The wire and cable industry manufacturers have a wide range of products that support a number of copper wire applications, for example in 2004 the US had a shipment amounting to 2.4 billion pounds and $9 billion dollars in sales. Some of the functional components of wire include heat stabilizers, polymer systems used in insulation and jacketing (EPA, 2005).
PVC, which is inherent flame retardant, durable, so making it more suitable for cable insulation and jacketing. These wires are also instrumental in car battery(Hydrogen Chloride) manufacturing since they are good electrical transmitters. Copper wires have as well revolutionalized technology since they are largely used in the High Packaging Group Dell, HelletPackard, IBM, and Nokia among others. A growing number of original equipment manufacturers (OEM), particularly in electronics and automobiles industries have introduced supplier materials declarations (EPA, 2010).
Some other partners in copper wires in manufacturing are, additive suppliers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), trade community members (National Manufacturers Electrical Association and the Vinyl Institute of the American Plastic Council. TURI, and EPA. Belden CDT, Cable Group Components, and Polycom Zion are also working associates.
Governments have enacted environmental legislations and directives to establish the conduct of manufacturers in electronic- copper industries check lead and halogens exposure to the environment (Ciocci & Pecht 2006). In this pursuit, the European Union (EU), Japan and the US are in the forefront in and also in creating heightened consumer awareness (US EPA, 2016).The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that public health should take any necessary steps to ensure non-exposure of copper
References
EPA (2005).Assesing life-cycle impacts in the wire& cable industry. Wire& cable partnership. Design for the environment.
EPA.(2010). Scope and bounderies .http:/www.epa.gov/opt/pfoa/pubs/pfoastewardship.htm
Ciocci,R & Pecht,M. ( 2006).Impact of environmental regulations on green electronics manufacture. Microelectronics International. Emerald. (23) 2.
