E-waste posing health threats to urban populace
KOLKATA,
March 09: Poor proper e-waste management system is threatening people
in urban areas of the state, with elements like lead, mercury, cadmium
and barium holding the potential to seriously affect the brain, eyes
and nervous system.West Bengal currently accounts for 14 per cent of
the 3,30,000 pieces of e-waste produced in the country every year.
Worn-out computer peripherals are mostly recycled or processed in
illegal recycling units in and around Kolkata. 94 per cent of business
organisations dealing with computer peripherals do not maintain a
proper recycling system.An official at the state IT department said
that the state government had initiated a study to calculate the amount
of e-waste produced in the state. An initiative has also been taken to
set up an effective e-waste management system.
E-waste products
include worn-out computer peripherals, printed wiring boards, lead-acid
batteries, electronic compressors, LCD screens and alkaline batteries.
All contain high levels of elements like lead, mercury, cadmium and
barium. They are generally sold to local scrap traders.Local traders
engage workers to extract expensive components from worn-out
peripherals. Since computer peripherals consist of lead, processing
them in the open air increases pollution levels.Workers in illegal
recycling units burn computer peripherals, including circuit boards,
videotapes and printer cartridges, to extract chips. Extracted chips
are then sold to traders in local markets at cheap rates. Workers also
extract carbon from print cartridges in these illegal units. While
doing so they inhale carbon dust which may cause respiratory
problems.People living in areas where the work is carried out are also
becoming exposed to such harmful elements.
Dr Sankha Subhra
Chowdhury, a neurologist with a city-based private nursing home, said:
“People gradually become affected with various brain-related diseases
due to constant exposure to these elements. They often complain of
problems like headaches, light-headedness and psychiatric symptoms.
Children are the worst sufferers. Lead exposure frequently causes
memory loss and affects the nervous system.”Cadmium also causes various
complications including lung cancer and the possibility of kidney
damage. It is extracted from worn-out rechargeable batteries,
fluorescent layer (CRT) screens, Xerox machine printer drums, printer
inks and toners. Cadmium is also believed to cause pulmonary emphysema
and bone disease such as osteoporosis,” said Dr Chowdhury