- According to a latest report, improper handling of e-waste recycling waste had led to the contamination of water and soil by heavy metals and other impurities greatly risking the neighbourhoods.
- Samples reveal mercury levels to be as high as 174 times than the prescribed limit in some regions, while lead content in soil was also found to be 147 times higher than the prescribed limit.
- Both lead and mercury are known to damage vital organs and slowly reduce the IQs are understanding capabilities of children.
- While the report has been specifically of the Loni and Mandoli areas of Delhi, it is also indicative of vast such crude recycling units operating across India which release toxic elements including mercury, lead, zinc, along with acids and chemicals into the soil and water in the surrounding areas.
- 90% of the 2.7 million tonnes of e-waste generated every year is recycled in the informal sector.
- The “e-waste (management and handling) rules-2011” is currently operational, and puts the onus f e-waste disposal onto the producers of such goods. The State Pollution Control Board is supposed to monitor the implementation.
- Despite this, piles of e-waste are found and many e-waste recycling units are operational. Instead of shutting them down, the govt should come up with more effective measures.
- This is one of the few reports that corroborate damage to soil and water through toxics from e-waste and also scientifically examines electrical conductivity, hardness and turbidity in the selected samples.
- Read at:http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/ewaste-recycling-turns-water-soil-toxic/article6259404.ece