Social Impact Of Technology By: Carl Lesperance Professer: Emily Brett Wednesday, August 8, 2012

1. HOW IS TECHNOLOGY
DESTROYING OUR WORLD
By Carl Lesperance

2. OVERVIEW
• Introduction
• Heavy Metals in
Electronics
• Where Does E-Waste Go?
• E-Waste Innovation
• What Can You Do?
• Conclusions
• References (Engebretson, 2008)

3. INTRODUCTION
• In todays growing world there are growing environmental concerns that
accompany the advancement of technology.
• Everything we make as a products or offer as services has hidden
environmental consequences.
• Sometimes we do not understand the potential
risks of technology until something goes wrong.
• Even though there is a growing risk, there are
ways that technology is helping the environment.
(Do Something, n d)

4. INTRODUCTION
• With the increase of technology the more demand for electronics and
computers there is. Also with technology improving faster electronics
deprecate faster causing an influx in electronic waste (E-waste).
• The United States dumps between 300 million and 400 million electronic
items per year, and less than 20% of that E-waste is recycled (Do
Something, n d).
• Most of the electronic boards contain heavy metals and other harmful
materials. Some examples of these materials are Lead, Mercury, Cadmium,
and Lithium.

5. HEAVY METALS IN ELECTRONICS
• E-Waste accounts for 70% of overall toxic waste currently found in landfills
(Earth 911, n d).
• Most of these materials are found to be carcinogenic which means can cause
cancer over time. Some of these are already found in our drinking water just
in to small of amount to cause any damage according to drinking water
standards.
• Portable Electronics have batteries the
two main types are Nickel Cadmium, or
Lithium Ion. These are carcinogenic
and are known to cause lung and liver
damage when consumed via water.
(Engebretson, 2008)

6. HEAVY METALS IN ELECTRONICS
• It only take a small amount of these materials to become harmful to the
drinking water supply, groundwater, or soils in the area.
• To remediate these materials can cost millions and it is way more cost
effective to stop the problem before it happens.
• Lead can be one of the most lethal of all of these materials. It is found in the
cathode ray tubes of older Televisions. It is also found in cell phones and
computers. A piece of lead the size of a fishing sinker or weight is enough if
swallowed to kill an adult trumpeter Swan.

7. WHERE DOES E-WASTE GO?
• When recycled some E-waste is sent to third
world countries such as India or China. This is
because it is more cost effective but it is not
handled properly.
• Third world countries have agreements to not
import or export hazardous waste but this does
not stop some shipments and the E-Waste that
is already there.
• Gold, silver and Copper are removed using
open fires and acid baths. These methods are
unsafe for the people and the environment.
This causes the locals to live in absorbing
these chemicals from the air, soil, and water.

8. E-WASTE INNOVATION
• Since most electronics are made with valuable materials some municipalities
(Barrie) are mining their landfills to remove them. not only does this expand
the life of the landfill but it also reduces the impact of it. This is because of
the removal of harmful materials, and it gives them a chance to improve the
lining on the landfill.
• With the world demanding a greener tomorrow more E-Waste is now being
recycled. E-waste recycling stations are popping up in Communities, Towns,
and Schools (Georgian College Barrie Campus, “A” building).

9. E-WASTE INNOVATION
• With growing innovation companies such as Apple have strived to
manufacture their electronics to be lead, BFR, PVC, mercury, and arsenic
free (Apple, 2012).
(Apple, 2012)

10. WHAT CAN YOU DO?
• Be aware that everything you throw out
has an impact and learn to divert waste
to the proper programs offered.
• Increase awareness about these
problems before they become a bigger
threat.
• Be a smart consumer and by electronics
that are environmentally friendly.
(Levin, 2011)
• Dispose of E-waste properly and make
sure it is being processed in our country
safely.

11. CONCLUSIONS
• Although they are improving, the current and past procedures of handling
Electronic waste have had a negative impact on our planet.
• Electronics need to be improved so they do not contain harmful materials.
• Companies need to decrease the deprecation of their electronics so that
they do not get replaced so easily. This will cause less electronics to be
manufactured causing less E-Waste.
(Levin, 2011)

12. REFERENCES
Apple. (2012) The story behind apples carbon footprint. Retrieved from
http://www.apple.com/environment/
Do Something. ( n,d.) 11 Facts about E-Waste. Retrieved from
http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-e-waste
Earth 911. (n,d.) E-waste: Harmful Materials. Retrieved from
http://earth911.com/recycling/electronics/e-waste-harmful-materials/
Engebretson, M. (October, 2008). Electronic Waste. Retrieved from
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/enge/ewaste/
Kielburger, C. Keilburger, M. (April, 2008) Toxic E-waste pouring into Third World. Retrieved
from http://www.thestar.com/news/globalvoices/article/416548--toxic-e-waste-pouring-
into-third-world
Levin, H. (June, 2011) Electronic Waste (E-Waste) Recycling and Disposal – Facts, Statistics
& Solutions. Retrieved from http://www.moneycrashers.com/electronic-e-waste-recycling-
disposal-facts/
Moussan, G. (December, 2009). Effect of Information Technology on the Environment.
Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqqC--LxAyY
Volti, R. (2008). Society and technological change (sixth edition). New York: Worth Publishers.