What is E-Waste & Where Does It End Up?E-Waste, the disposal of electronic waste is a global environmental issue. This waste ends up in landfills or is burned in an incinerator. Electronics are composed of some toxic substances such as lead, cadmium & mercury which has the potential to contaminate the environment & it's inhabitants.
Some of the metals that are recycled include steel, aluminum & copper. However , it is costly to have these metals recycled in the U.S. A majority of the e-waste is being exported to areas like China, India or Pakistan where the recycling cost is considerably lower. The workers are responsible for dismantling the old machines. This exposes them to toxic chemicals that can have serious health implications.
I believe that knowingly sending this e-waste to these impoverished areas to be recycled is unethical. It is putting the workers at great risk, affecting not only their health but their future.
Why Should Nurses Care About The Impact of E-Waste?
It is pertinent that nurses care about the impact of e-waste because it poses a major global health risk. The pollution has the potential to affect the world. Nurses as patient advocates have to care, become informed, educate people about e-waste. Nurses have to provide a voice for all those people being affected who have no idea of the potential risk and long term health effects of being exposed to these toxins.
What Is Being Done?
Some companies have addressed the e-waste problem by producing Take back programs which collects old computer/electronic equipment. The production of lead free products would eliminate the possibility of contamination.
Want more info? Watch this interesting video from Greenpeace provided in references.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sMOAWW6I0k
4 comments:
Josie-Hi. Great Blog. I was not aware of what was involved with E-Waste. We are exposing human beings to such toxins and it goes against who we are as professionals and as fellow human beings. The responsibility for decreasing toxins and use of lead free products should be that of these large companies that make fortunes selling them to the consumers. I have recenlty been involved in a "take back" program with old cell phones. Great information. Thank you. Ann
You really have a very interesting topic. I strongly support the proper disposal of e-waste in a way that it does not harm any individuals. Will research more on this. Thanks
Thanks for your feedback Ann & Samuel. It truly was shocking for me when I researched this information. The terrible thing is that there are actually children workers in some of these work areas. I was viewing other videos. Imagine the long term effects of this exposure.
Wow this seems like a century ago but amazingly it is still a valid blog.
Post a Comment