• LEAD - A Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) is the viewing portion of computer monitors (and televisions) and contains materials which must be recycled. In October 2001 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned the dumping of CRT's because of the high amount of lead (5-9 lbs) and other toxic materials in the CRT’s.
  
  Lead can cause damage to the central and peripheral nervous systems, blood system and kidneys. Damage to developing children's brains has also been noted. Lead is a critical component in practically all electronic products. The lead in working monitors/TV is not considered a health or safety problem because it's embedded in the glass tube itself. (It's there to protect users from the X-rays generated inside the tube). But, when the tube is broken into fragments (when thrown into a landfill) there is a substantial risk the heavy metal will leach into the environment. Discarded electronics already contribute between 30% - 40% of the lead in the waste system and this amount is rising fast.
   
• CADMIUM - Is found in circuit boards and semiconductors. Cadmium accumulates easily in the body, particularly in the kidneys, and can cause symptoms of poisoning.
   
• MERCURY - Is found in batteries and switches. Amounts in the environment are increasing and can cause damage to neurons in the brain.
   
• CHROMIUM - Is used as a corrosive protectant for metal/steel. It can easily pass into cells, may cause strong allergic reactions and may even cause damage to DNA.
   
• PVC PLASTICS - Is used in cables and PC housing. The largest component is polyvinyl chloride which creates more environmental and health hazards than any other type of plastic.
   
• BROMINATED FLAME RETARDANTS - Are used in electronics on circuit boards, connectors, covers and cables to reduce flammability, might disrupt the endocrine system and has been found increasing to alarming amounts in breast milk.

How can you prevent toxic e-waste?

Preventing waste is preferable to waste management. This can be accomplished by recycling electronic equipment that is still in good working condition. Schools and non-profit organizations might benefit from your old PC.  Before dropping of your old equipment, first call your local school or non profit to see what they can use. These organizations have limited resources for diagnosing and repairing non-functioning electronics so be sure yours computer is in functioning order. If you own a business, you may be able to take advantage of tax incentives for your computer equipment donation.

There are a number of web-based resources that can assist you in determining correct reuse or recycling opportunities. Earth 911 is one of the better sites that offers information on reuse, recycling and tips on donating computers.

You can also "Buy Green".  Many experts are now promoting environmentally responsible “green” electronic use that not only includes proper end-of-life disposal of obsolete equipment, but also the purchase of new equipment that has been designed with environmentally preferable attributes. To “Buy Green”, look for electronics that;

• Contain fewer toxic constituents
• Use recycled materials in the new product
• Are energy efficient (show a "Energy Star" label)
• Are designed for easy upgrading or disassembly
• Use minimal packaging
• Offer leasing or take back options

It's the law -

There are now laws in every state that computers, monitors, cell phones, printers and other like devices must be "properly" disposed of. Each state restricts dumping of such devices and many states have already instituted laws requiring collection of dumping fees at the time of purchase with stiff fines for companies (and users) that improperly dump electronic devices. State specific Hazardous Waste Disposal information can be found at: http://www.pbs.org/now/science/ecyclemap.html

A number of large corporations have set up computer recycling/disposal programs. Gateway, Hewlett-Packard and Dell are three.  For a modest fee (usually $15 - $35) they will accept old computers no matter what brand they are or condition they're in.   All you have to do it fill out a form, pay the fee, and pack up the equipment.  A shipper will arrive at your door at an agreed upon time to take it away. Dell and HP also have partnerships with the National Cristina Foundation, which channels used but useable equipment to people with disabilities.

Sanitize For Your Own Protection -

Unsanitized computers pose a serious threat to your security. Before you relinquish control of your PC, be sure you have sanitized the hard drive. Most people do not understanding that simply deleting a file does not remove the information from the hard drive. Important information you may have stored on your computer - such as social security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, etc. - can remain and be easily recovered. Reformatting the hard drive disk is not an adequate solution - it must be sanitized.

One approved method of disc sanitation is called over-writing. Over-writing means replacing data with repeated patterns of meaningless information. To fully eliminate data from a drive, it must be over-written multiple times and then effectively "deleted / removed".  There are a number of sanitation programs available online. Windows users can download the highly rated (and free) Eraser program.

Changing the way electronics are designed is key to addressing the environmental challenges they cause. Phasing out use of toxic material is one important goal, but not the only one. Equipment must also be made easier to upgrade, so it will be used longer even as the technology evolves. The equipment must be made easier to dismantle at the end of its life so separating components is not complicated and costly. Manufacturers must also avoid coating or painting plastics and incorporate more recycled materials in their products.