Why worry about old cell phones?
The “guts” of the phones contain heavy metals and toxins. The most troublesome parts are the circuit board, which has lead solder on it, the liquid-crystal display, and the battery. Flame retardents in phone components can also cause environmental and health problems. When the phones are burned in incinerators, the heavy metals and toxins can pollute the air. When landfilled, they can work their way into the soil and water. For more information about recycling, and trash disposal in Montgomery County: www.montgomerycountymd.gov/solidwaste; recycle@montgomerycountymd.
