E-WASTE AND ITS HEALTH IMPACTS

Abstract

The e-waste generated locally in the NCR and imported from other places even from overseas, had assumed such an enormous volume that the Delhi Government has plan to dispose off it in Haridwar, Uttar Pradesh. This is the result of realization of health and environmental hazards associated with this waste which has lead to this decision. The e-waste has various toxic and carcinogenic gases, and heavy metals, which have grievous effects on the health of workers involved in the activity of recycling it unsafely and also populace of the locality. Further, unscientific disposal of its junk after recycling may contaminate groundwater.The problem has motivated the researcher to investigate the health impacts of workers and others involved in the recycling process of ewaste in two junkyards in Delhi. The result of the study are very startling as more than 75 per cent persons involved in this activity suffer from one or the other disease which can directly be attributed to the result of unsafe recycling of e-waste.