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To: SteamShovel
Aren't the only "hazardous" materials in the CRT display and the batteries? I suppose the newer displays might have hazardous material too, but it seems ridiculous to call the entire computer HAZMAT....unless you want an excuse to increase the disposal tax.

No, there's lead on the circuit boards (from the solder joints), although many manufacturers have moved to low lead content solder. And most companies have gotten away from "non-green" toxic board cleaners as well. Still, there's a fair amount of "toxic" material in a computer. Far less than there used to be, but still...

Anything for a new tax.

Mark

33 posted on 05/28/2007 9:39:12 PM PDT by MarkL (Environmental heretics should be burned at the stake, in a "Carbon Neutral" way...)
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To: MarkL; SteamShovel

Because of the RoHS directive (EU), California’s SB20, and China’s RoHS equivalent, lead free circuit boards are being mandated in an increasing number of markets. There are already some boards out that are lead free, and you can tell because the circuit traces look tarnished and dull (oxidation?). CRTs mimimized the toxicity of phosphor coatings a while ago, but still have leaded glass, and barium. The transformers in computers have arsenic, and some of the switches have mercury.

The only stat I could come up with on a quick web search said that only 14-15% of computers are recycled, and the rest are put in landfill or incinerated. Clearly local government, private industry, small business and personal computer buyers have failed at protecting the environment and water table from contamination by these systems. While I’m pretty sure pre-taxing computers for disposal is not going to do much to address the issue, I’d like to see some positive steps taken to at least label the toxic elements of these systems.


52 posted on 05/30/2007 9:51:33 PM PDT by amchugh (large and largely disgruntled)
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