How to throw away that broken IPod By Jack O’Mahony /11/2009

Dangers of throwing away electronics There are many toxic chemicals within old electronics, ranging from Mercury to lead to cadmium. These chemicals can be severely dangerous when exposed for pro-long periods of time, some of the effects are; Mercury Long term low level exposure – Tremors, fatigue, irritability, loss of memory, vivid dreams and depression. Acute exposure – Chest Pain, Cough, inflammation of lung tissue Acute exposure to mercury vapours – Profound central nervous system effects including psychotic reactions characterized by delirium, hallucinations, and suicidal tendencies. Cadmium Cadmium poisoning often results in; Metal fume fever, Pneumonitis, Pulmonary edema and in extreme Cases, death. Cases of cadmium contaminating the Jinzu River in Japan, subsequently cadmium accumulated in the rice Crops down river, giving the people Who consumed the rice Itai-itai disease and renal abnormalities Lead Lead interferes with a variety of body processes and is toxic to many organs and tissues including the heart, bones, intestines kidneys and reproductive and nervous systems. Lead poisoning can potentially cause permanent learning and behaviour disorders. Symptoms include headaches, anaemia, and abdominal pain and in extreme cases, seizures, coma and death. Figure 1: MercuryFigure 2: CadmiumFigure 3: Lead

“Electronic recyclers” Within recent years companies have made efforts to take back old electronics, even some state laws with in America have enforced this, but in cases of where this isn’t a possibility people are turning to “Electronic recyclers”. Various companies with in the U.S are claiming to be electronic recyclers when in fact the majority are not responsible recyclers. In most cases they ship the goods over seas to countries such as, China, India and Nigeria where there are computer dismantling sites where thousands of workers salvage copper and gold from electronic hardware. This then exposes the workers to the dangerous chemicals mentioned before. Figure 4: Chinese women uses hammer to gain access to copper Figure 5: Recycling symbol

What is being done? RoHS Directive: The restriction of hazardous substances directive was a policy bought in by the European Union on 1 July 2006, the directive restricts the use of six hazardous materials commonly used in the production of electronics such as, computers and TV’s. The six Materials restricted are: -Lead -Mercury -Cadmium -Hexavalent chromium -Polybrominated biphenyls -Polybrominated diphenyl ether The RoHS doesn’t just restrict certain electronics it also includes different types of Paints and pigments, PVC, solders, lamps and bulbs and batteries. The RoHS also works closely with the WEEE directive which is more involved with the recycling/collection of electronics. WEEE Directive: The waste electric and electronic equipment directive is a European Community directive similar to RoHS but focuses more on the disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment. The picture below shows the WEEE man, this piece of art was created in April 2005 by the Royal Society of Arts, it is a 7 Metre tall sculpture which is made entirely of electrical goods, in total it weighed 3.3 tonnes, the average amount of waste one UK individual creates in a lifetime. Figure 6: WEEE Logo Figure 7: The WEEE man

What can you do? The main issues brought up within the article is that Electronic waste is becoming a massive issue within today's world. I personally believe that this issue is always going to be inevitable due to the speed in which new technology is created and how often people buy new TV’s or PC’s. The main issue that needs to be targeted in my opinion is the disposal. Now directives like the WEEE and RoHS are no doubt doing a great job with in the industry but on a personal scale not many people really know what to do with there old electronics, this in my opinion is why it is becoming such an issue. People need to be told about the possible effects of just throwing there old TV’s and PC’s in non-regulated so-called electrical recyclers and instead question what is done with there goods once they hand them over. In my opinion this is main point of the article, making the general public more aware of the issues of recycling old electrical goods.

References Article taken from: Technology Review(2007) How to throw away that broken iPod – Retrieved 16 th November 2009, from Wikipedia org (2009) Cadmium – Retrieved 16 th November 2009, from Wikipedia org (2009) Mercury (element) - Retrieved 16 th November 2009, from Wikipedia org (2009) Lead poisoning - Retrieved 16 th November 2009, from Wikipedia org (2009) Restriction of hazardous substances directive - Retrieved 30 th November 2009, from Wikipedia org (2009) The waste electric and electronic equipment directive – Retrieved 30 th November 2009, from Figure 1. Toxic mercury in cfl bulbs. Reuk.co.uk(2007). Page 2 Figure 2. What are the pollutants. drake.marin.k12.ca.us(2004). Page 2 Figure 3. Appearance, some properties, a memory peg and a summary of discovery and etymology. Page 2 Figure 4: Credit: A woman in Guiyu, China, prepares to smash a computer monitor so that she can remove the copper inside it. Basel Action Network(2001) Page 3 Figure 5 Credit: Chasing arrows with circuit board pattern. Page 3 Figure 6: Credit: WEEE Symbol. (2008) Page 4 Figure 7 Credit: The weee man at the eden project. Page 4