Page 21 - The Caribbean Examiner 1-2020

THE CARIBBEAN EXAMINER

E-Waste and U

By Dr Denise M. Beckles
Lecturer Department of Chemistry, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad

Consider this all-too-familiar scenario hazardous. Once the item is no longer useful themselves contaminated. For example,
– a cell phone dropped, broken beyond however, it becomes e-waste and it can be certain types of oysters accumulate lead to
repair. You get another phone, but what to a problem. Many of these items contain such an extent, the flesh of an oyster can
do with the broken one? Most likely you hazardous chemicals like halogenated have up to 3,300 times more lead than the
would throw it in the trash with a sigh of organic compounds or heavy metals. In contaminated water to which the oyster
regret. A common occurrence, but one that addition, there is a lot of e-waste out there. was exposed. When these contaminated
can have severe environmental impacts in As technology becomes more advanced and organisms are eaten by others higher in
every Caribbean country. more widespread, the volume of e-waste the food chain, biomagnification occurs,
E-waste is any non-functional or increases. Worldwide, as much as 50 million resulting in the organisms at the higher
obsolete electrical or electronic equipment. tonnes of e-waste is generated annually. In levels of the food chain having greater
This can include televisions, computers, the Caribbean, the majority of this material concentrations of the original contaminant.
cellular phones, stereo equipment, even is not recycled or disposed of appropriately, Exposure to metals found in e-waste like
refrigerators, microwave ovens and hazardous chemicals that are released lead, mercury and cadmium can have
and car parts. These are all from these items can migrate into the serious effects on a number of human
familiar items in our homes – not environment, causing pollution. organ systems including kidneys, liver,
things that are generally So where do these hazardous chemicals brain and nervous system.
considered come from? The plastic components So what can you do to avoid adding
of computers, for example, may contain to the e-waste problem? One of the best
halogenated compounds. Computer casings ways to reduce waste is not to produce it.
may contain polyvinyl chloride (PVC), while If your cellular phone, tablet or computer
printed circuit boards may contain brominated still works, consider wiping its memory and
flame retardants. E-wastes often also contain donating them to local NGOs, schools or
a wide variety of metals, like lead, mercury, other organisations that can use them. If
copper, and even gold. In fact, one tonne the device no longer works, do not throw it
of e-waste can have more gold than one in the trash, but investigate suitable disposal
tonne of gold ore! The environmental impact options. Your local solid waste management
of the chemicals in e-waste is greatly organisation is a good place to start. The
increased with poor handling and disposal persons there can guide you on how to
practices, as this allows the chemicals dispose of your old device without adding
to enter the environment. E-waste items to the global e-waste problem. Finally,
in a landfill are subject to leaching, and consider a lifestyle change – reduce your
once contaminants are dissolved in water, consumption. The manufacturers of cellular
they are able to travel long distances in phones, tablets and televisions would love
groundwater, rivers and lakes. Organisms for you to get the next best thing as soon
that come into contact with these chemicals as it comes out. But do you really need a
may experience bioaccumulation; which is new cell phone every year? Think again –
when the organisms absorb the chemical your wallet and your environment will thank
of interest into their bodies, becoming you for it!

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