E-waste problem

While computers become smaller and more powerful, their environmental impacts are increasing. The materials- and energy-intense production process, greater adoption of PCs worldwide, plus the rapid rate at which they are discarded for newer machines, add up to growing mountains of garbage and increasingly serious contributions to resource depletion, environmental pollution and climate change.

It is estimated that 75% of electronic items are stored due to uncertainty of how to manage it. These electronic junks lie unattended in houses, offices, warehouses etc. and normally mixed with household wastes, which are finally disposed off at landfills.

FACTS:

Manufacturing an average desktop computer with monitor requires at least 10 times its weight in fossil fuels and chemicals to manufacture, much more materials intensive than an automobile or refrigerator, which only require 1-2 times their weight in fossil fuels.

According to a study done by Eric D. Williams, of the United Nations University, 8,840 MegaJoules are consumed for the production and use of a personal computer with a 17” monitor. 8,840 MJ is equivalent to 3.34 metric tons of CO2 or enough electricity to keep an 80 watt light bulb running constantly for three and a half years.

Electronics contain lead, mercury, cadmium, and polybrominated flame retardants. And the plastic casings of these products contain polyvinyl chloride. All are persistent, bioaccumulative toxins (PBTs) that can create environmental and health risks when computers are incinerated, landfilled or melted down. These toxins can leach into groundwater and create cancer-producing dioxins when burned. The Environmental Protection Agency considers CRTs hazardous waste and says that lead can make up as much as 25% of the weight of monitors.

It is commonly used in the electrical and electronics industry in solder, lead-acid batteries, electronic components, cable sheathing, in the glass of CRTs etc. Short-term exposure to high levels of lead can cause vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, coma or even death. Other symptoms are appetite loss, abdominal pain, constipation, fatigue, sleeplessness, irritability and headache.

Continued excessive exposure to lead, as in an industrial setting, can affect the kidneys. It is particularly dangerous for young children because it can damage nervous connections and cause blood and brain disorders.