Introduction

E-waste contains numerous toxic elements and chemicals that are damaging to which environment as well as the human body. Electronics equipment has many parts include heavy metals. Heavy metals are metals that have a high molecular weight. These include lead, zinc, nickel, arsenic, copper and cadmium. Heavy metals are a danger to human and animal health because they can accumulate in living tissues. A typical electronic product may contain more than 1,000 elements, some of which are potentially hazards to the environment and human health. For example, in a computer there are 23% plastics, 32% ferrous metals, 18% non-ferrous metals, 12% electronic boards, and 15% glass parts. Only about 50% is recyclable.

The chart below shows materials found in a typical desktop computer.

Environment Hazards

According to the 2002 Environmental Protection Agency report, almost 70% heavy metals contaminates from landfills came from improperly disposed electronic products. Many electronics contain numerous toxic compounds including: lead, cadmium, mercury, Hexavalent Chromium, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), beryllium, and toner. These elements found in electronics are highly toxic and most electronic components are nonbiodegradable. These materials can leak out into the environment causes almost immeasurable amounts of damage. For example, the lead in the electronics accumulates in landfills. Lead has a high acute and chronic toxic effects, very dangerous and harmful, to plants and animals and microorganisms. Cadmium another component in electronics can stay in the environment and can be harmful to humans.

The mercury in computer screens can spread into water supplies and can accumulate in living things and eventually travel up through the food chain. It can spread through fish. Hexavalent Chromium and Brominated Flame Retardants both cause health defects. These components can pollute water, air, and soil.

Effects on Land, Air, and Water

A printer being burned for metals parts in Guiyu, China. Photo used with permission from The Basel Action Network.

Land: Lead and Hexavalent Chromium have harmful effects on the soil and can poison plants and other organisms. Hexavalent chromium is toxic for the environment; it can pollute landfills as well as water.

Air: Cadmium if inhaled will be stored in the kidneys.

H2O: Mercury can accumulate in water and can end up in the water supply. Mercury can also be found in fish that have been in contaminated waters. Brominated flame retardants are insoluble in water and can be found in polluted waters.

Harmful Effects of Metals

Electronic waste ready to be burned outside market in Lagos. Photo used with permission from The Basel Action Network.

Lead
Accumulates in the environment and has a high acute and chronic toxic effects on plants, animals and other microorganisms. Lead is toxic to plants, animals, and microorganisms. Lead is found to contaminate 40% in landfills it can leak into drinking water.

Cadmium
Stores in kidneys when inhaled and it has a chronic toxicity to environment. Cadmium shows numerous ways that it can hurt the environment due to its toxicity.

Mercury
Spreads in water and can accumulate in living organisms, like fish.

Continue to Health Hazards

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References

“Cathode Ray Tube.” Chemistry Daily. 1 January 2007. {http://www.chemistrydaily.com/chemistry/Cathode_ray_tube}

“Chemical Profiles.” Scorecard: The Pollution Information Site. 2005. Green Media Toolshed and GetActive Software. {http://scorecard.org/chemical-profiles/}

“e-Waste Defined.” Electronic Recyclers. 2006. Electronic Recyclers International Inc. {http://www.electronicrecyclers.com/History_Defined.htm}

MPCA, “Glossary.” Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. 22 March 2007. MPCA. {http://www.pca.state.mn.us/gloss/}

“The Great E-Waste Recycling Debate.” UNEP. 2002. United Nations Environment Programme. {http://www.vitalgraphics.net/waste/}