Choice of topic: Inadequate recycling of electronic waste Problems: Electronic equipment contains toxic materials that can pose health and environmental risks, particularly when disposed of in landfills, where toxins may leak into the soil and ground water. As a result, the local environment in those areas can become contaminated, and local residents, in an effort to reclaim valuable metal components, may be exposed to hazardous materials.
Parts
Harmful Substances
Computer and television monitors with cathode ray tubes
Lead
Printed circuit boards in computers, music players
Chromium, Nickel, Zinc
Batteries
Nickel, Cadmium
Relays, switches, liquid crystal displays
Mercury
Source: Currently, one-in-six children born every year in America have been exposed to mercury levels so high that they are potentially at risk for learning disabilities and motor skills impairment and short-term memory loss, possibly due to the canned tuna which had high levels of mercury due to excessive exposure to the emissions of coal-fired power plants. Globally, 630,000 children each year are exposed to potentially unsafe mercury levels in the womb.
Problems:
Electronic equipment contains toxic materials that can pose health and environmental risks, particularly when disposed of in landfills, where toxins may leak into the soil and ground water. As a result, the local environment in those areas can become contaminated, and local residents, in an effort to reclaim valuable metal components, may be exposed to hazardous materials.
Currently, one-in-six children born every year in America have been exposed to mercury levels so high that they are potentially at risk for learning disabilities and motor skills impairment and short-term memory loss, possibly due to the canned tuna which had high levels of mercury due to excessive exposure to the emissions of coal-fired power plants. Globally, 630,000 children each year are exposed to potentially unsafe mercury levels in the womb.