Toxic legacy of e-waste revealed

Friday 19 August 2005

Scrap yards that recycle ‘e-waste’ in China and India are exposing workers and the surrounding environment to a host of highly dangerous chemicals, according to a new report published by Greenpeace this week. Coming just days after the scheduled launch of the WEEE Directive (Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment) – which is yet to be implemented in various member states – the ‘Toxic Tech’ report highlights the ongoing black market for sending dangerous and sensitive waste to developing countries.

The study focused on dust found in the scrap yard workshops along with wastewater, soil and sediment from nearby rivers, all of which showed evidence of toxic content. Concentrations of lead in dust found in dust samples from locations in China registered a lead content hundreds of times higher than that of typical household dust. Tests carried out in the homes of two e-waste workers in China showed higher levels of heavy metals than neighbouring homes with no connection to the industry.

“The report provides a compelling case for immediate action in both countries to address workplace health and safety issues, as well as waste management practices,” said Dr. Kevin Brigden, a scientist at Greenpeace International, who worked on the investigation. “The data reinforces the need for the electronics industry to eliminate the use of harmful substances in their products at the design stage and take responsibility for their products at the end of their lifecycle.”

The WEEE Directive, when fully introduced, will make companies responsible for the safe decommissioning of their own products at the end of their lifecycles, in order to encourage a more sustainable production. Five leading electronics manufacturers (Samsung, Nokia, Sony, Sony Ericsson and LG) have taken steps to reduce levels of particular hazardous chemicals in their products, with more set to follow.

“With the most recent commitment of LG, the five ‘first in class’ companies in the electronics sector with 55% share of the global mobile telephone market and Sony, which is the leader in the electronics industry, show that it is possible to make electronic equipment without the use of these hazardous substances and still remain profitable,” commented Zeina Alhajj, Greenpeace International Toxics Campaigner.

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