- High amount of toxic metals are found in soil and water from Loni and Mandoli areas in Delhi
- A report revealed that that toxic elements including mercury, lead, zinc, along with acids and chemicals are released during e-waste recycling and are contaminating soil and water in the surrounding areas
- “Impact of e-waste Recycling on Water and Soil” Report was revealed by an NGO, Toxics Link which told that these areas are at high risk of being permanently damaged by toxins from e-waste,” noted the study
- Mercury level was 20 times higher and Zinc level was 174 times higher which clearly indicated that the water is not safe for drinking, such metals will damage vital organs and reduce IQ level in children
- Soil sample from Loni reported Zinc 147 times higher than the prescribed level and Mandoli were equally shocking with lead level in one of the samples being 102 times higher than the prescribed limit, Dr. Prashant Rajankar, programme coordinator, Toxics Link told
- These areas are two examples but there are many such places in India, currently around 2.7 million tonnes of e-waste is generated every year and reports suggest that almost 90 per cent of this waste is being recycled in the informal sector in and around large cities
- “e-waste (management and handling) rules-2011” is currently operational to manage such toxics
- e-waste disposal should be done by the producers of such goods and instructs the State Pollution Control Board to monitor the implementation
- Number of recycling units are operating in Delhi and piles of e-waste is seen on the streets, in spite of closing the recycling units the government agencies need to come up with more effective measures
- Few places in India reported that scientifically corroborate damage to soil and water through toxics from e-waste and instead providing data on increased levels of zinc, lead and other toxic elements and chemicals, the study also scientifically examines electrical conductivity, hardness and turbidity in the selected samples of Mandoli and Loni
- More such studies in the parts of the country should be conducted for stricter implementation of e-waste rules opined the officials
- Read at: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/ewaste-recycling-turns-water-soil-toxic/article6259404.ece