[biosboiii]

TIL: Generally all plastics exposed to UV start to photodegrade. If you google why old computers turn particularly yellow most sources point to bromine-based flame retardant agents in the plastic, but some people make a convincing case[1] that ABS just naturally turns yellow in UV light.

Not much real research into that topic, interestingly.

[1] https://medium.com/@pueojit/a-look-into-the-yellowing-and-de...

[krs_]

I've had a few experiences with retrobrighting and having it come out really nicely, then after being stored away in a box for a couple of years it's somehow yellow again. It's probably different with different plastics but it doesn't seem so clear cut that it's always the UV light causing it.

[ufocia]

Not sure why all the fire retardants are needed. Besides, steel probably retards fire more effectively than most fire retarded resins and is probably far more recyclable.

[fwip]

In the uncommon event that something in your computer catches fire, the flame retardant keeps the fire from igniting the otherwise flammable plastic and potentially burning your house down.