Contamination of solid waste from toxic materials in electronic waste (e-Waste)

Abstract

Electronic waste or e-waste is the fastest growing and the latest waste stream in global waste sector. Ever increasing demand for electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) such as computers, mobile phones, televisions, washing machines, refrigerators in our modern society coupled with wide availability of latest designs in the electronics industry lead to rapid obsolescence of EEE well before their end-of-life use. Apart from the significant number of EEEs entering the global stream, the toxicity of certain materials contained in them is major concern to waste managers. E-waste contains more than 1000 different substances out of elements such as lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium and brominated flame retardants are of major threat to human health and the environment. Regulations are being developed or implemented in many countries around the world to ban or restrict above materials from EEE. This paper investigates the use and toxicity of materials used in the manufacture of EEE that could contaminate the solid waste streams.