E-waste: the growing global problem and next steps

Michelle Heacock; Carol Bain Kelly; William A. Suk

doi:10.1515/reveh-2015-0045

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E-waste: the growing global problem and next steps

Michelle Heacock , Carol Bain Kelly und William A. Suk

Veröffentlicht/Copyright: 28. Januar 2016

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Aus der Zeitschrift Reviews on Environmental Health Band 31 Heft 1

Abstract

In many low- and middle-income countries, handling and disposal of discarded electrical or electronic equipment (EEE) is frequently unregulated. e-Waste contains hazardous constituents such as lead, mercury, and chromium, certain chemicals in plastics, and flame retardants. There is increasing concern about health effects related to contamination in air, soil, and water for people working and living at or near informal e-waste processing sites, especially to the most vulnerable populations, pregnant women and children. The observed adverse health effects and increasing number of e-waste sites make protecting human health and the environment from e-waste contamination an expanding challenge. Through international cooperation, awareness can be elevated about the harm that e-waste processing poses to human health. Here we discuss how international researchers, public health practitioners, and policymakers can employ solutions to reduce e-waste exposures.

Keywords: children’s health; environmental contamination; e-waste; international cooperation; mitigation

Corresponding author: William A. Suk, Hazardous Substances Research Branch/Superfund Research Program, National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Research Triangle Park, NC, USA, E-mail: suk@niehs.nih.gov

Acknowledgments

This review benefitted from comments and ideas provided during the WHO e-waste and children’s health international work group meeting and in preparation of a manuscript recently accepted by Environmental Health Perspectives with these contributors: Kwadwo Ansong Asante, Linda S. Birnbaum, Ake Lennart Bergman, Marie-Noel Bruné, Irena Buka, David Carpenter, Aimin Chen, Xia Huo, Mostafa Kamel, Philip J. Landrigan, Federico Magalini, Fernando Diaz Barriga, Maria Neira, Magdy Omar, Antonio Pascale, Mathuros Ruchirawat, Leith Sly, Peter D. Sly, and Martin Van den Berg.

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Received: 2015-10-13

Accepted: 2015-10-14

Published Online: 2016-01-28

Published in Print: 2016-03-01

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https://doi.org/10.1515/reveh-2015-0045

Schlagwörter für diesen Artikel

children’s health; environmental contamination; e-waste; international cooperation; mitigation