If Electronics are so important to our Everyday Lives, how could they be so bad?
What’s in your Electronics?
Inside of your favourite electronic device is a cornucopia of chemicals, heavy
metals and plastics. Most of these products have been proven to cause cancers,
neurological issues, kidney failure and other illness to almost every organ in the human
body. Let’s look at a basic computer:
The CRT Monitor contains 1-2 kg of lead in the glass and seals. While an LCD
monitor or LCD TV has no lead it does have upwards of 50g of Mercury which is known
to cause brain damage. The physical cases on either unit are made up of PVC plastics
which produce dioxins when burned.
The plastics in the cases and the Printed Circuit Boards (PCB’s) are also
impregnated with brominated flame retardants. These retardants produce a neurotoxin
that is showing up in mother’s milk in several species of animals, including humans.
Circuit boards are also soldered with lead based solder. Lead is a heavy metal that has
been banned in gasoline, paint and plumbing pipes. Lead is a known cancer causing agent
and is believed to lower IQ scores in children and cause other birth defects. PCB’s also
contain beryllium, a known carcinogen. Circuit boards also contain phosphorus which the
US Navy classifies as “extremely toxic” and hexavalent chromium which causes DNA
damage (this is the chemical that poisoned the town in the movie Erin Brockovich).
Finally barium is also in every circuit board and is known to destroy muscle tissue.
Batteries in Laptops, Cell phones, Ipod’s and all other electronic devices contain
Cadmium to some extent. Cadmium has been linked to symptoms of poisoning and
kidney failure and is also found in resistors and semi-conductors.
As one can see, our electronics are a swamped in toxic substances, chemicals and
heavy metals that we know are bad for humans and the environment. Most experts will
agree that electronics probably will not harm someone sitting on a desk throughout their
useful life. However, it is what they do to us and the planet when we discard them that is
frightening.
Problem:
The problem is that recycling electronics or E-Waste is very difficult. These
products are very time consuming to take apart resulting in an expensive undertaking.
Nobody wants this stuff in a landfill where toxics can leach into ground water. So what
can be done with it?
In Atlantic Canada, the Atlantic Canada Electronics Stewardship (ACES) is
collecting electronics (known as E-Waste) to keep them out of our landfill and sending it
to companies in Central Canada or the United States for recycling. There has even been a
tax implemented (Environmental Handling Fee or EHF) on all electronics of 10% of the
purchase price to aid in this recycling.
New Problem - Companies Have Found a Loophole in the Law:
Unfortunately, in too many cases E-waste that has been taken to a collection
center for proper recycling is ending up in third world countries where it is being
recycled the cheapest and, unfortunately, the dirtiest way possible. There is International
and National Laws against the exportation of E-Waste to the Third World, however,
companies are allowed to “donate” used technology to developing nations. Contributing
to this issue is a lack of enforcement on behalf of the Canadian Government to make sure
our waste is being properly managed.
We need to note that almost all of the major developed nations of the world have
signed a treaty saying they will not export E-waste to developing nations excluding the
United States. Interestingly enough many of our recycle companies do export E-waste to
the United States who did not sign the treaty. One then has to wonder what happens to
this E-waste. Unfortunately groups such as the Basel Action Network continue to
uncover proof that Canadian E-Waste is ending up in developing countries (China, India,
Ghana, Pakistan, Nigeria) at an alarming rate.
E-Waste and the Third World:
Watch Video Ghana: Digital Dumping Ground
http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/ghana804/vi
deo/video_index.html
* Includes footage from Ghana, Guiyu, China and
India. Also has some demonstration on identity theft as
well that makes for good computer education*
Complete the Questions Sheet while watching the
video.
Complete the Survey Activity as a Class.
Solutions:
While no one is going to give up their electronics
anytime soon, here are some ideas for solutions:
1. Pressure our government to increase enforcement
and close loopholes in the laws.
2. Demand better quality products from manufactures;
products that last longer because they are built better or
products that can be easily upgraded by changing a part
as opposed to changing an entire system. Apple
Computers have taken a lead on this.
3. Reduce our own thirst for the latest and greatest. It is
time to look and ask “is the _____ I have really able to
do the job I need it to do?” Why do we feel the need to
upgrade so often? We are an impatient society.
(Example of this: A computer lab receives 3 new
computers; there is always a fight to see who is going
to get the new one!)
Research Links for
Further Information:
ACES Hompage:
http://www.acestewardship.ca/
ACES Drop off Sites for E-Waste
in NS:
http://www.acestewardship.ca/co
nsumers/dropofflocations
Basel Action Network (BAN):
http://www.ban.org/
BAN Photo Gallery:
http://www.ban.org/photogallery/
index.html
Electronic Trash Village – China
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=ZHTWRYXy2gE
A Walk Around Guiyu
http://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=IhNInIqu2hM&feature=c
hannel
Hidden Flow: The rising tide
of European e-waste in West
Africa
http://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=NBC-dWgElbI
Dirty Jobs: E-waste Break
Down Season 7 Ep. 5:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=CyAY3PRv2SM
*Part 1 of 3 on You Tube
Ghana: Digital Dumping Ground Video Question Sheet
Instructions: Answer the questions in the space provided, while
watching the video. Answer in full sentences where required, following
proper English Grammar Rules.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
11)
12)
13)
14)
Name: _______________
Class: _______________
Date: _______________
Electronic waste is known as _____________________.
Where did the monitor come from ____________________________________.
How are junk computers labelled to get around the law______________________
Where did Godson’s computers come from __________________ and the _______________ and
all the way from _____________________________
What percentage is junk ____________ %
Name 3 kinds of data can be found on the drives:
a. ___________________________________________________
b. ___________________________________________________
c. ___________________________________________________
Ghana is listed by the US State Department as one of the
_____________________________________________________
Where did the containers actually get shipped _____________________
Guiyu has been built around the trade of __________________
How many people work in the e-waste trade in China? ________ of thousands.
If you want to recycle environmentally you have to invest in _______________ and
__________________.
_________________ is generating its own electronic waste now.
How many PC’s were sold in India last year? ________________________
One company tries to spin the waste into gold making _________________.
Survey Activity for Class Related to E-waste.
Ask the class by show of hands the following:
1) Put your hands up if you own a cell phone. Keep your hand up if it’s not your
first, second, third, etc.
2) Put your hands up if you own a gaming system like Wii. Keep your hand up if it’s
not your first, second, third, etc.
3) Put your hands up if your household owns a TV. Keep your hand up if it’s not
your first, second, third, etc.
4) Put your hands up if your household owns a Computer. Keep your hand up if it’s
not your first, second, third, etc.
5) Put your hands up if you own an MP3 player /Ipod type device. Keep your hand
up if it’s not your first, second, third, etc.
6) Put your hands up if you recycled any of these products properly in the last year.
7) Put your hands up if you discarded any of these products without recycling in the
last year.
8) Put your hands up if you own a printer. Did you recycle the toner or ink
cartridges?
9) Put your hands up if you used any kind of battery this year? Did you recycle the
dead batteries?
10) Do you know where the closest ACES drop off center is to your house?