4 Scary Effects of E-Waste on the Environment and Human Health
Unfortunately, consumers treat electronics like disposable items that can be tossed into the garbage to be forgotten about in some landfill. Improper disposal of e-waste has hugely devastating effects on the environment and human health, making it a really poor decision to just toss out old electronics. Connect with the team at RAKI Electronics Recycling for secure e-waste recycling.
Effects on Air
Air contamination occurs when e-waste is improperly disposed of by dismantling, shredding, or melting the materials, releasing dust particles or toxins, like dioxins, into the environment that causes air pollution and damages respiratory health. E-waste is also commonly burned, which releases fine particles that can travel thousands of miles, creating numerous health risks to humans and animals.
Effects on Soil
Heavy metals and flame retardants can deep directly from e-waste into the soil, which causes contamination of underlying groundwater or contamination of crops that may be planted nearby or in the area in the future. When soil is contaminated by heavy metals, crops become more vulnerable to absorbing these toxins, which can cause many illnesses and doesn’t allow the farmland to be as fertile as before.
Effects on Water
Electronics containing heavy metals contaminate groundwater channels, which eventually run to the surface as streams or small ponds of water. Local communities often depend on bodies of water and the groundwater for a number of things, like drinking water and bathing water.
Effects on Third-World Countries
For the most part, e-waste adversely affects our developing nations. America sends our e-waste to third-world and developing countries, which piles up in landfills and causes tremendous harm to the environment in a variety of ways. We actively contribute to the destruction of places that we commonly enjoy vacationing at just so we have the luxury of not having to deal with the waste.
Do your part in limiting the environmental degradation that e-waste can have. Call RAKI Electronics Recycling for secure and proper e-waste recycling.