Electronic Toxic Wasteland
Children Alongside Electronic Waste
Every year there are new computers, cell phones, and electronic gadgets that we “need” to have. What happens to the old electronics that we drop off at the recycling center or Best Buy?
There are companies that recycle as much of the raw materials as possible. There are two reasons that there is a high demand for the recycling of old electronic devices:
1. These high tech devices have lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium, polyvinyl chlorides, and other substances that have known toxicological effects that range from brain damage, kidney disease, cancer, and even mutations in human bodies.
2. These devices also have some precious raw materials that the manufacturers covet and will pay handsomely for.
If we were to go to the capital of the electronic recycling wasteland, it would be Guiyu China.
Toxic Electronic Capital: Guiyu China
Recyclers here use caustic chemicals and burn the plastic parts to get at the valuable components, often releasing toxins that they not only inhale, but release into the air, the ground and the water.
Potable water must now be trucked into Guiyu and scientists have discovered that the city has the highest levels of cancer-causing dioxins in the world.
Pregnancies in Guiyu are six times more likely to result in miscarriages, and seven out of 10 children there have too much lead in their blood.
Who will be the first to go Green
See how current electronic Manufacturers compare to each other on the Green Electronic Scale.
Western Consumers
Consumers need to push manufacturers to become more aware of the life cycle of their products. If the consumer decides to stop buying goods, then a change will happen.
Rather interesting. Has few times re-read for this purpose to remember. Thanks for interesting article. Waiting for trackback