ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF E-WASTE
Used computers, monitors and other electronic equipment that are disposed of improperly have the potential to contaminate our environment and prematurely fill our existing landfills.
Other than this there are many electronic devices contain high enough levels of toxic materials such as lead, barium, cadmium, and mercury that render them hazardous when disposed.
Circuitry within monitors and other electronic boards contain chromium, copper, and lead that exceed regulatory limits.
The batteries that power many of these types of equipment contain metals such as lead, nickel, cadmium, silver, lithium, and other dangerous metals.
The environmental effects of all this toxic materials on Human health are as follows:
As a result, MPCB passed the Electronic Waste Recycling which designates e-waste as hazardous waste, which by law, cannot be disposed of along with municipal trash. If improperly disposed of, the toxins listed above can be released into the environment through a variety of means including incinerator ash or landfill leachage, and water supply contamination which comes into contact with humans, animals, and nature, causing extremely harmful effects.