The first line of defense is a surge suppressor. The entry-level surge suppressor is a
plug-strip that includes a varistor that is designed to fail should a spike of electricity be
sensed to protect anything plugged into it. There are higher end models that will protect
your phone lines, modems, and network connections. The best protection from electrical
problems is an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), which also provides backup power
if the power fails or runs below normal voltages for a while. See Chapter 23 for more in-
formation on electrical protection.Environmental Issues
By law, several of a PC’s components require special handling or disposal procedures.
The components that you must take care with are batteries, mercury switches, and the
monitor’s CRT.
Like all batteries, PC batteries, which are usually the lithium battery that powers
CMOS memory, should not be disposed of in either fire or water. Batteries should not be
casually discarded but should be disposed of according to local restrictions and regula-
tions covering the disposal or recycling of all batteries. Leaking batteries should be han-
dled very carefully. If you must handle a leaking battery, make sure you do not get the
electrolyte, the stuff on the inside of the battery, in your eyes or mouth.
A monitor contains the following contaminants: solvents and solvent vapors, metals
(includingaveryhighleveloflead),photoresistmaterials,deionizedwater,acids,oxidiz-
ers, phosphor, ammonia, aluminum, carbon slurry, and a long list of other chemicals and
caustic materials. Because of this, a monitor should not simply be thrown in the dump-
ster. It should be disposed of carefully—probably the best way is through a disposal ser-
vice that handles computer equipment.
Because nearly 70 percent of the CRT’s components contain lead, the CRT comes un-
der the Land Disposal Ban Program of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA). This law requires that old CRTs (and old TVs, by the way) be dismantled,
crushed, and encapsulated in cement. Salvage companies exist that properly dispose of
CRTs for a fee.
Other PC and peripheral components that should be disposed using special proce-
dures are laser printer toner cartridges and refill kits and the used or empty containers of
chemical solvents and cleaners. The best place to find information on the proper way to
dispose of an item is in its documentation or the MSDS or WHMIS information on a
chemical product.Chapter 22: PC Care and Maintenance^597