Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/04/15
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Ken, It's true that there are other means by which mercury makes it's way into the environment, but it seems to me that these little button cells are significant enough to merit a ban, and the alternatives (modify the camera, use it without a meter, use a different type of battery) do not seem nearly so awful. I think it's important to remember that we, the Leica-carrying crowd, are least likely to have to live with the consequences of our actions-heck, if our area becomes too fouled, we can afford to move to an unsullied area. And how thoughtful of Mercedes Benz to provide filtered air for it's fortunate customers! But be careful about that delicious grilled swordfish or tuna steak (probably salmon as well) - guess which fish accumulate most mercury as a result of their top-of-the-food-chain position? May I interest you in a nice dish of plankton instead? Here's just three (of many) websites which may be of interest: http://www.epa.gov/reg5oair/glakes/fact2.htm http://www.alphacdc.com/ien/mercury.html http://www.magnet.state.ma.us/dep/files/battery.htm Jeff - -----Original Message----- From: Ken Wilcox <wilcox@umcc.umich.edu> >Well, we've hashed this out before, but there are better ways to deal with >a VERY SMALL potential source of Hg contamination. Deposits and recyling >come to mind. > >To make obsolete tens of thousands of electric devices in an environmental >frenzy is irresponsible. Perhaps we should ban gasoline. It, and its >by-products present a MUCH larger environmental risk than a few batteries.