did you know that there is 5-9lbs of lead dust in every PC monitor & TV ?

[ElsewheresDaughter]

my son is doing a project for school on "E-waste" and these numbers astounded me.

there is also large ammounts of mercury, cadmium, chromium and arsenic ...jays'us h christ! there's an "E-waste Tsunami" (that's the name of sons project) ready to roll across the US! Are we ready for it?

Did you get a new computer or television last year? Where is the old one going? Millions (300/500 million) of aging televisions and obsolete computers gather cobwebs in basements and attics. Tons more sit in landfills.

Each of those defunct TV sets or computer screens contains a serious problem - a cathode ray tube (CRT) that contains four to eight pounds of lead, plus cadmium, mercury, toxic solvents and chemicals. When old sets and outdated computers are sent to the landfill, they are crushed, creating potential to release heavy metals and other toxic chemicals into the environment.

http://eesc.orst.edu/agcomwebfile/news/naturalresources/oldappliance.html

and on 911 they estimate that there were 50,000 PC monitors, 300 main frame computers, thousands of scanners, and fax machines, just in WTC1 and WTC 2 never mind the 7 other buildings demolished

multiply that times 5-9 lbs of lead per .....NYers DON'T BREATHE no matter what their fucking telling you!

Some states have taken the initiative to clarify the law regarding electronics discards more precisely.

· Massachusetts has banned the landfilling or incineration of monitors and television screens.

· Vermont bans the disposal of all equipment containing mercury switches.

· Massachusetts has banned the landfilling or incineration of monitors and television screens.

· Connecticut prohibits the disposal of mercury containing devices until the mercury is removed or recycled.

· New Jersey and Rhode Island have adopted Universal Waste classification·<4>.

· Maine, New Hampshire is considering adoption of Universal Waste clarification.

· Many other states are looking at similar regulatory measures.

http://www.tornrc.com/Govt_Policies/Electronic_Disp/electronic_disp.html

[havocmom]

1. explains why my Einstien-esq 'office assistant' is always sneezing.

Still wondering what to do with the old word processor in the basement.
Maybe I'll just keep it for secretwritings. No modem, things stored only on floppies; the DOJ must hate those things. :evilgrin:

[RamblingRose]

2. I can't find any place to recycle old computers (accept for a fee)

I have 2 computers sitting in our basement that I keep tripping over. I called our county recycling center, and they referred me to a company that will "accept" old computers for a $50 fee per computer.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

3. tell ya what ..this looks like an execellent buisness to get into now...

from what i have been reading of sons school project i would say it is a huge problem and money can be made from E-waste...and dell, ibm, and ccomputer companies should have to foot the cost of disposal for their toxic waste!....google it and see how HUGE this is...it would be a groundfloor buisnes oppertunity for someone
...just my $0.02

"People today are looking for places to recycle e-waste and are looking to government to provide a solution," she said. "Recyclers, wary that regulations will change and that they will be responsible for large volumes of hazardous waste, are hesitant to collect e-waste. Unless recycling facilities can develop a source of income by recycling the waste, it is a losing proposition for them."

When concerned citizens try to recycle their electronics, some of their electronics may end up being shipped in bulk to Asia where there are few environmental laws to prevent toxic pollution. With disregard for international law, electronic waste is often dumped in huge open piles and burned, with heavy metals and toxins entering the soil, water and air.

[newyawker99]

5. Hi RamblingRose!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[59millionmorons]

4. Hey your right

I just smashed opened my computer screen and there it is six pounds of lead dust.