Laptop and Computer Off-Gassing (Flame Retardants, PVC Cables, BFR Plastic Housing) — household safety profile
Moderate riskNew laptops and computers emit a characteristic 'new electronics smell' — a cocktail of volatile organic compounds including brominated flame retardants (BFRs), phthalate plasticizers from PVC cables, formaldehyde from adhesives, and styrene from ABS plastic housings.
What is this product?
New laptops and computers emit a characteristic 'new electronics smell' — a cocktail of volatile organic compounds including brominated flame retardants (BFRs), phthalate plasticizers from PVC cables, formaldehyde from adhesives, and styrene from ABS plastic housings. TBBPA (tetrabromobisphenol A) is the world's most-produced BFR — 170,000 tonnes/year — used in >90% of printed circuit boards. Dust samples from offices with computers contain 5-50x higher BFR concentrations than offices without. Laptops generate heat during use (CPU 60-100C surface), accelerating volatilization of semi-volatile flame retardants from the housing and keyboard. A Duke University study found TDCIPP and TCEP flame retardants in 100% of laptop dust samples tested. PVC cable insulation contains DEHP or DINP phthalates at 20-40% by weight.
What's in it
Click any compound name for its full safety profile, regulatory consensus, and exposure data.
Flame Retardant
Adhesive Emission
Plasticizer
Housing Material
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Open in home View raw API dataReference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific information. Why we built ALETHEIA →