"How to safeguard your kids from the dangers of e-waste"
Electronic waste, or e-waste, is the term used for
discarded electrical or electronic devices, such as computers, phones, TVs, and
batteries. E-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world,
with an estimated 53.6 million metric tons generated in 2019, according to the
Global E-waste Monitor 2020.
E-waste contains valuable metals, such as gold and
copper, which can be recovered and reused. However, e-waste also contains
harmful chemicals, such as lead, mercury, cadmium, brominated flame retardants,
and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which can pose serious health and
environmental risks if they are not disposed of properly and safely.
Unfortunately, many developing countries receive a
large amount of e-waste from developed countries and lack the proper facilities
and regulations to deal with it. As a result, millions of people, especially
children, are exposed to e-waste and its toxic effects.
Children are more vulnerable to e-waste than adults
because they are still growing and developing. Their organs and systems are not
fully matured and can be easily damaged by pollutants. They can absorb more
pollutants relative to their size and have less ability to detoxify or eliminate
them from their bodies. They can also be exposed to e-waste through different
pathways, such as inhalation, ingestion, dermal contact, and placental
transfer.
Some of the health effects of e-waste exposure in
children include:
- Respiratory
problems:
E-waste can release toxic gases and particles into the air, which can
cause irritation, inflammation, and damage to the respiratory system.
Children who are exposed to e-waste may experience asthma, bronchitis,
lung infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung
cancer.
- Neurodevelopmental
problems:
E-waste can affect the development and function of the brain and nervous
system. Children who are exposed to e-waste may experience reduced
intelligence quotient (IQ), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD), learning difficulties, memory impairment, behavioral problems,
mood disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases.
- Cancer: E-waste can contain carcinogenic
substances that can damage the DNA and cause mutations in cells. Children
who are exposed to e-waste may have an increased risk of developing cancer
in various organs and tissues, such as the lung, liver, thyroid, kidney,
bladder, skin, blood, and bone marrow.
- Reproductive
and developmental problems: E-waste can interfere with the hormonal system and affect the
growth and development of children. Children who are exposed to e-waste
may experience low birth weight, premature birth, stillbirth, congenital
anomalies, impaired sexual development, infertility, miscarriage, and
birth defects.
- Endocrine
disruption:
E-waste can contain endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that can mimic
or block the action of natural hormones in the body. Children who are
exposed to e-waste may experience disruption in their growth hormone (GH),
thyroid hormone (TH), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), sex hormones
(estrogen and testosterone), and stress hormones (cortisol and
adrenaline).
- Immune
system impairment:
E-waste can weaken the immune system and make children more susceptible to
infections and allergies. Children who are exposed to e-waste may
experience increased frequency and severity of infections (such as
pneumonia and diarrhoea), allergic reactions (such as eczema and asthma),
autoimmune diseases (such as type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis),
and immunodeficiency diseases (such as HIV/AIDS).
These health effects can have lasting impacts on
children’s well-being and potential. They can affect their physical growth,
mental development, academic performance, social skills, emotional stability,
and future opportunities.
Therefore, it is very important to protect children
from e-waste and its dangers.
Here are some ways to do that:
- Reduce
the amount of e-waste: One
of the best ways to prevent e-waste exposure is to reduce the generation
of e-waste in the first place. This can be done by using electronic
devices for longer periods of time, repairing them when possible, and
donating or reselling them when no longer needed. It can also be done by
choosing electronic devices that are energy-efficient, durable,
repairable, and recyclable.
- Recycle
e-waste properly and safely: Another way to prevent e-waste exposure is to recycle e-waste
properly and safely. This can be done by taking e-waste to authorized
collection points or facilities that follow environmental and health
standards.
- Avoid
informal recycling activities: A third way to prevent e-waste exposure is to avoid informal
recycling activities that involve burning, breaking, or dismantling
e-waste without proper protection or equipment. These activities are often
done by untrained and unprotected workers, especially children, who are
exposed to high levels of toxic substances and hazards. These activities
also release pollutants into the air, soil, and water, affecting the
health of nearby communities and ecosystems.
- Educate
children and families about the risks of e-waste and how to avoid
exposure: A
fourth way to prevent e-waste exposure is to educate children and families
about the risks of e-waste and how to avoid exposure. This can be done by
raising awareness and providing information through various channels, such
as schools, health centres, media, and social networks. This can also be
done by engaging children and families in participatory activities, such
as campaigns, workshops, games, and art projects, that promote safe and
responsible e-waste management.
- Support
policies and initiatives that promote the sound management of e-waste and
the protection of child health: A fifth way to prevent e-waste exposure is to support policies and
initiatives that promote the sound management of e-waste and the
protection of child health. This can be done by advocating for the
implementation and enforcement of national and international laws and
regulations that regulate the production, trade, transport, and disposal
of e-waste. This can also be done by collaborating with various
stakeholders, such as governments, industry, civil society, academia, and
international organizations, to develop and implement strategies and
programs that address the health and environmental impacts of e-waste.
Conclusion
E-waste is a growing problem that affects the
health and environment of millions of people, especially children. Children are
more vulnerable to e-waste because they are still growing and developing. They
can experience various health effects, such as respiratory problems,
neurodevelopmental problems, cancer, reproductive and developmental problems,
endocrine disruption, and immune system impairment.
To protect children from e-waste and its dangers,
we need to take action at different levels. We need to reduce the amount of
e-waste by using electronic devices for longer periods of time, repairing them
when possible, and donating or reselling them when no longer needed. We need to
recycle e-waste properly and safely by taking it to authorized collection
points or facilities that follow environmental and health standards. We need to
avoid informal recycling activities that involve burning, breaking, or
dismantling e-waste without proper protection or equipment. We need to educate
children and families about the risks of e-waste and how to avoid exposure. We
need to support policies and initiatives that promote the sound management of
e-waste and the protection of child health.
By taking these actions, we can help create a
healthier and safer environment for our children and future generations. We can
also contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
which aim to ensure healthy lives and well-being for all, ensure inclusive and
equitable quality education for all, ensure sustainable consumption and
production patterns, and protect the planet from degradation.
We hope this blog post has helped you understand
the importance of safeguarding your kids from the dangers of e-waste. If you
have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them with us. Thank
you for reading!
Source
- Baldé
C.P., Forti V., Gray V., Kuehr R., Stegmann P. (2020). The Global E-waste
Monitor 2020: Quantities, flows and the circular economy potential. United
Nations University (UNU)/United Nations Institute for Training and
Research (UNITAR) – co-hosted SCYCLE Programme, International
Telecommunication Union (ITU) & International Solid Waste Association
(ISWA), Bonn/Geneva/Rotterdam.
- World
Health Organization (WHO). (2021). Children and digital dumpsites: e-waste
exposure and child health. Geneva: WHO.
- World
Health Organization (WHO). (2019). WHO training package on children’s
environmental health: Module 8 – E-waste. Geneva: WHO.
- World
Health Organization (WHO). (2017). Inheriting a sustainable world? Atlas
on children’s health and the environment. Geneva: WHO.
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2015). E-waste and child health: From research to action. Geneva: WHO.
Dr. Mayank Chandrakar is a writer also. My first book "Ayurveda Self Healing: How to Achieve Health and Happiness" is available on Kobo and Instamojo. You can buy and read.
For Kobo-
https://www.kobo.com/search?query=Ayurveda+Self+Healing
The second Book "Think Positive Live Positive: How Optimism and Gratitude can change your life" is available on Kobo and Instamojo.
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