We aimed to summarise the evidence relating to the possible association between exposure to ewaste and health, and outcomes related to education and violence. Ewaste, production and generation, developing countries, health impact. What are the effects of e waste on humans and our environment. E waste is the most rapidly growing waste problem in the world. Niehs spurs investigation into the health effects of ewaste. Electronic waste also called as e waste is nothing but any and all electronic items needed to be disposed of. The fraction including iron, copper, aluminum, gold, and other metals in ewaste is over 60%, while plastics account for about 30% and the hazardous pollutants comprise only about. Used electronics which are destined for refurbishment, reuse, resale, salvage recycling through material recovery, or disposal are also considered e waste. This is a list of the most common toxic materials found in e waste and the health issues caused by prolonged exposure when handled unsafely. Ewaste is the most rapidly growing waste problem in the world. Disposal and management of hazardous waste are worldwide challenges. Human health hazards electronic devices contain toxic materials known as hazardous electronic waste hew. This is a list of the most common toxic materials found in ewaste and the health issues caused by prolonged exposure when handled unsafely.
Rapid technological developments, as well as fast obsolescence of electronic products, have led to the existence of large quantities of electronic and. E waste is a popular, informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their useful life. How e waste is harmful to your health the toxic components in e waste have the ability to damage almost every system in the human body. The human cost of ewaste the staggering effects of ewaste on the human body. Effects on environment and human health petheeswari vetrivel, 1 and p. In developing countries, where most informal and primitive ewaste recycling occurs, workers and others who live near these recycling facilities are exposed to dangerous. Toxicology and public health issues discusses the major public health concerns due to the presence of toxic chemicals that are generated from improper recycling and disposal practices of electronic waste ewaste. The available scientific evidence on the wasterelated health effects is not conclusive, but suggests the possible occurrence of serious adverse effects, including mortality, cancer, reproductive health, and milder effects affecting wellbeing. Informal processing of ewaste in developing countries can lead to adverse human health effects and.
The world is fighting many different ecological crises, but one you dont hear about as often is the problem of electronic waste or ewaste. Electronic waste university of california, berkeley. Mumbai is the leading generator of e waste and tops with 11,017 tonesyear followed by delhi, bangalore. Effect of e waste on environmentelement effect on environmentlead damage to central and peripheral nervous systems, blood systems and kidney damage. Every year, 20 to 50 million tons of ewaste are produced worldwide.
Electronic equipments contain many hazardous metallic contaminants such as lead, cadmium, and beryllium and brominated flameretardants table 1. Dna damagecadmium toxic irreversible effects on human health. Nih is currently supporting two studies that focus on children and women. The prolonged storing of e waste is caused by lack of e waste policy, absence of proper management methods, and the absence of recycling centers in the city. How ewaste is harmful to your health the toxic components in ewaste have the ability to damage almost every system in the human body. Ewastes are considered dangerous, as certain components of some electronic products contain materials that are hazardous, depending on their condition and density. E waste consists of discarded televisions, cellular. Beyond the evidences that e waste represents a threat to the. Informal processing of e waste in developing countries can lead to adverse human health effects and. An informal survey, conducted in preparation for the who working meeting on e waste and child health, showed that research on the health effects of e waste recycling is scant. Exposure to e waste is a unique variable in itself and the exposures implicated should be considered as a whole. Effects of electronic waste on health and environment. The human and environmental effects of ewaste population. However, most are unaware of the harmful effects that improper e waste handling has on their health.
An informal survey, conducted in preparation for the who working meeting on ewaste and child health, showed that research on the health effects of ewaste recycling is scant. Electronic waste ewaste has emerged as a critical global environmental health issue because of its massive production volume and insufficient management policy in many countries ogunseitan et al. While the health implications of ewaste are difficult to isolate due to the informal working conditions, poverty, and poor sanitation, several studies in guiyu, a city in southeastern china, offer insight. When improper disposal of e waste in regular landfills or in places where it is dumped illegally, both heavy metals and flame retardants can seep directly from the e. Therefore, despite significant recycling, e waste is liable for 5000 t cu an. Ewaste includes waste cathode ray tube crt televisions, desktops, laptops, crt monitors, liquid crystal display lcd monitors, cell phones, keyboards.
Every year, 20 to 50 million tons of e waste are produced worldwide. Hence, solid waste management reduces or controls the solid waste pollution and its hazardous effects. Therefore, despite significant recycling, ewaste is liable for 5000 t cu an. Unfortunately, these countries do not have the resources necessary to safely dispose of ewaste so the lives of these laborers are being put at risk. Epa works bilaterally with governments and environmental officials around the world on ewaste management. Read on to find out exactly what the effects of ewaste are. Nov 01, 2017 electronic waste or ewaste describes discarded electrical or electronic devices. However, most are unaware of the harmful effects that improper ewaste handling has on their health. With an estimated 40 million tons of ewaste produced each year, it is becoming increasingly important to understand how exposure to electronic waste ewaste affects human health.
E wastes are considered dangerous, as certain components of some electronic products contain materials that are hazardous, depending on their condition and density. Evidence of the human health effects of e waste exposure will be key to the development of effective protective policies. Toxicology and public health issues discusses the major public health concerns due to the presence of toxic chemicals that are generated from improper recycling and disposal practices of electronic waste e waste. The staggering effects of ewaste on the human body electronic waste is a steadily growing problem for most of the world. Promising policy responses have arisen from the european union, which is defining the source as responsible for e waste.
Computer equipment, monitorstvs, cell phones, batteries, stereos, etc. In developing countries, where most informal and primitive e waste recycling occurs, workers and others who live near these recycling facilities are exposed to dangerous chemicals with potentially longterm adverse health effects. What are the effects of ewaste on humans and our environment. Health impacts in developing countries ehs journal. The united states is the largest generator of e waste worldwide and the only industrialized nation not yet ratifying the basel convention. Provide a quantitative assessment of selected pollutants and chemicals in water and soil at two prominent ewaste recycling sites, mandoli and loni, in and around delhi. How ewaste is harmful to your health ag electronics.
Epa and taiwan environmental protection administration taiwan epa coordinate the international ewaste management network iemn, which has brought together environmental officials from asia, latin america, the caribbean, africa, and north america to. Unfortunately, these countries do not have the resources necessary to safely dispose of e waste so the lives of these laborers are being put at risk. Definitions vary but generally e waste include items like computers, cell phones, copiers, tvs, and microwaves. This report examines the scientific evidence from all sources concerning the health implications of waste incineration, and its costs, explicit and hidden. Primitive methods like burning or washing with hydrochloric acid are used in these regions to. The effects of ewaste on the environment and human health. This includes computing devices such as tablets, ipods, pcs, laptops, televisions and all home appliances.
Ewaste management ppt free download as powerpoint presentation. Ewaste is a popular, informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their useful life. A challenge for sustainable development journal of. In addition to its damaging effect on the environment and its illegal smuggling into developing countries, researchers have now linked ewaste to adverse effects on human health, such as inflammation and oxidative stress precursors to cardiovascular disease, dna damage and possibly cancer. Management of e waste is a significant environmental health concern. Recycling of valuable elements contained in e waste such as copper and gold has become a source of income mostly in the informal sector of developing or emerging industrialized countries.
The concern for the increasing pace of electronic waste generated is urging many countries including mauritius to develop and adopt measures to relieve and control the trend. The use of electrical and electronic equipment eee is rising and the amount of electrical and electronic waste or, ewaste, produced every day is growing at an. The available scientific evidence on the waste related health effects is not conclusive, but suggests the possible occurrence of serious adverse effects, including mortality, cancer, reproductive health, and milder effects affecting wellbeing. Ewaste presents a unique exposure scenario as people are exposed to a complex mixture of chemicals through multiple exposure routes.
Ewaste alone is creating a critical pollution problem in the united states and the world. Electronic waste is a steadily growing problem for most of the world. Bromine is a component in a group of fire retardant chemicals known as brominated flame retardants. Considering that the annual ewaste production approximates 20mt, the total quantities of the several pollutants contained in the ewaste flow result, to a great extent, in landfills or recycling centres affecting the environment andor public health. Exposure to ewaste is a complex process in which many routes and sources of exposure, different lengths of exposure time, and possible inhibitory, synergistic, or additive effects of many chemical exposures are all important variables. Used electronics which are destined for reuse, resale, salvage, recycling, or disposal are also considered ewaste. When improper disposal of ewaste in regular landfills or in places where it is dumped illegally, both heavy metals and flame retardants can seep directly from the e. May 31, 2011 ewaste pollution threat to human health. With an estimated 40 million tons of e waste produced each year, it is becoming increasingly important to understand how exposure to electronic waste e waste affects human health. Firoz khan department of geography, jamia millia islamia. This book highlights hazardous inorganic chemicals found in e waste, including arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury. Front matter waste incineration and public health the.
Custom effects of electronic waste on health and environment. It is a crisis of not quantity alone but also a crisis. Ewaste management project in ethiopia pdf 84 pp, 2. Exposure to e waste is a complex process in which many routes and sources of exposure, different lengths of exposure time, and possible inhibitory, synergistic, or additive effects of many chemical exposures are all important variables. E waste presents a unique exposure scenario as people are exposed to a complex mixture of chemicals through multiple exposure routes. Environmental and health impacts of informal ewaste. Waste is part of the agenda of the european environment and health process and included among the topics of the sixth ministerial conference on environment and health. Ewaste includes computers, entertainment electronics, mobile phones and other items that have been discarded by their original users. Considering that the annual e waste production approximates 20mt, the total quantities of the several pollutants contained in the e waste flow result, to a great extent, in landfills or recycling centres affecting the environment andor public health.
Heavy metals can enter the body through ingestion, inhalation and skin contact. This book highlights hazardous inorganic chemicals found in ewaste, including arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, gallium, iridium, and. We aimed to summarise the evidence relating to the possible association between exposure to e waste and health, and outcomes related to education and violence. Health effects of exposure to ewaste the lancet global. Affects brain development of childrenchromium asthmatic bronchitis. Used electronics which are destined for refurbishment, reuse, resale, salvage recycling through material recovery, or disposal are also considered ewaste. How ewaste is harmful to your health ag electronics recycling. Waste incineration and public health informs the emerging debate with the most uptodate information available on incineration, pollution, and human healthalong with expert conclusions and recommendations for further research and improvement of such areas as risk communication. Such heavy metals include lead, arsenic, and cadmium.
Evidence of the human health effects of ewaste exposure will be key to the development of effective protective policies. Combustion from burning ewaste creates fine particulate matter, which is linked to pulmonary and cardiovascular disease. Informal processing of ewaste in developing countries can lead to adverse human health effects and environmental pollution. The fraction including iron, copper, aluminum, gold, and other metals in e waste is over 60%, while plastics account for about 30% and the hazardous pollutants comprise only about 2. Electronic waste affects nearly every system in the human body because the materials that make up e waste contain a plethora of toxic components, including mercury, lead, cadmium, polybrominated flame retardants, barium, and lithium. Effect of ewaste on environmentelement effect on environmentlead damage to central and peripheral nervous systems, blood systems and kidney damage. Electronic devices contain toxic materials known as hazardous electronic waste hew. It is a crisis of not quantity alone but also a crisis born from toxics ingredients, posing a threat to occupational health as well as the environment. With the usage of electrical and electronic equipment eee on the rise, the amount of electrical and electronic waste e waste produced each day is equally growing enormously around the globe. Pdf ewaste management, disposal and its impacts on the. In addition, researchers have now linked e waste to adverse effects on human health, such as inflammation and oxidative stress precursors to cardiovascular disease, dna damage and possibly cancer and due to the crude recycling process, many pollutants, such as persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals, are released from e. How much e waste exists is a difficult question to answer complicated by lack of a. The authors declare no competing financial interests. Effects of ewaste on the human body ewaste statistics.
Information regarding the growing health dangers of electronic waste. Considering the adverse potential ecotoxicological impacts and diverse health effects of ewaste, an urgent global multilateral agreement is needed addressing its management i. Learn more about its effects and what we can do about it. E waste is an important global environmental and health issue. Electronic waste or ewaste describes discarded electrical or electronic devices. Around % of those 40 million tons are recycled mainly in the developing countries across the world. Electronic waste affects nearly every system in the human body because the materials that make up ewaste contain a plethora of toxic components, including mercury, lead, cadmium, polybrominated flame retardants, barium, and lithium.
Ewaste health hazards and environmental impacts green. Electronic waste e waste has become a critical global environmental health issue due to the large and growing volume of e waste found in the market place and insufficient management policies in many countries ogunseitan et. With this approach, manufacturers are required to eliminate dangerous toxins from production. As e waste breaks down, it releases toxic heavy metals. The use of electrical and electronic equipment eee is rising and the amount of electrical and electronic waste or, e waste, produced every day is growing at an incredible rate around the world today. Exposure to ewaste is a unique variable in itself and the exposures implicated should be considered as a whole. Electronic waste or ewaste is any broken or unwanted electrical or electronic appliance. E waste can pose significant health hazards and negatively impact the environment.
Youre probably aware of the environmental harm caused by this everincreasing waste stream, but recent ewaste statistics tell a troubling story about the harmful effects of ewaste on the human body. The prolonged storing of ewaste is caused by lack of ewaste policy, absence of proper management methods, and the absence of recycling centers in. Youre probably aware of the environmental harm caused by this everincreasing waste stream, but recent ewaste statistics tell a troubling story about the harmful effects of ewaste on the human. Electronic waste or e waste describes discarded electrical or electronic devices. It is associated with cognitive and developmental deficits.
Waste, is a combination of used or unwanted electronic products that have exceeded their shelf life. Studies have shown that bromine contributes to the disruption in the thyroid hormone balance, brain damage and cancer. Discarded electrical and electronic equipment and components, known collectively as e waste, are the most rapidly increasing sources of waste worldwide. In this section, three scary effects of e waste are discussed in greater depth. The national research council nrc established the committee on health effects of waste incineration to assess relationships between human health and incineration of hazardous waste, municipal solid waste, and medical waste. Management of ewaste is a significant environmental health concern. Firoz khan department of geography, jamia millia islamia abstract. Considering the adverse potential ecotoxicological impacts and diverse health effects of e waste, an urgent global multilateral agreement is needed addressing its management i. Niehs spurs investigation into the health effects of e.
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