| Have you ever considered what happens to your | | | | Environmental and health problems are being caused |
| television, cordless phone, or MP3 player after it | | | | by disassembly without safety measures, |
| breaks or becomes obsolete? Consumer electronics | | | | uncontrolled burning, and haphazard disposal. |
| produce approximately 3 million tons of commodity | | | | The waste that remains from consumer electronics |
| and electronic waste, or e-waste, every year. Where | | | | consists of lead, Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), |
| does e-waste go after it is thrown out, and how | | | | mercury, and cadmium. Besides being very toxic, |
| does its byproduct affect the environment and your | | | | PCB's have been blamed for causing cancer in many |
| health? | | | | studies. If they are not disposed of correctly, they |
| Due to the difficulty found in the cost of recycling | | | | can contaminate soil and water, and sooner or later |
| electronics and poor enforcement of legislation with | | | | will enter the food chain. Toxic fumes are generated |
| respect to the export of e-waste, huge amounts of | | | | when waste materials are burned, which not only |
| used electronic components are sent to China, | | | | depletes the ozone level, but also creates health |
| Kenya, and India. Though very hazardous, processing | | | | hazards when people inhale the fumes. The central |
| of e-waste is more profitable due to low | | | | nervous system is affected by mercury, lead, and |
| environmental standards and working conditions in | | | | cadmium, which can cause damage to cells and lead |
| these countries. It is important to be considerate | | | | to renal failure. |
| about e-waste disposal. There are facilities available | | | | Don't forget about this the next time you are |
| that specialize in dealing with hazardous material | | | | tempted to just toss away old batteries or electronic |
| properly. | | | | gadgets that you no longer want or need. Our |
| E-waste can be a great source of extra raw | | | | environment can be saved by proper disposal of |
| materials if electronic scraps are properly dealt with | | | | waste through an e-waste recycling center. |
| and correctly organized. When mishandled, however, | | | | Consideration as to the use, reuse, and disposal of |
| they can generate excessive toxins and carcinogens. | | | | consumer electronics is essential due to the potential |
| Throughout the world a lot of problems have | | | | environmental and health problems improper disposal |
| cropped up due to fast paced technology changes, | | | | can cause. |
| actual planned obsolescence, and low initial cost. | | | | |