LAN00010C Sociolinguistics:Fake News about Cheap Electronic Devices

The dumping of poor quality electronic products in poor nations like Africa continues to raise eyebrows in environmental protection organizations. Fake news about cheap TVs, computers, cellphones and electronic devices needs to change to ‘toxic e-waste for the third world’. News about second hand or reject electronic products from developed regions misinforms. Recycling e-waste covers up its dangers as companies continue to take advantage of the poor. Research into E-waste management reveals massive health hazards such as lead and mercury. Electronic waste represents the old invaluable electronic products like computers, TV, dryers, laptops and refrigerators. This includes its components or parts like TV screens and mobile phones.

Despite numerous efforts channeled towards recycling, the exposure to e-waste materials poses health risks. Children, adults and the natural environment are at risk. First, the hazardous waste products contain dangerous non-biodegradable material. These become harmful because of environmental pollution. The harm caused on human health is unbelievable. Waste metallic substances like lead and chromium contain dangerous chemicals, which could find their way into food, drinking water, or agricultural soil. Besides, when such wastes burn, they release toxic fumes. Anyone faces the risk of inhaling such polluted air. The effect is all kinds of cancers and fatalities.

Garbage hips filled with these wastes also present major risks. Children in the poor countries tend to play in dumping sites, collecting all kinds of items. In the process, they accidentally get injuries from metallic pieces. Exposure to lead and mercury presents the risk of cancer. E-wastes vary from household wastes to office, electronic and medical equipment. Among these are toys, treadmills, sewing machines, copiers, and washing machines. Electronic wastes from all sources is questionable unless checked. Donating computers, resale or reuse is harmful because of the e-waste factor.

Secondly, the risk levels of these wastes varies depending on the type of e-waste. Primary exposure occurs when the hazardous substances get into contact with human beings directly. This could be drinking water filled with chemicals from the wastes or inhaling polluted industry air. Indirect exposure could be through the presence of such unwanted wastes in a recycling plant. There are reports about expectant mothers having child defects at delivery and communities in an area developing strange illnesses. It is unfortunate that analysis of recycling areas indicate the presence of harmful wastes in the environment.

Although environmental control bodies have attempted to reduce hazardous electronic substances, there is an increase in unreported cases, especially in the recycling projects. A clear definition of the most dangerous wastes and its recycling location is one way to trace the spread of these wastes. The main purpose for recycling is to reduce environmental wastes. However, when this process becomes a pollutant in itself, it is no longer a solution but part of the problem. It is necessary to monitor items with high content of harmful products such as LED, LCD displays and PV panels.

Evidently, most harmful wastes come from electronic equipment. Waste from Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEEs) pose challenges in recycling. Reports indicate increases of up to 5% annually and there is evidence of its negative health impact. However, organizations fail to give truthful accounts of its activities. Therefore, economic activities should not just focus on the benefits of recycling without pointing to its dangers. There should be a proper formula for getting rid of outdated technology appliances and electronic equipment as well as the recovery of useful parts.

Old electronic items like smart phones may contain important metals such as gold and copper. However, it is not easy to extract these parts safely because of other harmful chemicals in the products. For example, old electronics contain cobalt, gallium, and terbium among others. Therefore, recyclers should follow environment friendly approaches for all processes. Concrete solutions to this problem include improved ways to recycle these products with regard to the high content of harmful material.

Although e-waste is one of the leading environmental pollutants, there are fake news reports about their presence in recycling processes. The unclear legislation about the dumping of such wastes in third world countries is underreported. The release of old computer products and electronics for reuse is dangerous. These are hard to detect yet they are in high amounts. The nontoxic metals such as aluminum and copper become a health danger when they accumulate to large amounts.

Reference: