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Title: High-Tech Trash

Source: http://www.wqow.com/news

Throw out the old rules about trash. A new problem is filling up landfills. Recycling experts say flat screens used in televisions and computers can be toxic. First Choice Computer Recycling is starting to see a few LCD monitors in its warehouse. You can toss them out with regular garbage, but the problem comes at the landfill. LCD monitors contain mercury and if the screen breaks, it can cause environmental problems. Jon Tulman with Eau Claire County Planning and Development says, "The vapor form of mercury is as toxic as if it's ingested. The mercury is released into the atmosphere and will come back down in precipitation. That's how we, for the most part, get the mercury in our lakes and streams, and even in underground water." Mercury poisoning can cause neurological problems. County officials say they want residents to recycle old computer monitors and televisions, instead of throwing them out.