Over the years, computers have broadly enhanced all aspects of human life. However, with the rapid and drastic changes in life, the poor management of e-waste has caused devastating problems. Generally speaking, computer equipment contains a full range of harmful elements and substances, such as cathode ray tubes containing barium and lead oxide, toxic metals, biologically active materials, polyvinyl chloride, plastic additives, chlorinated brominated substances, heavy metals such as lead and cadmium . Mercury and copper cables in circuit boards, flat screens. According to data from the Basel Action Network, 500 million computers worldwide contain 716.7 million kilograms of lead, 2.87 billion kilograms of plastic, and 286,700 kilograms of mercury. If they are burned, they will release toxic gases in the surrounding air and cause various health problems.
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| E-Waste |
Gaskets and glass panels in computer monitors can cause damage to the kidneys, peripheral nervous system, and blood system, and delay the development of the baby's brain.
Semiconductors and chip resistors contain cadmium, which accumulates in various organs, which may cause nerve damage.
The motherboard contains carcinogen beryllium, which may cause chronic beryllium disease and other skin diseases.
Circuit boards and electronic equipment contain brominated flame retardants, which may adversely affect the function of the endocrine system.
CRT contains barium, which can cause damage to the heart, liver, and spleen, as well as muscle weakness.
Relay printed circuit boards and switches contain mercury, which can cause negative damage to the brain, skin and respiratory system
The steel plate contains hexavalent chromium, which can cause asthmatic bronchitis and DNA damage.
- E-waste management
More than 70% of e-waste either enters landfills or is discarded in water, where it enters the human body and causes serious damage. Proper waste management can not only minimize the risk of health consequences, but also improve the global environment.
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| Recycle E- Waste |
- Inventory management
When manufacturing products, it is very important to improve the quality and quantity of materials. Manufacturers can reduce adverse effects by minimizing the use of hazardous substances or using alternatives to non-hazardous materials. On the other hand, users can contribute by purchasing products and upgrades required for a specific period of time. In addition, the approval procedures for pre-marketing hazardous element quantity assessment should be strictly followed.
- Improvement of production process
Improvements in production and maintenance processes are necessary, and it will significantly reduce e-waste and plastic waste management . Either all the hazardous substances used in production can be replaced, or the quantity can be minimized. In addition, it is very important to evoke some strict production and maintenance regulations, and companies should be guided to comply with these regulations. For example, circuit boards can be replaced with solvent-based products and water-based fluxes, solvent vapor degreasers and detergent parts cleaning machines can also be used. Chemicals such as caustic, cyanide, and acid should be stored properly and can only be discharged after proper recovery.
Users should be aware of the penalties for the widespread use of toxic elements in computers. They must be aware of how their initiative will revolutionize waste generation and environmental protection.
- Product reduction
By minimizing or replacing the hazardous part of the waste stream, the volume of the product can be reduced. Manufacturers should ensure that users are provided with complete education about recycling and reusing the equipment they purchase. In addition, manufacturers can use compacted components instead of electronic equipment to minimize the use of cathode ray tubes.
- Recycling:
Recycling can significantly reduce electronic waste disposal. Users should not throw away computers and other electronic publications lightly; instead, they can recycle or donate to schools and other charitable organizations. Printed circuit board manufacturers can recover all possible substances from the tin-lead path and copper and recycle them for reuse
Many more environmental epidemiological studies are required to assess the present status of e-waste management system in India, to assess the e-waste quantities and exact amplitude of the problem in Indian cities, and to establish relationships with the informal recycling sectors
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