In-Depth Assessment of E-Waste Effects
E-waste is disastrous for water, air, soil, human health, and animals. So, did you ever consider where your non-functioning, outworn, and disused electronic devices go? This article takes a dive into E-Waste Effects.
More or less, we all run on the same channel; we buy new electronic devices and carelessly throw the old ones away. Let’s brainstorm! Aren’t we used to grabbing the latest cell phone models? Don’t we replace obsolete house gadgets? Let’s flashback how many computers have we changed so far? And yes, what about our televisions, DVD players, and laptops? Don’t we update those by discarding the obsolescent? Yes, in the race of the latest devices, we don’t care about our old gadgets and dispose of them improperly that end up in landfills.
Do you know, the toxic substances of E-waste deteriorate our planet even more than we imagine?
Therefore, in this article, we will shed light on the harmful impacts of E-waste, but instead of straight plunging on e-waste consequences, we will first suggest how you can cope with E-waste.
Ways to Treat E-waste- Better and Useful
- Recycle it
- Give to someone who finds it useful.
- Hand over to retailer for repurposing
- Contact to certified e-waste hauler like ecycle Florida
Let’s dive into the article’s significant point for what you are with us- the effects of
Electronic waste.
Effects of E-Waste on Planet- Threatening and Terrifying
As discussed above, mishandled E-waste is dangerous; let’s explore how injurious it is!
The Negative Effects on Air
When e-waste is improperly disposed of by shredding, melting, or dismantling, it releases toxins into the environment that cause air pollution. Inhaling in such contaminated air causes damage to the respiratory system and leads to various chronic diseases, even cancer. Often, e-wastes are burnt and improperly recycled; see how harmful these ways are:
- Usually, a little value of e-waste is burned to get valuable metals, but burning also releases harmful particles that negatively impact human and animal health.
- Informal recycling by some chemicals, acids, or desoldering removes high-value metals from integrated electronics but also releases fumes that are ultimately dangerous.
The Negative Effects on Soil
When e-waste is improperly disposed of in landfills or dumped somewhere illegally, flame retardants and heavy metals seep into the soil that badly deteriorates the ground. This affected soil will contaminate the underground water and can also be harmful to microorganisms. Everything is affected in the long run, including wildlife and the ecosystem.
The Negative Effects on Water
Unfortunately, the list of e-waste disasters is quite long and alarming. Obviously, e-wastes affect the soil, but mercury, lithium, lead, and barium, etc., from the ground, penetrates the groundwater to contaminate it. As a result, from streams to rivers, ponds, and lakes, every resource becomes acidic and toxic. It’s not only dangerous for plants, animals, and marine life, living near landfills and dumping sites, but even for those who are miles away.
The Negative Effects on Humans
Humans depend upon water, air, and food to live and grow, but when water, air, and soil are polluted, humans and even animals’ health is affected drastically.
Mercury, polybrominated flame retardants, cadmium, lithium, lead, barium, etc. of electronics dramatically affect the human nervous system, reproductive system, skeletal system, and various organs.
Our Verdict:
From the above discussion, we can see the adverse impacts of e-waste evident. Hence it is crucial to appropriately recycle, reuse, resale, or refurbish the e-waste.