223
12.3 Environmental Implication of E-waste
In developing nations, widespread unscientific methods of E-waste recycling have
caused severe contamination of soil, water, air and adverse health effects as these
products have a high concentration of harmful materials like heavy metals and
persistent organic pollutants. E-wastes comprise different materials; most of them
are toxicant and cause serious environmental problems (Pant et al. 2012; Chatterjee
2008). Two major kinds of substances are released from E-waste, viz. hazardous
(heavy metals, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans) and nonhazardous
(metals like Cu, Zn and Se along with precious metals like Au, Ag, Pt, etc.) (Awasthi
et al. 2016; Wei et al. 2014; Zeng 2014; Zhang et al. 2013). Both types of E-waste
cause potential harmful impact on the environment if present beyond their
permissible limit (Pant 2010). During processing of these E-wastes, a significant
amount of toxic compounds are released which causes a detrimental effect on
human well-being and the surrounding environment (Robinson 2009; Shen et al.
2009).
Additionally, around 80% of E-waste is illegally transported from advanced to
developing nations like India, China, Ghana, Nigeria, and Pakistan because of
governmental negligence, lack of stringent policies and lower cost of labour
(Pradhan and Kumar 2014; Sthiannopkao and Wong 2013). Several scientists have
investigated that workshop sites for processing/transforming of E-waste release
toxic substances that contaminate natural surrounding environment (Kwatra et al.
2014; Wu et al. 2014; Stevels et al. 2013). In continuation, many scientists have
documented heavy metal contamination in the surrounding environment (water, air
and soil) near recycling workshops mainly in developing nations (Leung et al. 2006,
2007, 2008; Wong et al. 2007).
Leaching is the process through which harmful contaminants enter aquatic systems where processed and unprocessed waste may be deposited. Likewise, settling/
dissolution of airborne contaminants or hydrometallurgical processes followed by
acid disposal penetrate into water or soil thus contaminating soil and aquatic systems. However, e-waste contaminants enter human body via skin absorption, inhalation and ingestion by dust-laden air (Mielke and Reagan 1998). A parallel study
by Ha et al. (2009) indicated that dust-laden air near E-waste processing workshops
in Bangalore contains contaminants like Sn, Pb, Sb, Cd, In and Bi at a high level of
91, 89, 13, 1.5, 1.3 and 1.0 ng m
−3
, respectively. Most of the E-waste in developing
nations are dealt with little concern often by acid baths and open burning for recovery of a few valuable materials. Result of these processes are harmful contaminants
like polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polychlorinated biphenyls, heavy metals,
dioxins, furans are observed in surrounding environments, workers and nearby residents. Hence, the environmental impact of the pollutants (polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, heavy metals) must be discussed extensively
regarding the health and safety of workers or the environment.
12 E-waste and Their Implications on the Environment and Human Health
12.3 Environmental Implication of E-waste
In developing nations, widespread unscientific methods of E-waste recycling have
caused severe contamination of soil, water, air and adverse health effects as these
products have a high concentration of harmful materials like heavy metals and
persistent organic pollutants. E-wastes comprise different materials; most of them
are toxicant and cause serious environmental problems (Pant et al. 2012; Chatterjee
2008). Two major kinds of substances are released from E-waste, viz. hazardous
(heavy metals, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans) and nonhazardous
(metals like Cu, Zn and Se along with precious metals like Au, Ag, Pt, etc.) (Awasthi
et al. 2016; Wei et al. 2014; Zeng 2014; Zhang et al. 2013). Both types of E-waste
cause potential harmful impact on the environment if present beyond their
permissible limit (Pant 2010). During processing of these E-wastes, a significant
amount of toxic compounds are released which causes a detrimental effect on
human well-being and the surrounding environment (Robinson 2009; Shen et al.
2009).
Additionally, around 80% of E-waste is illegally transported from advanced to
developing nations like India, China, Ghana, Nigeria, and Pakistan because of
governmental negligence, lack of stringent policies and lower cost of labour
(Pradhan and Kumar 2014; Sthiannopkao and Wong 2013). Several scientists have
investigated that workshop sites for processing/transforming of E-waste release
toxic substances that contaminate natural surrounding environment (Kwatra et al.
2014; Wu et al. 2014; Stevels et al. 2013). In continuation, many scientists have
documented heavy metal contamination in the surrounding environment (water, air
and soil) near recycling workshops mainly in developing nations (Leung et al. 2006,
2007, 2008; Wong et al. 2007).
Leaching is the process through which harmful contaminants enter aquatic systems where processed and unprocessed waste may be deposited. Likewise, settling/
dissolution of airborne contaminants or hydrometallurgical processes followed by
acid disposal penetrate into water or soil thus contaminating soil and aquatic systems. However, e-waste contaminants enter human body via skin absorption, inhalation and ingestion by dust-laden air (Mielke and Reagan 1998). A parallel study
by Ha et al. (2009) indicated that dust-laden air near E-waste processing workshops
in Bangalore contains contaminants like Sn, Pb, Sb, Cd, In and Bi at a high level of
91, 89, 13, 1.5, 1.3 and 1.0 ng m
−3
, respectively. Most of the E-waste in developing
nations are dealt with little concern often by acid baths and open burning for recovery of a few valuable materials. Result of these processes are harmful contaminants
like polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polychlorinated biphenyls, heavy metals,
dioxins, furans are observed in surrounding environments, workers and nearby residents. Hence, the environmental impact of the pollutants (polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, heavy metals) must be discussed extensively
regarding the health and safety of workers or the environment.
12 E-waste and Their Implications on the Environment and Human Health