elite and Microsoft Xbox 360 have all tested positive for hazardous chemicals.

The analysis of these toxic materials — polyvinyl chloride (PVC), phthalates, beryllium and bromine, which is indicative of brominated flame retardants — are restricted in the organization’s new report, entitled “Playing Dirty,” and show that all three manufacturers losed out the green-electronics experiment established by Greenpeace.

“Whether game consoles are classified as toys or not, they can still contain hazardous chemicals and materials that could harm humans,” said Dr. Kevin Brigden of the Greenpeace Science Unit. “The technology is available for the manufacturers to design out toxins and produce greener game consoles now.”

Greener Game Consoles Possible

The report reveals that both the Xbox 360 and PS3 restricted very high levels of phthalates that are not permitted in

components of toys or childcare products sold in the European Union. One of the phthalates, DEHP, is known to interfere with sexual development in mammals — including humans, and particularly males. The other phthalate, DINP, found only in the Xbox 360, is prohibited from use in toys and childcare products in the European Union whether children can place them in their mouths.

All game consoles tested positive for various hazardous chemicals. For example, high levels of bromine were found in the components of all three, with the highest by weight levels in the PS3 and the Wii. But the tests additionally showed that each of the manufacturers avoided or reduced the use of individual hazardous substances in undoubtful materials within their consoles.

In the Nintendo Wii, beryllium alloys were not identified in electrical contacts, and the use of PVC and phthalates was determined to be limited. At the same…

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