The report, “Toxic Tech: Recycling of electronic wastes in China
and India: workplace and environmental contamination”, details the
results of analysis of the dust from workshops, as well as
wastewater, soil and sediment from local rivers in both
countries.
It warns that toxic chemicals, including heavy metals, can be
released from the e-waste at all stages of the recycling process,
and that the wastes and chemicals used in the process are often
handled with little regard for the “health and safety of the
workforce or surrounding communities and with no regard for the
environment.”
“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
Greenpeace International scientist, who collected the samples.
According to Greenpeace, concentrations of lead in dust samples
collected from some workshops in China were hundreds of times
higher than typical levels of household dusts. The levels of lead
in dust collected from similar workshops in India were
approximately 5-20 times background levels.
Contamination was not limited to the recycling yards, says the
report; dust collected from the homes of two e-waste recycling
workers in China had higher levels of heavy metals, particularly
lead, compared to dust collected from one neighbouring house with
no link to e-waste recycling.
“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,” warned Dr Brigden.
The release of the report comes a few days after the European
Directive on Waste from Electrical and Electronics Equipment (WEEE)
came into effect on 13th August. This Directive sets criteria for
the collection, treatment, recycling and recovery of waste
electrical and electronic equipment.
Another EU law, the Directive on the Restriction of the Use of
Hazardous Substances (RoHS Directive) facilitates the dismantling
and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment by
restricting the use of hazardous substances used in their
manufacture. It is due to be in force from 1st July 2006.
Member States were supposed to have implementing legislation for
both Directives in place by August 2004. The UK missed the
deadline, blaming its delay on difficulties in publishing the draft
regulations and guidance notes, and last week warned that major
parts of the WEEE Directive would not come into force until June
next year.
The European Commission is already taking action against the
eight Member States, including the UK, that have not yet
implemented the legislation.
