E-waste and Its Toxicological Implications

Introduction

Electronic waste (E-waste) describes old, discarded electronic devices of no use. E-waste contains several substances and chemicals like mercury, and lead, which are toxic and create an adverse impact on the environment and health. E-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream and averages around one to three percent of total solid waste in developed countries. Improper disposal of E-waste results in serious environmental issues. When E-waste is exposed to heat, toxic chemicals are released into the air. These toxic materials seep into the groundwater, affecting land and sea animals. Electronic waste can also contribute to air pollution. Proper disposal methods and recycling are needed to reduce the effects of E-waste on our environment.

What Is E-waste?

Electronic waste contains various forms of electric and electronic devices which can no longer be used and discarded. Electronic waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams. E-waste consists of large household appliances, small household appliances, information, and telecommunications equipment, lighting equipment, electrical and electronic devices, toys, sports equipment, and medical devices. Electronic waste contains highly toxic substances that are dangerous to health and the environment. E-waste constitutes more than 5 percent of all solid waste globally, and it is increasing day by day.

What Are the Types of E-waste?

• Large Household Appliances - These include washing machines, freezers, refrigerators, dishwashers, cookers, air conditioners, electric fans, and large appliances used for heating rooms, beds, and seating furniture.

• Information Communications Technology (ITC) and Telecommunication Equipment - Personal computers, CPU, screen, mouse, keyboard, printers, networking equipment, laptops, audio amplifiers, mobile phones, scanners, video cameras, DVD or CD disks.

• Small Household Appliances - Vacuum cleaners, electric kettles, electric knives, electric sweepers, toasters, water dispensers, fryers, appliances for hair drying, haircutting, massage, and shaving, and appliances used for sewing, weaving, and knitting.

• Office Electronics - It includes calculators, photocopying equipment, electrical and electronic typewriters, telephones, and fax machines.

• Medical Equipment - It includes radiotherapy equipment, scanners, laboratory equipment for in-vitro diagnosis, freezers, pulmonary ventilators, cardiology equipment, dialysis equipment, stethoscopes, and electrical appliances for detecting, preventing, treating, monitoring, alleviating injury, illness, and disability.

• Consumer Equipments - Sanding, milling, turning, sawing, grinding, drilling, shearing, cutting, folding, bending, punching, or processing metal, wood, or other materials and tools for soldering, welding, or similar use, tools for nailing, screwing, riveting or removing nails, rivets, screws or similar uses, sewing machines and tools for gardening activities such as mowing.

• Toys, Leisure, and Sports Equipment - Handheld video games, video game consoles, car racing sets, electric trains, computers for biking, running, rowing, diving, and sports equipment with electric or electronic components.

What Are the Toxicological Implications of E-waste?

Toxicology explains the hazardous effects of chemicals, situations, or substances on living organisms and the environment. Toxicology explains how chemicals impact living organisms and the environment using scientific data. E-waste contains toxic components that are dangerous to human health, such as mercury, lead, cadmium, polybrominated flame retardants, lithium, and barium. These toxic chemicals result in damage to the environment and affect the human brain, liver, and kidneys. Toxic chemicals present in electronic waste materials enter the human body through inhalation and direct contact, resulting in an increased incidence of failed pregnancy (abortions), premature delivery, reduced birth weight of the baby, congenital malformations, abnormal thyroid hormone levels, decreased lung function, and neurodevelopmental disturbances.

1. E-waste and Environmental Pollution - Common E-waste consists of discarded electronic appliances like televisions, cameras, cellphones, stereos, batteries, printers and fax machines, video players, cameras, computer monitors, and other electronic devices which contain toxic substances such as lead, zinc, flame retardants, nickel, chromium, and barium. When these electronic wastes are dumped into landfills, toxic materials can seep into the soil and groundwater, affecting not only human health but also land and sea animals. E-waste is dangerous, especially during the summer when the atmospheric temperature increases and it gets heated. Toxic chemicals from electronic waste are released into the air, further damaging the atmosphere, and are considered the dangerous environmental effect of electronic waste. Improper E-waste disposal and management results in pollution of groundwater, acidification of soil, air pollution, and increased levels of lead and heavy metals in landfills.

2. Health Impacts Of E-Waste - Hazardous components of E-waste affect human health. It includes:

• Lead (cathode ray tubes, glass panels, solder in printed circuit board, computer monitors) causes damage to the central nervous system, circulatory system, and kidney. Also affects brain development in children.

• Mercury (relays and switches, printed circuit board) causes chronic damage to the brain and respiratory system. Contact with skin results in skin damage.

• Cadmium (semiconductors and chip resistors) causes neural damage.

• Beryllium (motherboard) is carcinogenic and causes skin diseases.

• Brominated flame retardants (plastic housing of electric equipment and circuit board) will disrupt endocrine system functions.

• Barium, phosphor, and other heavy metals (front panel of cathode-ray tubes) cause damage to the heart, liver, spleen, and muscle weakness.

• Plastics (cabling and computer housing) will affect the reproductive system and immune system and lead to hormonal imbalance.

• Hexavalent chromium (decorator, corrosion protection of steel plates) causes bronchitis and DNA damage.

How to Reduce E-waste?

• Use electronic devices carefully until their maximum efficacy to extend life.

• Bring broken devices to a repair shop rather than throwing them away.

• Dispose of electronic devices by consulting experts.

• Borrow or share items that are not needed daily.

• Donate unwanted products to others.

• Recycle devices through a verified recycler.

Can E-waste Be Recycled?

Electronic waste recycling is challenging because discarded electronic devices are sophisticated and manufactured from varying proportions of glass, metals, and plastics. The process of recycling depends upon the materials being recycled and the technologies employed.

• Collection and transportation are the initial stages of the recycling process for E-waste. Recyclers place collection bins or electronics take-back booths in specific locations and transport the collected E-waste from these sites to recycling plants and facilities.

• Shredding, sorting, and separation after collection and transportation to recycling facilities. Electronic waste materials are processed and separated into clean commodities that can be used to make new products. Shredding facilitates the sorting and separation of plastics from metals and internal circuitry. E-waste items are then shredded into pieces as small as 100 millimeters to prepare for further sorting. Using heavy magnets, metal pieces are separated and reused. The final separation process locates and extracts any remaining metal remnants from the plastics to further purify the stream.

Conclusion

In this era of technology, increasing electronic waste is an alarming global crisis. E-waste contains electronic components that are discarded and of no use. Electronic waste contains harmful chemicals which cause environmental pollution and potential health problems. The human body is exposed to the harmful chemicals present in E-waste due to inhalation, skin absorption, or ingestion which results in harmful side effects. As the demand for electronic devices increases day by day, everybody must develop responsible legislation to reduce the amount of electronic waste and increase the use of new recycling technologies to minimize the toxicological impacts.