TVs contain the same type of tube. Circuit boards contain lead, chromium and other hazardous materials. Plastic casings can also contain toxins in the form of fire retardant chemicals. What s worse, there is an onslaught of this used equipment headed toward disposal. With technology and software developing rapidly, the useful life of a computer continues to shrink.
Many retailers suggest planning on replacement every two years.
Projections are that nationwide, at least 315 million personal computers will become obsolete by 2004. And the switch over to digital television broadcasting is scheduled for 2006. Just about everyone I know believes there is something wrong here. Government agencies are starting to take notice of the increasing number of toxic pieces of equipment that enter the landfills and incinerators. The state of Massachusetts just banned cathode ray tubes from their landfills.