E-waste refers to discarded electronic devices and products that are nearing the end of their useful lives. It is a growing problem because electronics contain hazardous materials like lead, cadmium, and brominated flame retardants, yet products are quickly discarded and materials are difficult to recycle properly. If e-waste is not managed or recycled correctly, the toxins can leach into the environment and pose serious health risks like cancer, neurological damage, and developmental issues. To reduce e-waste, individuals should try to sell, donate or repair old electronics if possible, educate others about the issue, and pressure government officials to implement better recycling and disposal programs.
3. • Electronic waste or e-waste describes
discarded electrical or electronic devices.
OR
• E-waste is a popular, informal name for
electronic products nearing the end of their
"useful life“ or no longer wanted.
4. Why is E- waste a problem ??
• Composed of hazardous material.
• Products are quickly discarded.
• Electronics materials are very difficult to
recycle.
• Discarded materials are managed badly .
• Most recyclers don’t recycle the export.
5. Constituents of E Waste
• PCB, TBBA, PBB, PBDE, CFC, PVC
Halogenated compounds
• Arsenic, Barium,Beryllium, Cadmium, Chromium VI , Lead, Lithium,
Mercury, Nickel , Selenium
Heavy metals and other metals
• Americium
Radio-active substances
6. Their health hazards
Components Used in Health Hazards
Arsenic light emitting diodes Chronic exposure leads to
various skin disease, decrease
nerve conduction velocity , also
leads to lung cancer
Americium Medical Equipments, Fire
detectors, smoke alarms
Concentrated within bone
Barium Sparkplugs, fluorescent
lamps
Brain swelling, muscle weakness,
damage to heart, liver and
spleen
Beryllium Power supply boxes Carcinogenic, exposure leads to
skin disease
Cadmium Rechargeable Ni-Cd
batteries, Fluorescent layers,
Printer inks and toners,
photocopying machines.
Easily accumulated caused
poisoning, acute exposure- flue
like symptoms of weakness,
fever, headache, sweating,
muscular pain, liver cancer,
kidney damage.
7. Components Used in Health Hazards
Chromium Data Tapes, floppy disk , Widely
used
Irritation to eye, skin,
mucous membrane
Lead Lead –acid batteries, electronic
components, printed writing
boards
Short term – Vomiting ,
diarrhea, Coma or even
death.
Other effects- abdominal
pain, sleeplessness,
headache, affect the
kidney
Mercury Fluorescent lamps, Some alkaline
batteries, and mercury wetted
switches
Most toxic bioaccumulated
causing liver and brain
damage
Nickel Rechargeable Ni- Cd batteries,
electron gun in CRT
Become Carcinogenic and
toxic with high dosage
Selenium Older photo copying machines Exposure to high conc.
caused Seleonsis cause hair
loss, nail brittleness
8. Components Used in Health Hazards
PCBs (Polychlorinated
biphenyls)
Heat transfer fluids ,
Plastics
Cause cancer, health
effects including immune
system, reproduction
systems, Nervous systems
PVC ( Polyvinyl chloride) Plastics, everyday
electronics and appliances,
household items and pipes.
It contains 56% of chlorine
which when burned
produce Hydrogen chloride
gas which combines with
water forms Hydrochloric
Acid
CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) Cooling units and
insulation foam
Skin cancer,
Genetic damage in many
organisms
9. How we can reduce E Waste
Stem the Spread
Sell or Donate
Go Local
Educate and Organize
Talk to Government Officials