Hazardous substances used in manufacturing of Electronics & Electrical Equipments are responsible for environment pollution.
Some of these substances are:
1. Lead (Pb)
2. Mercury (Hg)
3. Cadmium (Cd)
4. Hexavalent chromium (Cr6+)
5. Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)
6. Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE)
Above substances can be found in:
Computer and its accessories-monitors, printers, keyboards, central processing units; typewriters, mobile phones and chargers, remotes, compact discs, headphones, batteries, LCD/Plasma TVs, air conditioners, refrigerators and other household appliances.
Above mentioned substances pollutes air, soil & water and hence effect health of Plants, Animals & Humans.
Harmful Effects of Lead:
1. In Children:
- Learning disabilities resulting in a decreased intelligence (decreased IQ)
- Attention deficit disorder
- Behavior issues
- Nervous system damage
- Speech and language impairment
- Decreased muscle growth
- Decreased bone growth
- Kidney damage
2. In Adults:
- Increased chance of illness during pregnancy
- Harm to a fetus, including brain damage or death
- Fertility problems in both men and women
- High blood pressure
- Digestive issues
- Nerve disorders
- Memory and concentration problems
- Muscle and joint pain
Such effects of hazardous substances leads to creation of ROHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and WEEE (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipments) directives. From 1st May 2012, it would be illegal to dump ewaste to the local scrap dealer.
WEEE directives apply to following equipments:
- Large household appliances.
- Small household appliances.
- IT & Telecommunications equipment (although infrastructure equipment is exempt in some countries)
- Consumer equipment.
- Lighting equipment—including light bulbs.
- Electronic and electrical tools.
- Toys, leisure, and sports equipment.
- Medical devices (exemption removed in July 2011)
- Monitoring and control instruments (exemption removed in July 2011)
- Automatic dispensers.
- Semiconductor devices
How to solve above problem:
- Reduce
- Reuse
- Recycle
- Disposal
Mayapuri, Seelampur, Shastri Park have big ewaste collection points. Informal scrap dealers are trained by organizations like Giz Ewaste to be formal & organized Ewaste managers with knowledge, certification & authorization from government. To view or submit various electronic waste collection centers available in Delhi click here.