Interesting facts about cell phones September 2006= 2.5 billion cell phone users, from 2 billion 2005 Currently = over 3.5 billion Average user replaces her cell phone every 18 months. More than 36 percent of all 11- to 14-year-olds own their own cell phone More than 15 percent own a hand-held internet device

Cell Phones Instructions: Goal: consider the sustainability of an everyday item that you use Maths Skills: percents, conversions, number sense Sustainability connection: risk-benefit analysis Instructions: Use the chart on the worksheet to answer questions #1-3. 2. If you finish those, go onto the rest!

Cell Phones If everybody recycled his or her cell phone, over 200 million euros would be recouped in gold!

Click To Type Slide Title Doucette, Gopal Dayaneni and John. System Error. San Jose, CA: Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, 2005. Click To Type Slide Title

What’s In Your Phone? Cadmium Lead Mercury Accumulates in kidneys Causes brain damage Mercury Heavy Metal Lessens brain function in children and causes damage to central nervous system, builds up in kidneys

Brominated Flame Retardants What’s In Your Phone? Damages DNA & linked to asthmatic bronchitis Hexavalent Chromium Brominated Flame Retardants Causes multi-organ system failure that can lead to death Arsenic Chemical Heavy Metal May be an endocrine disrupter & may increase risk for cancer of digestive & lymph systems

Open burning & heating allows toxins into respiratory system Acid treatment allows heavy metals to infiltrate soil and water Source Credit: Ravi Agarwal at Toxics Link

Recent study by Greenpeace in Ghana found most workers are Children mostly between the ages of 11-18. Source Credit: Ravi Agarwal at Toxics Link Picture Credit: arch1design.com

Considering the 3 “E”s, is cell phone recycling worth it? Environment Economics Social Equity 1 2 3 Considering the 3 “E”s, is cell phone recycling worth it? *you will be asked to share your answers with the group!