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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET

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Environmentally friendly ITO replacement?

Indium tin oxides are used on a range of appliances such as flat screen displays, etc. I am an environmental chemistry student and am worried about the environmental impact of the indium and tin once these computers, etc. are finished with and dumped. Isn't there a more environmentally friendly transparent conductive oxide that can replace these toxic metals?

Anna R [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- England
2001

Hi, Anna. Tin must be among the safest of all metals. Indium not so much, I guess.

What other metals besides tin would you consider environmentally friendly as a starting point? I think I'd rule out precious metals because they are such an inducement to amateur recyclers, that using them would probably result in cherry-picking and spreading the remaining wastes everywhere.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
July 2008

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