Environment: E waste – Electronic Waste Major Pollutants

‘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 up of treatment plants in PPP mode.