E-Waste: A Global Hazard

Background: Waste from end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment, known as e-waste, is a rapidly growing global problem. E-waste contains valuable materials that have an economic value when recycled. Unfortunately, the majority of e-waste is recycled in the unregulated informal sector and resu...

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Autores principales:	Devin N. Perkins, Marie-Noel Brune Drisse, Tapiwa Nxele, Peter D. Sly
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	Ubiquity Press 2014
Materias:	children's environmental health developmental toxicology electronic waste e-waste heavy metals Infectious and parasitic diseases RC109-216 Public aspects of medicine RA1-1270
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/2f6bab5a5b654a50980c85a94a48c100
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:2f6bab5a5b654a50980c85a94a48c1002021-12-02T04:04:33ZE-Waste: A Global Hazard2214-999610.1016/j.aogh.2014.10.001https://doaj.org/article/2f6bab5a5b654a50980c85a94a48c1002014-11-01T00:00:00Zhttps://annalsofglobalhealth.org/articles/2059https://doaj.org/toc/2214-9996Background: Waste from end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment, known as e-waste, is a rapidly growing global problem. E-waste contains valuable materials that have an economic value when recycled. Unfortunately, the majority of e-waste is recycled in the unregulated informal sector and results in significant risk for toxic exposures to the recyclers, who are frequently women and children. Objectives: The aim of this study was to document the extent of the problems associated with inappropriate e-waste recycling practices. Methods: This was a narrative review that highlighted where e-waste is generated, where it is recycled, the range of adverse environmental exposures, the range of adverse health consequences, and the policy frameworks that are intended to protect <a title="Learn more about Vulnerable Populations" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/vulnerable-populations">vulnerable populations</a> from inappropriate e-waste recycling practices. Findings: The amount of e-waste being generated is increasing rapidly and is compounded by both illegal exportation and inappropriate donation of electronic equipment, especially computers, from developed to developing countries. As little as 25% of e-waste is recycled in formal recycling centers with adequate worker protection. The health consequences of both direct exposures during recycling and indirect exposures through environmental contamination are potentially severe but poorly studied. Policy frameworks aimed at protecting vulnerable populations exist but are not effectively applied. Conclusions: E-waste recycling is necessary but it should be conducted in a safe and standardized manor. The acceptable risk thresholds for hazardous, secondary e-waste substances should not be different for developing and developed countries. However, the acceptable thresholds should be different for children and adults given the physical differences and pronounced vulnerabilities of children. Improving occupational conditions for all e-waste workers and striving for the eradication of child labor is non-negotiable.Devin N. PerkinsMarie-Noel Brune DrisseTapiwa NxelePeter D. SlyUbiquity Pressarticlechildren's environmental healthdevelopmental toxicologyelectronic wastee-wasteheavy metalsInfectious and parasitic diseasesRC109-216Public aspects of medicineRA1-1270ENAnnals of Global Health, Vol 80, Iss 4, Pp 286-295 (2014)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	children's environmental health developmental toxicology electronic waste e-waste heavy metals Infectious and parasitic diseases RC109-216 Public aspects of medicine RA1-1270
spellingShingle	children's environmental health developmental toxicology electronic waste e-waste heavy metals Infectious and parasitic diseases RC109-216 Public aspects of medicine RA1-1270 Devin N. Perkins Marie-Noel Brune Drisse Tapiwa Nxele Peter D. Sly E-Waste: A Global Hazard
description	Background: Waste from end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment, known as e-waste, is a rapidly growing global problem. E-waste contains valuable materials that have an economic value when recycled. Unfortunately, the majority of e-waste is recycled in the unregulated informal sector and results in significant risk for toxic exposures to the recyclers, who are frequently women and children. Objectives: The aim of this study was to document the extent of the problems associated with inappropriate e-waste recycling practices. Methods: This was a narrative review that highlighted where e-waste is generated, where it is recycled, the range of adverse environmental exposures, the range of adverse health consequences, and the policy frameworks that are intended to protect <a title="Learn more about Vulnerable Populations" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/vulnerable-populations">vulnerable populations</a> from inappropriate e-waste recycling practices. Findings: The amount of e-waste being generated is increasing rapidly and is compounded by both illegal exportation and inappropriate donation of electronic equipment, especially computers, from developed to developing countries. As little as 25% of e-waste is recycled in formal recycling centers with adequate worker protection. The health consequences of both direct exposures during recycling and indirect exposures through environmental contamination are potentially severe but poorly studied. Policy frameworks aimed at protecting vulnerable populations exist but are not effectively applied. Conclusions: E-waste recycling is necessary but it should be conducted in a safe and standardized manor. The acceptable risk thresholds for hazardous, secondary e-waste substances should not be different for developing and developed countries. However, the acceptable thresholds should be different for children and adults given the physical differences and pronounced vulnerabilities of children. Improving occupational conditions for all e-waste workers and striving for the eradication of child labor is non-negotiable.
format	article
author	Devin N. Perkins Marie-Noel Brune Drisse Tapiwa Nxele Peter D. Sly
author_facet	Devin N. Perkins Marie-Noel Brune Drisse Tapiwa Nxele Peter D. Sly
author_sort	Devin N. Perkins
title	E-Waste: A Global Hazard
title_short	E-Waste: A Global Hazard
title_full	E-Waste: A Global Hazard
title_fullStr	E-Waste: A Global Hazard
title_full_unstemmed	E-Waste: A Global Hazard
title_sort	e-waste: a global hazard
publisher	Ubiquity Press
publishDate	2014
url	https://doaj.org/article/2f6bab5a5b654a50980c85a94a48c100
work_keys_str_mv	AT devinnperkins ewasteaglobalhazard AT marienoelbrunedrisse ewasteaglobalhazard AT tapiwanxele ewasteaglobalhazard AT peterdsly ewasteaglobalhazard
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E-Waste: A Global Hazard

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