Harmful Effects of E-waste
- Soil Pollution: All electronic waste contains heavy and harmful metals such as mercury, lead, and arsenic. If this electronic waste is decomposed or disposed of into the soil it can contaminate and degrade the soil, affect adversely plant lifecycle and growth, reduce crop yield, and contaminate the food produced by the plants.
- Water Pollution: The toxic elements that are present in electronic devices can contaminate the water. This can adversely affect aquatic life and water resources, human life can be in danger if such contaminated water is used for drinking and cooking purposes.
- Air Pollution: Many harmful gases are released into the air during the disposal of electronic waste and recycling it. These harmful gases that are released increase air pollution and contamination of the air. Inhalation of such contaminated air can result in respiratory disorders for all living beings.
- Health Effects: Coming in contact with e-waste disposal and exposure to it can cause serious health issues for all living beings. This e-waste can cause diseases such as cancer, neurological disorders, reproductive problems, skin irritation, and many more.
- Climate Change: E-waste pollution also affects the environment which affects the climatic conditions and the environmental life cycle that results in ozone layer depletion and greenhouse gas emissions.
E-Waste: Causes and Effects on Environment
E-waste or Electronic pollution is a growing environmental issue as the rapid advancement of technology has led to a significant increase in the production of various electronic devices. Pollution is the presence of harmful substances in the environment that causes an adverse effect and as a result, degrades the quality of the environment. Improper disposal of E-waste can lead to harmful effects on Human health and the overall environment.