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Technology Stocks : The *NEW* Frank Coluccio Technology Forum -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Lizzie Tudor who wrote (24575)	12/19/2007 2:31:56 PM
From: Frank A. Coluccio	Respond to of 46821

An entry on the toxicity of CdTe from Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org Question: Is this account skewed in order to mitigate concerns? In parts, it appears that way to me. Then again, I may have become a bit hyper-sensitized about objectivity or the lack thereof where Web2.0 "pedias" are concerned, due to Google's recent entry into the field and all of the chatter that's ensued over the accuracy and reliability of information being presented by unknowns AND biased knowns. To my point, when I read verbiage providing quasi-personalized counsel such as, "Please refer to materials safety data sheets for details", and assurances such as "completely resolves any environmental concerns", I begin to seriously wonder. I've copied the passage in question below, as I do many texts here, for posterity: -- Toxicity Cadmium telluride is handled as a toxic material. It should not be ingested, nor its dust inhaled, and it should not be handled without appropriate gloves. Please refer to materials safety data sheets for details. The disposal of cadmium telluride could become an issue in the large scale commercialization of cadmium telluride solar panels, although the material is safely encapsulated between sheets of glass. However, recycling of spent panels resolves all environmental concerns. A document hosted by the U.S. National Institutes of Health[1] dated 2003 discloses that: Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are nominating Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) for inclusion in the National Toxicology Program (NTP). This nomination is strongly supported by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and First Solar Inc. The material has the potential for widespread applications in photovoltaic energy generation that could involve extensive human interfaces. Hence, we consider that a definitive toxicological study of the effects of long-term exposure to CdTe is a necessity. Health and Environmental Risks Researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy Brookhaven National Laboratory have found that: Large-scale use of CdTe PV modules does not present any risks to health and the environment, and recycling the modules at the end of their useful life completely resolves any environmental concerns. During their operation, these modules do not produce any pollutants, and furthermore, by displacing fossil fuels, they offer great environmental benefits. CdTe PV modules appear to be more environmentally friendly than all other current uses of Cd.[2] ------