Know your electronics and their chemicals Show
Devices in your home, like phones, computers, tablets, TV sets, game consoles and smart kitchen appliances, are made of hundreds of components and thousands of chemicals.
Some of the chemicals in electronics are toxic – substances like heavy metals, flame retardants, antistatic agents or plastic softeners, for example. But the key question is – are you exposed to them? If you use the device in the way it is intended to be used, then your exposure will be very low. For example, the circuit board of your mobile phone doesn’t normally touch your skin. But there are some hazardous chemicals, such as certain phthalates and some flame retardants, which can be released from electronic devices into the air and dust in your home. You also need to make sure that you dispose of them correctly – otherwise the toxic substances can be released into your environment. EU chemicals laws aim to limit or eliminate the use of dangerous chemicals in electronics where safer alternatives exist. Companies are also encouraged to substitute dangerous chemicals with safer alternatives. Companies may get exemptions and authorisations to use certain dangerous chemicals in electronics, usually during a limited time period. Heavy metalsHeavy metals are currently essential in most electronic devices, although innovative companies are always looking for safer alternatives. Here are some typical examples:
Flame retardantsFlame retardants are used to prevent or slow down the progress of a fire. One of their effects is to give you more time to leave the site in case of a fire. They are therefore pretty robust substances and do not easily biodegrade. They remain in the natural environment for a long time. Flame retardants can migrate from your electronic products into the dust in your house. New electronic devices can also release flame retardants when they get hot. Tips for safer use
Recycle electronics carefullyThe toxic materials in your electronic devices can harm the environment if you don’t dispose of them carefully. Hand in your old electrical appliances and electronic waste to your local environmental waste or recycling station to avoid leakage of harmful substances into the environment. Read more
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IntroductionVolatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors. VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands. Organic chemicals are widely used as ingredients in household products. Paints, varnishes and wax all contain organic solvents, as do many cleaning, disinfecting, cosmetic, degreasing and hobby products. Fuels are made up of organic chemicals. All of these products can release organic compounds while you are using them, and, to some degree, when they are stored. EPA's Office of Research and Development's "Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) Study" (Volumes I through IV, completed in 1985) found levels of about a dozen common organic pollutants to be 2 to 5 times higher inside homes than outside, regardless of whether the homes were located in rural or highly industrial areas. TEAM studies indicated that while people are using products containing organic chemicals, they can expose themselves and others to very high pollutant levels, and elevated concentrations can persist in the air long after the activity is completed. Sources of VOCsHousehold products, including:
Other products, including:
Health EffectsHealth effects may include:
Key signs or symptoms associated with exposure to VOCs include:
The ability of organic chemicals to cause health effects varies greatly from those that are highly toxic, to those with no known health effect. As with other pollutants, the extent and nature of the health effect will depend on many factors including level of exposure and length of time exposed. Among the immediate symptoms that some people have experienced soon after exposure to some organics include:
At present, not much is known about what health effects occur from the levels of organics usually found in homes.
Levels in HomesStudies have found that levels of several organics average 2 to 5 times higher indoors than outdoors. During and for several hours immediately after certain activities, such as paint stripping, levels may be 1,000 times background outdoor levels. Steps to Reduce Exposure
Follow label instructions carefully. Potentially hazardous products often have warnings aimed at reducing exposure of the user. For example, if a label says to use the product in a well-ventilated area, go outdoors or in areas equipped with an exhaust fan to use it. Otherwise, open up windows to provide the maximum amount of outdoor air possible. Throw away partially full containers of old or unneeded chemicals safely. Because gases can leak even from closed containers, this single step could help lower concentrations of organic chemicals in your home. (Be sure that materials you decide to keep are stored not only in a well-ventilated area but are also safely out of reach of children.) Do not simply toss these unwanted products in the garbage can. Find out if your local government or any organization in your community sponsors special days for the collection of toxic household wastes. If such days are available, use them to dispose of the unwanted containers safely. If no such collection days are available, think about organizing one. Buy limited quantities. If you use products only occasionally or seasonally, such as paints, paint strippers and kerosene for space heaters or gasoline for lawn mowers, buy only as much as you will use right away. Keep exposure to emissions from products containing methylene chloride to a minimum. Consumer products that contain methylene chloride include paint strippers, adhesive removers and aerosol spray paints. Methylene chloride is known to cause cancer in animals. Also, methylene chloride is converted to carbon monoxide in the body and can cause symptoms associated with exposure to carbon monoxide. Carefully read the labels containing health hazard information and cautions on the proper use of these products. Use products that contain methylene chloride outdoors when possible; use indoors only if the area is well ventilated. Keep exposure to benzene to a minimum. Benzene is a known human carcinogen. The main indoor sources of this chemical are:
Actions that will reduce benzene exposure include:
Keep exposure to perchloroethylene emissions from newly dry-cleaned materials to a minimum. Perchloroethylene is the chemical most widely used in dry cleaning. In laboratory studies, it has been shown to cause cancer in animals. Recent studies indicate that people breathe low levels of this chemical both in homes where dry-cleaned goods are stored and as they wear dry-cleaned clothing. Dry cleaners recapture the perchloroethylene during the dry-cleaning process so they can save money by re-using it, and they remove more of the chemical during the pressing and finishing processes. Some dry cleaners, however, do not remove as much perchloroethylene as possible all of the time. Taking steps to minimize your exposure to this chemical is prudent.
Standards or GuidelinesNo federally enforceable standards have been set for VOCs in non-industrial settings. To learn more about VOC's, including current guidelines or recommendations set by various organizations for formaldehyde concentrations, visit Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s Indoor Air Quality Scientific Findings Resource Bank. Additional Resources
What is the first step when preparing for a computer forensic investigation?Step 1: Identification
In this very first step, all potential sources of evidence that are capable of storing digital information are identified such as computers, phones, hard drives, pen drives, etc. Forensic experts then identify which of these devices require analysis to meet case objectives.
What are three rules for a forensic hash?What are the three rules for a forensic hash? It can't be predicted, no two files can have the same hash value, and if the file changes, the hash value changes.
What is required for real time surveillance of a suspects computer activity?What is required for real-time surveillance of a suspect's computer activity? Sniffing data transmissions between a suspect's computer and a network server.
What questions should an investigator ask to determine whether a computer crime was committed?The investigator should also still ask the following questions:. Who are the potential suspects?. What crimes were committed?. When were the crimes committed?. Were these crime limited to US jurisdiction?. What evidence is there to collect?. Where might the physical and digital evidence be located?. |