One of the things I think ecologists have gone a bit overboard on is this RoHS thing. Lead free solder is apparently pretty bad, though I've only used the lead free stuff so I can't compare it. I'm going to be doing some SMT work soon so I may well have to get myself the leaded stuff at extra cost.
Interesting info about the mercury. I heard a similar thing about CFL light bulbs. Using a CFL bulb with mercury in it is much better for the environment than an incandescent bulb, because less mercury is released by burning coal. Or something like that.
Either way, I would like to see LEDs being the next big thing next to CFLs. You can still go into a store in the UK and buy 5 CFL bulbs for £1 or so. I have about 20 stored away... heck I'll never need another bulb again if they meet their 15,000 hour lifetime.
How toxic are those batteries anyway? I know they are extremely volatile if overcharged, overheated, damaged or malfunctioning (take your pick) but I thought lithium wasn't a major environmental issue? What do I know, I only got a B in Chemistry (a major part of that is "social and environmental issues.")
Interesting info about the mercury. I heard a similar thing about CFL light bulbs. Using a CFL bulb with mercury in it is much better for the environment than an incandescent bulb, because less mercury is released by burning coal. Or something like that.
Either way, I would like to see LEDs being the next big thing next to CFLs. You can still go into a store in the UK and buy 5 CFL bulbs for £1 or so. I have about 20 stored away... heck I'll never need another bulb again if they meet their 15,000 hour lifetime.
How toxic are those batteries anyway? I know they are extremely volatile if overcharged, overheated, damaged or malfunctioning (take your pick) but I thought lithium wasn't a major environmental issue? What do I know, I only got a B in Chemistry (a major part of that is "social and environmental issues.")