Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


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Computer recycling--is there any uranium or mercury?

Are there metals such as uranium and mercury in computers?

Nancy O.
education - Houston, Texas
2005

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Nancy-- don't you think that "any" is subjective? At what level? parts per thousand, per million, per trillion?
For recycling purposes, there should be ultra low levels of uranium. The monitor could contain mercury in the phosphors inside the screen, but the rest of the unit should have very low levels of mercury--Well below EPA limits. Naturally, there is an exception in a few million units.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2005

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2005

I would like to ask you how I can find out if my computer screen, as you mentioned, contains mercury or not?
Also I would like to know if there is any mercury in the scanners, dot matrix, lazer printers, copier machines, and tube lights.
Your help is very much appreciated and it is urgent.

Haifa Juma
Saad Specialist Hospital - Saudi Arabia

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Haifa, ask the manufacturers of your computer parts. They are the only people who can tell you.

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
2005