Electronic Wastes and the Environment

High-technology gadget is the fashion in today’s generation. Some people think that you are too old or outdated if you do not have the latest type of computer or cellular phones. Even cellular phones are not called as simple as “cell phones” but there are smart phones, iPhone, and palm. Having computers with bulky monitors and CPU is even considered obsolete since there are laptops, iPad, and even phones that can be used as computers. With this advancement in technology, comes the growth of electronic wastes and the environment is the one who suffer.

Since electronic wastes have harmful components that can cause health risk to humans and pollution to the environment, it is very much needed that it is properly disposed and managed. The harmful substance that electronic waste have that is considered a threat to the environment includes lead, copper, tin, mercury, sulphur and many more. Though these substance are also considered part of the environment since these are mostly minerals, but excessive and unprotected exposure to these are considered hazardous. Electronic wastes and environment safety should go hand in hand if these are managed properly.

Recycling and re-using of electronic wastes is considered as part of the most effective solution in controlling the e-waste issues. By means of dismantling the parts and re-using or even just saving it for future use, we can minimize electronic wastes and environment preservation will be achieved since we won’t need to use a new material that came from our natural resources. Manufacturing new materials also emits greenhouse gas that is unsafe for the environment. Re-use electronic wastes and environment safety will be accomplished. But of course, people who will process electronic wastes should be aware of the risk that they are exposed to in this kind of activity.

Even if recycling solved the problems in the growth of electronic wastes and environment safety is already achieved, the people who are exposed to certain hazardous substance should be protected as well.  Some of the negative effects that electronic wastes can affect humans include memory loss, sensory impairment, muscle weakness, dermatitis and many other types of illness. The developing countries who accept the export of electronic wastes should be greatly aware and impose regulation in terms of protecting and providing safety to their population. We should ensure the safety of the population from the hazardous impacts of electronic wastes and environment protection should also be the priority in processing these kinds of waste materials. For more information on how to dispose waste materials properly, check Refuse-Derived Fuel process.