Which substance is a major pollutant of concern from a printed circuit board shop?

In a printed circuit board shop, copper is a primary pollutant of concern due to its widespread use in the manufacturing process. Copper is used extensively for circuit traces and connections, and the processes involved, such as etching and plating, can release significant amounts of copper into wastewater and the environment if not properly managed. This can result in contamination of water bodies, leading to harmful ecological effects, such as toxicity to aquatic life.

While other metals like lead, zinc, and mercury can also be concerns in electronics manufacture, copper is particularly problematic due to its volume of usage and the potential for environmental release during production processes. Effective environmental compliance strategies in printed circuit board manufacturing often focus on controlling copper levels to minimize environmental impact and adhere to regulatory standards.