| e-Waste Home Menu |
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Los Angeles ,California
5788 Smithway Street
Commerce CA 90040
Phone :323-837-9950
Fax : 323-837-9957 |
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Seattle , Washington
410 Andover Park East
Tukwila, WA 98188
Phone : 206-767-9950
Fax :206-767-0661
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| Environmental Effects of E-Waste |
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| Environmental Effects of E-Waste |
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Dangers of Electronic Waste
 Many electronic devices contain high enough levels of toxic materials such
as lead, barium, cadmium, and mercury that render them hazardous when
disposed.
- CADMIUM: breathing cadmium can severely damage the lungs and cause
death.
- LEAD: attacks the nervous system in both adults and children.
A child who swallows large amounts of lead will develop blood
anemia, kidney damage, severe stomach aches, muscle weakness
and brain damage severe enough to kill the child.
Televisions and computer monitors contain a picture tube known as
the cathode ray tubes (CRTs), which contain significant amounts of lead.
Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) are illuminated by mercury-filled panels.
Circuitry within monitors and other electronic boards contain chromium,
copper, and lead that exceed regulatory limits.
The batteries that power many of these types of equipment contain
metals such as lead, nickel, cadmium, silver, lithium, and other
dangerous metals.
As a result, California passed the Electronic Waste Recycling Act in 2003 which designates e-waste as hazardous waste, which by law, cannot be disposed of along with municipal trash. If improperly disposed of, the toxins listed above can be released into the environment through a variety of means including incinerator ash or landfill leachage, and water supply contamination which comes into contact with humans, animals, and nature, causing extremely harmful effects. |
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