Dangers of e-Waste
What Are The Dangers Of eWaste?
Hazardous Materials In The Water and Air
Of the 2.25 million tons of TVs, cell phones and computer products ready for end-of-life
management, 18 percent was collected for recycling and 82 percent was disposed of, in a
single year, primarily in landfills, according to the
EPA.
This means lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium and polyvinyl chlorides, and other heavy metals whose known toxicological effects range from brain damage to kidney disease to mutations and cancers, could end up in the water you drink or the air you breathe.
In the U.S. alone, the EPA estimates that nearly 40 million computers become obsolete each year. In addition to computers, devices such as televisions, computer accessories, printers, scanners, fax machines, cell phones and more are also considered e-waste.
Hazardous materials are in computer electronics
PC Chassis & Plastic Shell
Hexavalent chromium is applied to steel plates for corrosion protection. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) are used as flame retardant in computer plastics. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) components, when burned, give off highly toxic dioxin fumes.
Monitors
Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) contain approximately 4-7 pounds of lead in the radiation shielding of the glass and in lead solder on wires and connections. Barium can also be found in the glass shielding. Phosphorus is in the inside coating of the faceplate. Hexavalent chromium is applied to galvanized steel parts to prevent corrosion.
Circuit boards
Lead solder is used to connect semiconductors and other components and wires to motherboards and integrated chip sets. Cadmium can be found in semiconductors and resistors. Beryllium is often found on boards and connectors. Printed circuit boards contain mercury.
Wires
Plastic covers of wires
both inside and outside of a PC contain PBDE and PVC which, when burned, release toxic fumes.
