E-Waste
You see the word E-WASTE everywhere - particularly in education. But what does it mean? E-Waste is an acronym that stands for Electronic waste.
Electronic waste may be defined as discarded computers, office electronic equipment, entertainment device electronics, mobile phones, television sets and refrigerators. This definition includes used electronics which are destined for reuse, resale, salvage, recycling, or disposal.Others define the reusable and secondary scrap (copper, steel and plastic) to be "commodities", and reserve the term "waste" for residue or material which is dumped by the buyer rather than recycled, including residue from reuse and recycling operations; Because loads of surplus electronics are frequently commingled (good, recyclable, and non-recyclable) several public policy advocates apply the term "e-waste" broadly to all surplus electronics.
All electronic scrap components, such as CRTs, may contain contaminants such as lead, cadmium, beryllium, or brominated flame retardants. Even in developed countries recycling and disposal of e-waste may involve significant risk to workers and communities and great care must be taken to avoid unsafe exposure in recycling operations and leaching of material such as heavy metals from landfills and incinerator ashes. Due to the Rapid changes in technology many software and media gadgets has became obsolete . thus this obsolescence have resulted in a fast-growing surplus of electronic waste around the globe.
Electronic waste may be defined as discarded computers, office electronic equipment, entertainment device electronics, mobile phones, television sets and refrigerators. This definition includes used electronics which are destined for reuse, resale, salvage, recycling, or disposal.Others define the reusable and secondary scrap (copper, steel and plastic) to be "commodities", and reserve the term "waste" for residue or material which is dumped by the buyer rather than recycled, including residue from reuse and recycling operations; Because loads of surplus electronics are frequently commingled (good, recyclable, and non-recyclable) several public policy advocates apply the term "e-waste" broadly to all surplus electronics.
All electronic scrap components, such as CRTs, may contain contaminants such as lead, cadmium, beryllium, or brominated flame retardants. Even in developed countries recycling and disposal of e-waste may involve significant risk to workers and communities and great care must be taken to avoid unsafe exposure in recycling operations and leaching of material such as heavy metals from landfills and incinerator ashes. Due to the Rapid changes in technology many software and media gadgets has became obsolete . thus this obsolescence have resulted in a fast-growing surplus of electronic waste around the globe.
Where Are E-Waste Disposed Of?
E-waste is dumped in landfill sites or recycled, often in poorly managed facilities in developing countries,such as China,India and Africa, thus leading to significant health risks as stated above. Some companies have stated it is done due to the possibility of someone removing hard drives and recovering sensitive data.
The environmental impact of the processing of different electronic waste components
Environmental Hazards of E Waste
- Americium- The radioactive source in smoke alarms. It is known to be carcinogenic.
- Mercury- Found in fluorescent tubes and flat screen monitors. Health effects include sensory impairment, dermatitis, memory loss, and muscle weakness. Exposure in-utero causes fetal deficits in motor function, attention and verbal domains Environmental effects in animals include death, reduced fertility, slower growth and development.
- Sulphur- Found in lead-acid batteries. Health effects include liver damage, kidney damage, heart damage, eye and throat irritation. When released in to the environment, it can create sulphuric acid.
- BFRs (Brominated flame retardant)- Used as flame retardants in plastics in most electronics. Health effects include impaired development of the nervous system, thyroid problems, liver problems. Environmental effects: similar effects as in animals as humans.
- Cadmium- Found in light-sensitive resistors, corrosion-resistant alloys for marine and aviation environments, and nickel-cadmium batteries. The inhalation of cadmium can cause severe damage to the lungs and is also known to cause kidney damage. Cadmium is also associated with deficits in cognition, learning, behavior, and neuromotor skills in children
- Lead- solder, CRT monitor glass, lead-acid batteries, some formulations of PVC. Adverse effects of lead exposure include impaired cognitive function, behavioral disturbances, attention deficits, hyperactivity, conduct problems and lower IQ.
vIDEOS OF E-Waste
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