‘Electronic waste or e-waste describes discarded electrical or electronic devices. Used electronics which are destined for reuse, resale, salvage, recycling, or disposal are also considered e-waste.
Lead
- Used in glass panels & gaskets in computer monitors
- Used in soldering in printed circuit boards & other components
- Attacks nervous system, Kidneys & reproduction system & endocrine gland
- Impedes Brain development among children
Mercury
- Used in thermostat sensors, relays, switches, medical equipment, mobile phones, lamps & in batteries
- Now a days also used in flat panel displays replacing cathode tubes
- It is estimated that 22% of yearly world consumption of mercury is used in electrical & electronic equipment
- Cause damage to brain, kidneys & foetus (Developing foetus is highly vulnerable to mercury exposure)
- When spread in water forms methyl mercury, which bio accumulates through food chain & spread minamata disease
- Major Sources – Burning coal, Batteries, Thermometer, Barometer, Electric switches and relays, Cosmetics & pharmaceuticals, Lamps & dental amalgam
- Chromium VI
- Used as corrosion protector of untreated & galvanised steel plates & as a haredner for steel housing plastics including PVC
- Largest volume of plastics (26%) used in electronics is PVC, used as cables & in housing computers (Dioxin & Furan is released when PVC is burned – Highly carcinogenic & toxic)
- Chromium VI can cause damage to DNA
Chromium VI
- Used as corrosion protector of untreated & galvanised steel plates & as a hardener for steel housing plastics including PVC
- Largest volume of plastics (26%) used in electronics is PVC, used as cables & in housing computers (Dioxin & Furan is released when PVC is burned – Highly carcinogenic & toxic)
- Chromium VI can cause damage to DNA
Cadmium
- Occurs in SMD chip resistors, infra-red detectors & semiconductor chips
- Some older cathode ray tubes also contain cadmium
- Accumulates in body, especially in kidneys
Brominated Flame Retardant
- Used in plastic housing of electronic equipment & in circuit boards to prevent flammability.
Barium
- A soft silvery white metal, used in computers in front panel of CRT, to protect users from radiation
- Exposure to barium can cause brain swelling, muscle weakness, damage to heart, spleen & liver
Toners
- Found in plastic printer cartridges, containing black & printed toners
- Contains heavy metals & causes respiratory problems
Phosphor
- An inorganic chemical compound applied as a coat on interior of CRT plates
- Phosphor coating on cathode ray tubes contain heavy metals such as cadmium & other rare earth metals (Zinc, vanadium etc.)
- Serious hazard for those who dismantle CRT by hands
E Waste Recycling
- So far, throw money & ship to developing country to dump
- e-waste has been shipped to developing countries where this poses dangers as it is handled by informal sector.
(Management, Handling and Trans Boundary Movement) Rules, 2008
- Import of such wastes for disposal is not permitted except for recycling by the registered units only and with the permission of the Ministry of Environment and Forests and/or Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
- For effective implementation of provisions related to import and export, a coordination committee including representatives from revenue department, DGFT, ministry of shipping, Central Pollution Control Board has been constitute.
- This committee has been working to sensitize the customs authorities regarding enforcement of these rules in order to check illegal import of e-waste into the country.
(Management and Handling) Rules, 2011
- The concept of extended producer responsibility has been enshrined in these rules to make it a mandatory activity for the manufacturers of electronic and electrical equipments.
- Under this the producers are responsible for collection of e-waste generated from the end of life of their products by setting up collection centers. The concept originated in Switzerland
- E-waste recycling can be undertaken only in authorized facilities. Government has started a scheme to provide financial assistance for setting
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