Erin Spinka

Geneva -- The Basel Action Network (BAN), Seattle, has released two independent studies revealing that discarded mobile phones that no longer contain batteries still qualify as hazardous waste. The studies, funded by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the State of California, indicate that metal lead in the phones potentially can leach into landfills. Members of the Basel Convention’s Mobile Phone Partnership Initiative, however, have refused to address the toxicity of mobile phones, reportedly saying the issue is outside of the committee’s mandate. For details or to see the report, visit http://www.ban.org.