Did you know…..
…..there are at least 5 toxic materials found in today’s electronic devices?
Electronic devices often contain hazardous materials which should not be landfilled or incinerated. These toxins include: Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Hexavalent Chromium, and Brominated Flame Retardants.
In normal use, a computer, cell phone or other electronic device containing toxic materials is not dangerous. However, we can create risks to the environment and to our health when we dispose of these electronic devices. These risks are increased every day by the number of electronic devices we dispose of and the risks get worse when electronic devices are dumped or improperly disposed of.
Toxic Metals can accumulate in various organs, interfere with normal function of the body’s cells, and cause illness and in severe cases, death. Lead, mercury, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium are toxic metals. Exposure can occur through inhalation, ingestion of soil and food, and chromium can also be absorbed through the skin. Many health problems are associated with exposure to each of these toxic metals. For example, toxic metals can interfere with:
- the immune system,
- heart function,
- the reproductive system,
- the development of fetuses and children,
- the central nervous system,
- kidney function, and
- the respiratory system.
Toxic metals are persistent, meaning that they are not naturally broken down in the environment and remain toxic indefinitely. Because the body cannot rid itself of these metals as quickly as they are taken in, they build up (bioaccumulate). Plants and animals can also build up metals in this same way. This can result in biomagnification, in which the concentration of the metal increases as people or animals eat contaminated plants or animals. For example, mercury compounds can contaminate soil, water, sediment, and can collect in microscopic animals. Fish absorb the mercury as they feed in contaminated waters. Other fish consume these smaller fish, and mercury levels build up in greater amounts in their bodies over time. Long-lived, larger fish that feed on other fish accumulate the highest levels of mercury and they pose the greatest risk to people who eat them regularly.
Lead is found in high concentrations in older cathode ray tube-containing televisions and computer monitors. It is also present in the solder of almost any device which contains a circuit board.
Mercury is often found in electronic devices and in the back-lighting of new laptop and flat panel LCD televisions and computer displays.
Hexavalent Chromium is sometimes used to prevent corrosion or harden steel housings for devices.
Cadmium is often present in batteries, resistors, semiconductors, and infrared detectors in electronic devices.
Brominated Flame Retardants are mainly used in the plastic housing of electronic devices. However, along with reducing flammability, these compounds can have negative consequences. They bind to soil and sediment and accumulate in aquatic organisms. Exposure can occur through inhalation, skin absorption, or ingestion of soil and food. Infants can be exposed by ingesting breast milk. Flame retardants negatively affect the thyroid, kidneys, liver, the central nervous system, and developing fetuses. (see Washington State study on high flame retardant concentrations found in human breastmilk http://www.ewg.org/reports/mothersmilk/es.php)
 A
Program of the Indiana
Recycling Coalition |
