E-Waste & its Negative Effects on the Environment
Electronic waste, also known as e-waste, is any electronic product, or product containing
electronic components, that has reached the end of its usable life cycle. Unbeknownst to
many consumers, electronics actually contain toxic substances - therefore they must be
handled with care when no longer wanted or needed. If a product is outdated, consumers
can donate it to someone who might still find it valuable. Many retailers also offer trade-in
programs or incentives for people looking to upgrade electronics that require the surrender
of an older model; the retailers are able to reuse or repurpose the older models. However, if
a product is totally unusable or broken, instead of just being thrown in the garbage, it must
be thrown away by a certified e-waste hauler or recycler, or taken to a designated drop-off at
a government building, school or organization as e-waste can potentially cause harm to
humans, animals and the global environment if disposed of improperly.
The consequences of improper e-waste disposal in landfills or other non-dumping sites pose
serious threats to current public health and can pollute ecosystems for generations to come.
When electronics are improperly disposed and end up in landfills, toxic chemicals are
released, impacting the earth’s air, soil, water and ultimately, human health.
The Negative Effects on Air
Contamination in the air occurs when e-waste is informally disposed by dismantling,
shredding or melting the materials, releasing dust particles or toxins, such as dioxins, into
the environment that cause air pollution and damage respiratory health. E-waste of little
value is often burned, but burning also serves a way to get valuable metal from electronics,
like copper. Chronic diseases and cancers are at a higher risk to occur when burning e-
waste because it also releases fine particles, which can travel thousands of miles, creating
numerous negative health risks to humans and animals. Higher value materials, such as
gold and silver, are often removed from highly integrated electronics by using acids,
desoldering, and other chemicals, which also release fumes in areas where recycling is not
regulated properly. The negative effects on air from informal e-waste recycling are most
dangerous for those who handle this waste, but the pollution can extend thousands of miles
away from recycling sites
The air pollution caused by e-waste impacts some animal species more than others, which
may be endangering these species and the biodiversity of certain regions that are chronically
polluted. Over time, air pollution can hurt water quality, soil and plant species, creating
irreversible damage in ecosystems. For instance, an informal recycling hub in Guiyu, China
that was formed by parties interesting in extracting valuable metals from e-waste, and
subsequently has caused the region to have extremely high lead levels in the air, which are
inhaled and then ingested when returned to water and soil. This can cause disproportionate
neurological damage to larger animals, wildlife and humans in the area.
The Negative Effects on Soil
When improper disposal of e-waste in regular landfills or in places where it is dumped
illegally, both heavy metals and flame retardants can seep directly from the e-waste into the
soil, causing contamination of underlying groundwater or contamination of crops that may be
planted near by or in the area in the future. When the soil is contaminated by heavy metals,
the crops become vulnerable to absorbing these toxins, which can cause many illnesses and
doesn’t allow the farmland to be as productive as possible.
When large particles are released from burning, shredding or dismantling e-waste, they
quickly re-deposit to the ground and contaminate the soil as well, due to their size and
weight. The amount of soil contaminated depends on a range of factors including
temperature, soil type, pH levels and soil composition. These pollutants can remain in the
soil for a long period of time and can be harmful to microorganisms in the soil and plants.
Ultimately, animals and wildlife relying on nature for survival will end up consuming affected
plants, causing internal health problems.
The Negative Effects on Water
After soil contamination, heavy metals from e-waste, such as mercury, lithium, lead and
barium, then leak through the earth even further to reach groundwater. When these heavy
metals reach groundwater, they eventually make their way into ponds, streams, rivers and
lakes. Through these pathways, acidification and toxification are created in the water, which
is unsafe for animals, plants and communities even if they are miles away from a recycling
site. Clean drinking water becomes problematic to find.
Acidification can kill marine and freshwater organisms, disturb biodiversity and harm
ecosystems. If acidification is present in water supplies, it can damage ecosystems to the
point where recovery is questionable, if not impossible.
The Negative Effects on Humans
As mentioned, electronic waste contains toxic components that are dangerous to human
health, such as mercury, lead, cadmium, polybrominated flame retardants, barium and
lithium. The negative health effects of these toxins on humans include brain, heart, liver,
kidney and skeletal system damage. It can also considerably affect the nervous and
reproductive systems of the human body, leading to disease and birth defects. Improper
disposal of e-waste is unbelievably dangerous to the global environment, which is why it is
so important to spread awareness on this growing problem and the threatening aftermath. To
avoid these toxic effects of e-waste, it is crucial to properly e-cycle, so that items can be
recycled, refurbished, resold, or reused. The growing stream of e-waste will only worsen if
not educated on the correct measures of disposal.
Ref : https://elytus.com/
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