V: Bob Blick may not see the prior post as it is labelled 
OT.
If you are addressing it to him (as seems to be the case) 
you should perhaps send him a direct copy as well.

>> I guess it's pointless to talk to you about the 
>> environment, since so
>> far you have objected or resisted all attempts to 
>> enlighten you, but
>> I'll try one more time.

I think I gave up some quite some while ago pointing out 
that I had addressed various points that had been raised but 
that there must have, apparently, been something between you 
and me filtering out the relevant content.

However, notwithstanding -

> I do not agree with Russell on many things, but in this 
> case I believe he's
> absolutely right. With most choices, one needs to consider 
> the trade-offs,
> but the "3600 hrs of kerosene vs 3 NiCad cells" choice is 
> a no-brainer.

which I agree with. But Y'all (except perhaps one person) 
will be pleased to know that since the above "conversation" 
was held the decision was made by my client to abandon NiCd 
use entirely due to his environmental concerns. The cost 
increment is a small but not insubstantial one as a 
percentage of product life.

My recollection of NiCd usage discussions from BB prior to 
this thread starting was that he was previously a 
substantial user of NiCd batteries in cordless power tools 
but had given them up, not for environmental reasons, not 
ever mentioned AFAIR, but in favour of rebuilding his NiCd 
packs with LiIon cells instead. Which is a fine choice if 
you can get surplus cells from other equipment, as BB 
apparently can, but is not an easy option for most cordless 
power tool users. LiIon cells have a lower cycle life than 
NiCd, but have clear advantage sin other areas - the more so 
if you can get them for free.

It's interesting to note that the ROHS regulations exempt 
(ie allow) the use of NiCd cells in portable power tools and 
lead acid batteries in general. The reasons seem clear 
enough but it still seems rather expedient if they are 
serious about what they are about.

I expect to be in India later this year in the same line of 
business as prompted the above exchange. <Tonque in cheek 
mode on> It will be interesting to see if they report an 
increased death rate amongst the child work force due to 
reduced opportunities in the NiCd battery recycling 
industry.
</TICM>


> Let me address your comment from another post:

>> I was watching a
>> video of electronics recycling in India. One scene
>> showed a kid recycling batteries. He had a basket of
>> sub-C cells, a wooden block, and a machete. He'd chop
>> the batteries like you would a carrot, and scoop the
>> remains into a bucket. He's sitting cross-legged on
>> the dirt. Not even a mask or gloves. No problems
>> there, eh?

> What other alternatives does this kid have? When I put 
> myself in his shoes,
> recycling batteries seems like a much more attractive 
> option, than
> prostituting myself, or starving to death. Trade-offs.
>
> By the way, there was an article in a recent issue of The 
> Economist, about
> such recycling operations in Delhi:
>
> http://www.economist.com/displayStory.cfm?story_id=10311257
>
> Attempts by the Indian government to "clean up" the slums 
> and "protect" the
> scavengers result in many people losing their only source 
> of income.

Alas, all attempts to remedy unacceptable situations have 
their negative effects. Sometimes large, sometimes not. I 
had an idea to improve the lot of the (mainly) Dahlit brick 
breakers in Bangladesh, but after some discussions with 
people who had lived there it became evident that any gains 
would result in reduced employment opportunities. Better to 
break bricks by hand all day in the Bangladesh summer sun 
than to have no job at all!.

Our lighting products for Africa are expected to greatly 
reduce primary battery usage with obvious benefits and to 
reduce and kerosene usage with both direct economic benefit 
plus reduced burn incidents plus health gains due to 
elimination of fine carbon particles in living areas. BUT 
the sellers of the batteries and kerosene will suffer 
accordingly. It certainly seems to be a strongly net gain 
situation, but for some it will be an immense personal 
disaster.


            Russell 

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