An Open Letter to IPC and the Industry

摘要

IPC, through its president, Dennis McGuirk, has stated, "Banning lead is not based on good science," (EP&P, January 2001). With regard to banning lead in solder specifically, we would be more explicit. It would be bad for the electronics industry and bad for the environment. We agree with his assessment; however, we also believe it only follows that we need a more proactive policy opposing a misguided initiative that is primarily motivated by marketing opportunism. IPC should do more to lead the way for science-based risk assessment. To that end, we suggest a modification to the current position statement of IPC as adopted in April 1999 by its board of directors. (Editor's note: The current and proposed position statements follow, with modifications in italics.