Karnataka - Bangalore   

E-waste posing health hazard

Special Correspondent

There is no specific legislation to deal with the problem

Bangalore: Waste from computer and other electric hardware may be more than polluting the atmosphere. It can have serious repercussions for those in proximity to places where e-waste is recycled or burnt.

Bangalore may be generating 10,000 tonnes to 15,000 tonnes of e-waste every month, according to industry sources. The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board has put it at 10,000 tonnes a month.

Along with discarded obsolete hardware, many Western countries are selling off their e-waste as scrap and some of this reach scrap dealers in this city. Metal components and some of the outer casings are resold, while the rest of the computers are dumped haphazardly.

While there are only two authorised recycling companies in the city, there are many scrap dealers. A majority of the e-waste passes through these dealers who are concentrated around Mysore Road on the outskirts of the city. As of now, there is no specific legislation to deal with e-waste. The Pollution Control Board goes by the Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, formulated in 1989 when e-waste locally generated or imported was much less.

The hazardous substances found in e-waste include substantial quantities of lead, cadmium, chromium and flame-retardant plastics. Cathode ray tubes and components with high lead content are considered dangerous to health.

Inhaling or handling such substances and being in contact with them on a regular basis can damage the brain, nervous system, lungs, kidneys and the reproductive system, medical experts say.

A comprehensive study is yet to be made about the health problems of the women and children employed by the scrap dealers.

Environmentalists say that the "polluter pays" principle should apply to e-waste too.

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