It is undeniable that electronics have changed the way society interacts. From computers, that have led to massive changes to culture and the internet, which led to cell phones that are more powerful than the oldest supercomputer. Without these electronics, humans could not have surpassed the technology of 1870 as exponentially fast as we have. Though with our demand for electronic components is rising as quickly as the evolution of the industry, there is always a disposal issue.
Most electronics contain strongly toxic materials including Lead, Cadmium, Chromium and Lithium, Beryllium and more. All of these elements are used as either reinforcement for strength, to create better transistors and provide general improvements to electric current and as well as pricing. These compounds are usually burned in order to both facilitate space and to retrieve small amounts of these resources from the waste. This burning creates extremely toxic fumes that can create severe central nervous system damage, especially in children. Children's smaller body mass compared to adults makes their environmental intake of the toxins through air, food and water more potent compared to that of adults. Increased risk of toxin exposure will rise negatively impacting the proper development of several human systems.
These fumes will eventually dissolve or mix into soil, the water or the air. Even small amounts of lithium can cause large explosions in response to the presence of water. E-Waste is an extreme concern to developing nations, who use the waste as means of income by attempting to burn the object to retrieve the copper and gold within (World Health Organisation). The rise of these products create toxic by-products as well, making electronics a toxic nightmare from start to end.
Through all this, only minimal action has been done internationally, though is not due to lack of effort. The WHO has called upon many for a call of action against E-waste. Initial support is being provided by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), the United States’ National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (WHO). Through this, there haven’t been many noteworthy results. There must be in the near future before continued dumping of e-waste increases to detrimental levels.
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