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Electronic equipment contains toxic materials that can pose health and environmental risks, particularly when disposed of in landfills, where toxins may leak into the soil and ground water. The Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, an environmental advocacy group, has found that the majority of equipment is diverted to uncontrolled landfills or to unsafe recycling operations in developing countries. As a result, the local environment in those areas can become contaminated, and local residents, in an effort to reclaim valuable metal components, may be exposed to hazardous materials.
Electronic equipment contains toxic materials:
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• Computer and television monitors with cathode ray tubes (CRTs) contain four to eight pounds of lead on average. The EPA has identified electronic products as the largest single source of lead in municipal solid waste.
• Printed circuit boards in computers, music players, and other electronic gear contain toxic metals such as chromium, nickel, and zinc.
• Batteries may contain nickel and cadium.
• Relays, switches, and liquid crystal displays (LCDs) may contain mercury.
• Plastics used in many electronic products also contain flame retardants that are toxic and persist in the environment.
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To learn more about the toxins found in different types of electronics, visit our sections on Computers, TVs, Cell phones and Other electronics.
Last updated March 2008
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