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New Waste Prevention Bill Would Prevent Sale of Toxic Electronics

A bill making its way through the State Assembly would prevent the sale of electronic products that contain certain toxins. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has details.

New Waste Prevention Bill Would Prevent Sale of Toxic Electronics

A bill making its way through the State Assembly would prevent the sale of electronic products that contain certain toxins. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has details.

Many cell phones and other electronic products are made using toxic substances like lead, cadmium and mercury. The EPA says about 70 percent of the toxic heavy metals found in landfills are from electronic waste. The E-waste bill is intended to prevent harmful toxins from leeching into groundwater and soil. San Diego Assemblywoman Lori Saldana introduced the legislation:

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Saldana : We want to make sure that people are not polluting the landfills and water, especially in places like San Diego where we have a lot of contamination already in our groundwater, because they're using these electronic products.

She says the bill would require electronics manufacturers to phase out the hazardous materials in their products by 2010. The European Union passed a similar law last year. Ed Joyce, KPBS News.