Electronic Waste: Human Health and Environmental Implications

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20241937

Abstract

The science brought a revolution in the information and communication sector in the last few decades. This progress undoubtedly enhanced the quality of our living, but on the other hand, it has also created many serious problems including the large amounts of hazardous electronic waste generated. Disposal of e-waste is an emerging global environmental and public health issue in India. As this waste has become the most rapidly growing segment of the formal municipal waste stream in the world. Electronic equipment contains many hazardous metallic contaminants such as lead, cadmium, and beryllium and brominate flame-retardants, The fraction including iron, copper, aluminum, gold, and other metals in e- waste is over 60%, while plastics account for about 30% and the hazardous pollutants comprise only about 2.70%.  Electronic waste (e-waste) is one of the fastest-growing waste at global level. Improper processing of e-waste renders it noxious to human health and our ecosystem. This paper provides a comprehensive review of harmful impacts of e-waste on human life and the environment. Furthermore, the review explores sustainable methods including renewable and biodegradable technologies for the effective recovery of material from e-waste and mitigating the adverse effects of electronic wastes on human health and the environment.

Keywords: Biodegradable, e-waste, adaptive strategies, recycling, sustainable approaches, hazardous waste