E-waste pollution is a less talked about form of pollution that refers to different discarded, defective or obsolete electrical & electronic equipment such as computers, TVs, refrigerators, printers, mobile phones, digital cameras etc.

Sources:

1. PCB: Printed Circuit Boards are used in almost all electronic devices. They contain Lead which is used for soldering.
2. Batteries: Again used in almost all electronics. It contains heavy metals like nickel, cadmium & lithium.
3. CRTs: All pre-LCD/LED era display devices used CRTs. Hence there will be millions of discarded CRT devices which will not be reused. They contain large quantities of Lead and Phosphors (not to be confused with Phosphorous).
4. ICs & Semiconductors: Used extensively in modern electronics. They contain Silicon, germanium, arsenic, antimony & cadmium.

5. Parts & Accessories: Plastics & metals from printers, keyboard, monitors, CDs, DVDs, VCRs etc.

    

Larger quantities of e-waste is generated in developed nations as compared to developing countries because in developed and forward countries people tend to throw away end of life equipment rather than reusing them.

Effects:

E-waste pollution is not only a big environmental threat but also a major threat for human health. Following hazards arise from various recycling processes on e-waste.

Environmental:

1. Virtually every living organism is impacted by the dangerous chemical pollutants that are released into the atmosphere and underground water when e-Waste is improperly disposed.
2. The polluted soil and air contaminates our vegetables, crops, flowers, grasses, herbs, plants, saplings, shrubs & trees.

3. Metals like Lead, Cadmium & Mercury are known to accumulate in living organisms via the food chain.

    

Health Hazards to Humans:

1. Adverse effects on fetus and early child development.
2. Some of the metals like beryllium, cadmium and lead are potential carcinogens i.e. prolonged exposure to them may cause cancer.
3. Precursor to cardiovascular diseases.
4. Lead is toxic to the kidneys, accumulating in the body and eventually affecting the nervous and reproductive systems.
5. May lead to Asthma & Bronchitis.