Rivers Of Waste

WHERE'S YOUR
OLD HARD DRIVE ?

PBS Airs SOME Facts
preview press release here

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.. Your computer will die. It will go away. Do you know where to dispose of it? Do you know how to dispose of it? Where will it go then?
.. The toxicity of these pieces is known and is a growing news story. There is mercury, lead and other toxic substances in these marvels of technology.
.. However, a second story is also gaining momentum: there is information contained in the discarded components. Personal information, corporate information, etc.
.. Can you protect your personal information? Will someone steal your picture and use it in a phony I.D.? How "clean," (in an information sense,) is your disposable treasure?
.. Is your data really gone from your old cell phone and computer and television? Find out just how vulnerable you are on Tuesday, June 23, 2009.
.. FRONTLINE/WORLD on PBS is airing a program detailing the dumping of electronic waste by the USA, (and others,) in third world countries. The USA has not ratified the treaty banning the export of hazardous waste. We send it and it's sensitive information around the world.
.. Cell phones and computer consoles are being found in our waterways and fisheries suffer. Our debris is making it's way to foreign countries. The interesting thing is that our information is riding this river of waste and ending up in criminal hands.
.. If you have any concerns you can follow the trail at THEWIP website and at the GREENPEACE website.
.. If you are a techno-weenie and have everything under control then fish the Gallatin River and worry not.
.. By the way, cell phones and expired dry cell batteries are now finding their way into the rivers and thermal features of Yellowstone National Park. There are no reports, yet, of computer dumping in the park. BUT - there is on the Gallatin River just north of the park.

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