Toxic Computers Behind Bars

This article can be found at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/27/science/earth/27waste.html?_r=1&ref=science

    A new form of waste has developed in the last few decades. It includes the disposal of our computers, cell phones, printers, televisions, and other electronic devices, and is often referred to as “electronic waste.” This article discusses a four-year investigation by the Justice Department where it was found that prison inmates and employees have been exposed to toxic materials while “processing electronic waste for recycling.” This electronic waste had then been exported to developing nations where the toxic elements “c[ould] harm local populations by leaching into groundwater.”
   
    Leslie Kaufman writes a solid article here. All the information above—the essential information of the story—are in the first two paragraphs. Then Kaufman discusses what the investigators found, what prisons were involved, how the inquiry took place, and who was involved. There could have been more information on how the inmates/employees got sick from the electronic waste, but she does mention that there is little information known in that regard: “While the inquiry did not definitely link any long-term health effects to recycling work, it found evidence of wrongdoing, like exposing prisoners to lead and cadmium.” She also hinted, briefly at the end of the article, where the investigation might be leading (criminal charges against prisons), which was a nice conclusion to the story.