E - WASTE

E waste is the name given to the electronic products which are nearing the end of their useful life. They are considered as dangerous waste because of the presence of hazardous substance present in it. They pose a serious threat to human health. Some of the common e wastes are discarded computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, copiers, fax machines, electric lamps, cell phones, audio equipment and batteries. These items contain chemicals like lead which pollutes the eco system.

The main reasons for the generation of these wastes are because of the industrial revolution and the advancement in the information technology, even though these helped human beings to overcome a lot of problems but they led to some new problems like pollution and contamination. Computers have become the most commonly used gadget in the world in all kinds of activities from schools, residences to industries. The major e toxic components are circuit boards containing heavy metals like lead & cadmium, batteries containing cadmium, cathode ray tubes with lead oxide & barium, brominated flame­retardants used on printed circuit boards, cables and plastic casing, poly vinyl chloride (PVC) coated copper cables and plastic computer casings that release highly toxic dioxins & furans when burnt to recover valuable metals, mercury switches, mercury in flat screens, poly chlorinated biphenyl's (PCB's) present in older capacitors, transformers, etc

INDIAN SCENARIO

While the world is marveling at the technological revolution, countries like India are facing an imminent danger. E-waste of developed countries, such as the US, dispose their wastes to India and other Asian countries. A recent investigation revealed that much of the electronics turned over for recycling in the United States ends up in Asia, where they are either disposed of or recycled with little or no regard for environmental or worker health and safety. Major reasons for exports are cheap labour and lack of environmental and occupational standards in Asia and in this way the toxic effluent of the developed nations 'would flood towards the world's poorest nations. The magnitude of these problems is yet to be documented. It is imperative that developing countries and India in particular wake up to the monopoly of the developed countries and set up appropriate management measures to prevent the hazards and mishaps due to mismanagement of e-wastes.

The management of these wastes in India is pretty new concept whereas its quite common in developed nations in west. The major problem in our country is the collection of e wastes. most of the offices or industries which are in very small scale use the second hand computers and electronics goods i.e. used products in order to reduce their expenses. There are some exclusive dealers for these second hand goods. Collecting the waste from them free of cost is a Herculean task. Our govt is taking serious steps to overcome tis problem in the budding stage. There are some very few e waste recyclers in our country, which may not be sufficient to recycle all the waste generated in the long run. There should be some serious steps taken both by the govt and we citizens to reduce these wastes.