Determine the effects of e-waste pollution

Oct 3
10:25

2016

MARTIN H LUTHER

MARTIN H LUTHER

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Many people around the world still think that recycling is all about sorting out plastic bottles, glass containers, and paper products within the garbage bin that is usually denoted by the traditional triangular-shaped recycle logo. However, along with these materials, electronics recycling is gaining importance in our society. In fact, many countries have banned electronic land filling and are effectively promoting electronics recycling programs

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Today’s modern world is filled with an array of electronic components like televisions,Determine the effects of e-waste pollution Articles cell phones, computers, tablets and god knows what not! But have we ever thought what to do with these electronic gadgets when they are no longer useable? e-waste or  Electronic waste is a combined title for trashed electronic items such as outdated computers, notebooks, batteries consumer electronics, etc. According to the United Nations Environmental Program, the world generates about forty-nine million metric tons of electronic waste every year. Among these forty-nine million metric tons the United States of America alone produces nearly about three million metric tons of electronic wastes. Electronic wastes are illegally dumped into oceans and seas or are sent to landfills. These activities are not only consuming up lots of spaces but are distributing toxic compounds among the human race.  Electronic wastes contain numerous highly toxic and poisonous substances like lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium (chromium VI),  and polybrominated flame retardants that have the ability to play havoc with the environment as well as human life. Here, there is a list of few toxic elements and their effect on human lives;-

Lead- affects the brain severely and leads to life  impairment of the brain development in children. Also, affects the kidneys and the endocrine systems of the adults adversely. After acute concentration in the environment, plants and animals also get affected by this toxic substance.

Mercury- This is another poisonous element that affects and damages human brain and in the case of  developing fetuses causes mental abnormalities, retardation, incoordination, blindness, seizures and inability to speak etc. Mercury usually enters the human food chain through the contaminated fish.

Cadmium- causes cancer of prostate and lungs and adversely damages kidney because it gets deposited in the kidneys first.

Plastics-  burning of plastics generates harmful fumes that can create lungs problem. When plastics are dumped in the soil, it does not get destroyed and stays there for life long leading to serious soil pollution. Ignorant animals while wandering through the garbage dump many times consume plastics that proves extremely dangerous for their health.

Hexavalent chromium- due to the increasing number of allergic and asthma patient in Billerica,  the administrative body has effectively carried on electronics recycling in Billerica on an extensive scale. Hexavalent chromium is such a dangerous element that destroys the reproductive system in males and may cause severe DNA damage.

Polybrominated flame retardants- affect and causes disruption in the endocrine system. Generally, reduces the thyroxine level that is an essential hormone required to regulate the normal development of the humans including all human species.

People, animals, as well as our environment,  have suffered a lot due to improper management of e-waste disposal and e-waste management in the past decades. But thanks to the awareness programs and events that have enlightened people to carry on  electronics recycling in Marlborough and lessen the harmful effect of electronic waste contamination