That New TV Smell

August 4, 2015 by Debra Lynn Dadd

Updated November 23, 2020 by Lisa Powers

Question from Sandy 

Hi Debra,

Hi...I read that some flatscreen t.v.s outgas the lifetime of the TV. Wondering what your input on this is.?? Is there a website that rates TV's on the greenest etc. Thanks

Debra's Answer

We'll if you are up for reading a lot of complaints about plastic offgassing from tv's, here's a whole list of them: www.cnet.com/forums/discussions/sony-52-lcdtv-strong-acrid-smell-out-of-the-box-289843/

OK here's what I think we're looking for: the Greenpeace guide to greener electronics, September 2017

Here's what the guide says about toxic chemicals in electronics (including TV's):

The presence of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) results in the release of highly toxic dioxins, among other hazardous chemicals, when scrap is burnt. Other examples of hazardous chemicals commonly used in electronics also pose a range of environmental and human health problems.

Phthalates, used widely as softeners for PVC, migrate out of plastics over time. Some are classified as “toxic to reproduction” and are known to be hormone disrupters.

Antimony trioxide is recognised as a possible human carcinogen; exposure to high levels in the workplace, as dusts or fumes, can lead to severe skin problems and other health effects.

Beryllium and beryllium compounds, when released as dusts or fumes during processing and recycling, are recognised as known human carcinogens. Exposure to these chemicals, even at very low levels and for short periods of time, can cause beryllium sensitisation that can lead to chronic beryllium disease (CBD), an incurable and debilitating lung disease.

Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, a non-profit advocacy organization has been challenging retailers to remove flame retardants from electronics. They are making progress but more needs to be done.