Please visit the CorpWatch Homepage for the latest information. By Ted Smith, Executive Director of the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition Silicon Valley is the birthplace of the high-tech revolution that has brought us technological advances unparalleled in human history, making it possible for humans to walk on the moon and to create a communications internet unimaginable until a few years ago. These same advances, however, have brought with them unparalleled threats to a sustainable future. A State Health department study found a 3 fold increase of birth defects in a neighborhood where leaking chemicals contaminated the water supply. High-tech plants discharge tons of many toxic air pollutants from their manufacturing processes.
Semiconductor manufacturing uses more highly toxic gases than any other industry.
More than 700 compounds are used to make one computer work station, which are designed to become obsolete immediately. Workers Bear the Brunt Hundreds of chemicals are used in electronics manufacturing, subjecting the workers to a massive experiment in low level exposure to multiple toxics. Semiconductor workers suffer industrial illnesses at 3 times the average for other manufacturing jobs. There are no unions in Silicon Valley high-tech companies and the industry has vigorously fought against efforts to bring union scale wages and working conditions into the industry. High-tech industry lobbyists have been leaders in efforts to undermine the existing protections of labor laws.