E-Waste: A Global Hazard

Abstract

E-waste recycling is necessary but it should be conducted in a safe and standardized manor. The acceptable risk thresholds for hazardous, secondary e-waste substances should not be different for developing and developed countries. However, the acceptable thresholds should be different for children and adults given the physical differences and pronounced vulnerabilities of children. Improving occupational conditions for all e-waste workers and striving for the eradication of child labor is non-negotiable.

China's toxic informal e-waste recycling: local approaches to a global environmental problem

“…E-waste can be defined as, "end-of-life electronic products including computers, printers, photocopy machines, television sets, mobile phones, and toys, which are made of sophisticated blends of plastics, metals, among other materials" (Wong et al, 2007:133). The EU WEEE directive defines it as, "electrical or electronic equipment which is waste ( … ) including all components, sub-assemblies and consumables" (Directive, 2002/96/ECArticle 3b), or any items which have a battery or a power cord (Perkins et al, 2014). In developing countries, widespread improper informal e-waste recycling has led to severe water and air pollution, soil contamination, and health effects since products contain high amounts of hazardous materials, including heavy metals and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).…”

Life cycle assessment of flame retardants in an electronics application

“…Estimations by different stakeholders differ strongly (Cobbing 2008;European Commission 2008b;Perkins et al 2014;Robinson 2009;WEEE forum 2010). A detailed investigation on WEEE flows is available for The Netherlands (Huisman et al 2012).…”

Global health and environmental pollution

“…Workers and communities in LMICs are increasingly exposed to toxic chemicals, often under highly uncontrolled conditions. Examples include the Bhopal disaster in India (Mishra et al 2009); the continuing global trade of 2 million tons per year of newly produced asbestos (Frank and Joshi 2014); the shipment into poor countries of 45 million tons per year of e-waste (Perkins et al 2014); informal recycling of car batteries for lead scrap in third world mega-cities; and enormous releases of mercury to the environment from artisanal gold mining.…”