Hi readers! For this blog post, I am writing on the problem of E-waste, as a recent type of waste issue globally and its accompanied effects on air pollution.

In this modern era, where most world citizens are hungry for the latest new technology update on new smartphone models, there is a hidden cost that follows this issue such as an environmental cost. A rise in the number of e-waste often comes from smartphones, tablets, and other forms of electronic waste. Apple alone sold 46.89 million iPhones in the 3rd quarter in 2018 (Tankovska & 21, 2020).

When people buy new electronic gadgets, old gadgets are get rid of. This forms a continuous cycle that results in the rise of electronic waste (Gangwar et al., 2019). With further advancements in telecommunication technologies and the internet, this could result in consumers to purchase the latest gadgets with such new technology. For example, the recent introduction of 5G as a new generation technology standard that promises users with faster download and speeds could result in a further rise in electronic waste. This could lead to a dramatic rise in e-waste as old and obsolete electronic gadgets and other forms of interfaces become incompatible with 5G.

The problem of e-waste is that it can contain harmful materials like mercury and beryllium that pose environmental risks. The e-waste recycling activities can pose a high risk to the environment and human health. . E-waste consists toxic heavy metals such as Pb (lead), Cr (chromium), Ni (nickel), Cd (cadmium) and Hg (mercury) and others (Gangwar et al., 2019). Heavy metals are the most persistent forms of pollutants due to their resistance to breakdown further in their natural conditions. When heavy metals accumulate in the environment, they accumulate up to toxic levels and heave negative impact on environment and health effects.

In India, there are a large number of recycling sites and recovery of useful materials from e-waste. The main centre is where the majority of informal activities of recycling of e-waste takes place, often via open burning of printed circuit boards (PCBs) of e-waste is Moradabad (Gangwar et al., 2019). Activities associated with recycling e-wastes result in people who are exposed to such hazardous substances, including acute lung damage from the inhalation of fumes of heavy metals such as Pb and Cd. The release of air pollutants from burning of e-waste creates fine particulate matter, which is linked to pulmonary and cardiovascular disease. From the study, illegal e-waste recycling was a major driver of a rise in PM10 concentration, which exceeded from National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQ) standard given by Central Pollution Control Board of India CPCB at the e-waste burning site (Gangwar et al., 2019).

 

The vast majority of e-waste in India is processed by hand. (https://www.eco-business.com/news/electronic-waste-is-recycled-in-appalling-conditions-in-india/)

 

In conclusion, various forms of e-waste processing by the informal sector of recycling e-waste have led to high levels of air particulate matter, which raised the issue of possible the spread of air pollutants of some of the metals with a serious public health concern. The study also reports the highest prevalence of hypertension in the e-waste area, which suggests the correlation between chronic exposure to e-waste and cardiovascular risk factor (Gangwar et al., 2019). Thus, the prolonged exposure of heavy metals and its high levels of toxins in the environment could result in high morbidity among the residents.

 

For the next blog post, I will be sharing on some essential tips to reduce our e-waste that can be practiced at the individual and household level.

Till next time!

 

References:

Gangwar, C., Choudhari, R., Chauhan, A., Kumar, A., Singh, A., & Tripathi, A. (2019). Assessment of air pollution caused by illegal e-waste burning to evaluate the human health risk. Environment International, 125, 191–199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2018.11.051 

 

Tankovska, P. by H., & 21, S. (2020, September 21). Apple iPhone sales. Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/263401/global-apple-iphone-sales-since-3rd-quarter-2007/.