Most people wish to have the ever changing latest computers, TVs, cell phones, game consoles and music players. Less frequently changed items include washing machines, vacuum cleaners, microwaves, hair dryers, alarm clocks etc. What happens when we discard such old items? E-waste is the term used to describe discarded electronics and electrical products.

In the past few years, the world's demand for electronic and electrical gadgets has grown many times. So more waste has started to accumulate. What happens to all that e-waste?

While awareness to recycle such E-waste in proper factories is increasing due to legal requirements and also by social compulsions, still an enormous quantity of e-waste gets tossed into the municipal bins and reaches the landfills. The western developed nations also exported e-waste to developing nations like China and India, where poor laborers, working under unhealthy conditions, recycle this e-waste. The world is still learning and introducing regulations aimed at safer recycling of e-waste.

We all know that electronic products are made from many circuit boards, wiring and electrical connections.

E-waste dangers arise from ingredients such as lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, copper, beryllium, barium, chromium, nickel, zinc, silver and gold used in making these electronic and electrical parts. Over time, the toxic chemicals from the landfill's e-waste can seep into the ground (possibly entering the water supply) or escape into the atmosphere, affecting the health of nearby communities. Burning waste also leads to many chemical reactions emitting dangerous fumes into the atmosphere.

Pollution from e-waste is classified as bioaccumulation or biomagnification. Bioaccumulation occurs when people, plants and animals build up levels of toxic substances in their bodies faster than they can get rid of them. Biomagnification occurs when toxin levels accumulate within the food chain and animals or humans eat the tainted vegetable or meat.

I have listed below some of the consequences of E-waste.

Arsenic may disrupt cell communication and interfere with the triggers that cause cells to grow, causing cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes.

Cadmium affects your body's ability to metabolize calcium, leading to bone pain and severely weakened, fragile bones. Within environmental systems it rapidly degrades soil health.

Chromium can cause skin irritation and rashes and is potentially carcinogenic.
Mercury has a toxic affect on both human and environmental health. A small amount now exists in every household light-bulb (the new energy efficient CFLs), if these light-bulbs are crushed, mercury is easily transferred into local environments. Once in landfill and combined with organics, anaerobic breakdown takes place leading to the production of highly toxic methyl-mercury.

Lead causes brain damage, that is why it has been removed from paints and petrol. The introduction of lead to the food chain and atmosphere (through lead combustion) are the primary causes of health problems in humans. Lead in the environment disrupts the natural functions of water and soil systems. Lead poisoning can cause many health problems leading to paralysis, coma and death.

Copper can irritate the throat and lungs and affect the liver, kidneys and other body systems.

Nickel is carcinogenic in large doses.

Recycling electronic waste is the only way to prevent these toxic materials from affecting human health and the environment in the future.

Take-back programs are slowly expanding, and many companies allow customers to return at least some computer models and equipment when they no longer want them.

Our school has introduced an E-waste programme in association with Bee'Ah, Sharjah's leading environmental company. Awareness on e-waste recycling and setting up facilities for recycling is very essential to avoid the Earth becoming a sick planet with all modern electronic wonders but without healthy people to enjoy them.

Beware and be E-aware before tossing e-waste into the municipal bin. Always seek ways of recycling e-waste.

Small quantities of such e-waste can be used to create new useful items at homes but this should be done carefully to avoid injuries and knowing and safeguarding from the hazards in opening the electronic parts.