04-10-2014, 09:49 AM
E-WASTE
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INTRODUCTION
Most consumers are unaware of the toxic
materials in the products they rely on for word
processing, data management, and access to the
internet, as well as for electronic games.
In general, computer equipment is a complicated assembly of
more than 1,000 materials, many of which are highly toxic, such
as chlorinated and brominated substances, toxic gases, toxic
metals, biologically active materials, acids, plastics and plastic
additives.
The health impacts of the mixtures and material combinations in
the products often are not known. The production of
semiconductors, printed circuit boards, disk drives and monitors
uses particularly hazardous chemicals, and workers involved in
chip manufacturing are now beginning to come forward and
reporting cancer clusters. In addition, new evidence is emerging
that computer recyclers have high levels of dangerous chemicals
in their blood.
The fundamental dynamism of computer manufacturing that has
transformed life in the second half of the 20th century
especially the speed of innovation -- also leads to rapid product
obsolescence.. The average computer platform has a lifespan of
less than two years, and hardware and software companies –
especially Intel and Microsoft -- constantly generate new
programs that fuel the demand for more speed, memory and
power.
A May 1999 report -– "Electronic Product Recovery and
Recycling Baseline Report" --published by the well-respected
National Safety Council‟s Environmental Health Center,
confirmed that computer recycling in the US is shockingly
inadequate:
In 1998 only 6 percent of computers were recycled
compared to the numbers of new computers put on the
market that year.
By the year 2004, experts estimate that we will have over 315
million obsolete computers in the US, many of which will be
destined for landfills, incinerators or hazardous waste exports
Lead
Lead can cause damage to the central and peripheral nervous systems,
blood system and kidneys in humans. Effects on the endocrine system
have also been observed and its serious negative effects on children‟s
brain development have been well documented. Lead accumulates in the
environment and has high acute and chronic toxic effects on plants,
animals and microorganisms.
Mercury
When inorganic mercury spreads out in the water, it is transformed to
methylated mercury in the bottom sediments. Methylated mercury easily
accumulates in living organisms and concentrates through the food chain
particularly via fish. Methylated mercury causes chronic damage to the
brain.
In addition, hexavalent chromium compounds are toxic for the
environment. It is well documented that contaminated wastes can leach
from landfills. Incineration results in the generation of fly ash from which
chromium is leachable, and there is widespread agreement among
scientists that wastes containing chromium should not be incinerated.
Of the more than 315 million computers destined to become obsolete
between 1997 and 2004, about 1.2 million pounds of hexavalent
chromium will be presen
CONCLUSION-
"Electronic products should actually be considered chemical waste
products. Their number is increasing and their life is decreasing.
Electronic waste piles are growing, as is their pollution potential. Most of
these problems have their source in the development and ddesign of the
products concerned."
We have the need of “Clean Computers”. So that many companies have
shown they can ddesign cleaner products. Industry is making some
progress to ddesign cleaner products but we need to move beyond pilot
projects and ensure all products are upgradeable and non-toxic.