The Emerging Environmental and Public Health Problem of Electronic Waste in India
| Autor: | Renu Shahrawat, Meena Kapahi, Veenu Joon |
|---|---|
| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2017 |
| Předmět: |
medicine.medical_specialty
Engineering Health Toxicology and Mutagenesis Digital gap Legislation 010501 environmental sciences 01 natural sciences Electronic waste Civil engineering environmental impact lcsh:TD1-1066 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine Indian scenario health effects medicine Environmental impact assessment lcsh:Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering Enforcement 0105 earth and related environmental sciences business.industry Public health e-waste Public Health Environmental and Occupational Health Environmental economics 030210 environmental & occupational health Pollution Information and Communications Technology Commentary business Waste disposal |
| Zdroj: | Journal of Health & Pollution Journal of Health and Pollution, Vol 8, Iss 15, Pp 1-7 (2017) |
| ISSN: | 2156-9614 |
| Popis: | Background. Monumental progress has been made in the area of information and communication technology, leading to a tremendous increase in use of electronic equipment, especially computers and mobile phones. The expansion of production and consumption of electronic equipment along with its shorter life span has led to the generation of tremendous amounts of electronic waste (e-waste). In addition, there is a high level of trans-boundary movement of these devices as second-hand electronic equipment from developed countries, in the name of bridging the digital gap. Objectives. This paper reviews e-waste produced in India, its sources, composition, current management practices and their environmental and health implications. Fixing responsibility for waste disposal on producers, establishment of formal recycling facilities, and strict enforcement of legislation on e-waste are some of the options to address this rapidly growing problem. Discussion. The exponential growth in production and consumption of electronic equipment has resulted in a surge of e-waste generation. Many electronic items contain hazardous substances including lead, mercury and cadmium. Informal recycling or disposing of such items pose serious threat to human health and the environment. Conclusions. Strict enforcement of waste disposal laws are needed along with the implementation of health assessment studies to mitigate inappropriate management of end-of-life electronic wastes in developing countries. Competing Interests. The authors declare no financial competing interests. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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