E-WasteBy: Emma & Dan

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What is E-Waste? Electronic Waste is a term applied to

discarded electrical devices. I.e: Computers, mobile devices, TV sets,

and refrigerators. 20-50 million tons of e-waste is created

worldwide each year. [Source]

What is E-Waste?

A chart displaying the amount of E-Waste by the Ton in the United States alone, and how much

was trashed/recycled of that amount. [Screencap Source]

Exporters of E-Waste USA UK EU (Some other

European countries.)

Mexico Other western

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Importers of E-Waste China Vietnam Cambodia Southeast Asia

(Southeastern countries.)

West Africa (West African countries.)

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Why is E-Waste a Problem? – Environmental Aspects

The dismantling of E-Waste is left to the third world and some developing countries, these countries become the dumping grounds for most of the E-Waste in the world. This creates both a environmental and health hazard, First the people which scavenge for the valuable metals in the E-Waste are wearing no protective equipment against the toxin chemicals. In these electronic parts after they get what they want they burn the left scrape parts which is even worse for them as the air becomes toxic around their work place, then they conduct constant burning of these highly toxic chemical scrapes. But this also makes the air for people to breath highly toxic and causes environmental issues, and half the left over parts are dumped in rivers, lakes, and even left lying around. This causes a huge health and environment issue, they are poisoning their own land to the point of a wasteland. Which most chemicals are not easily liquidated, this is a huge health and environmental issue caused by E-waste.

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Why Is E-Waste a Problem? – Societal Aspects

Most E-Waste is burned and discarded in a way that isn’t safe to human health.

Exposure to toxic metals, like lead, is a result from the burning of e-waste. This exposure leads to the possibility of:

Pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, lead poisoning in children, and more.

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Why Is E-Waste a Problem? – Societal Aspects

Guiya, a city in China, is known as the largest e-waste recycling site in the world.

The city’s residents display substantial digestive, respiratory, neurological, and bone problems linked to the exposure of unsafe e-waste disposal practice. Picture Source

Why is E-Waste a Problem? – Societal Aspects

A study shows that pollution from E-Waste can result in changes in your body.

Co-author of the study said, “Both inflammatory response and oxidative stress may lead to DNA damage, which could induce oncogenesis, or even cancer.”

• Official Website• Goal: Solve the E-Waste problem. • Launched in March 2007. • Prominent industries, governments,

NGSO and more participate in StEP.

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Works Cited http://www.electronicstakeback.com/resources/facts-and-figu

res/

http://www.prb.org/Publications/Articles/2013/e-waste.aspx http://

www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/ghana804/index.html http://www.step-initiative.org/