E-WASTE POSES A HEALTH HAZARD

Shorttitle:E-WASTE POSES A HEALTH HAZARD E- waste or electronic waste means the electronic products nearing the end of their useful life. The obsolete technology contains hazardous materials like lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic which pose great threats to the human being.Project Agastya and the Environment and Health foundation of Bangalore in India have launched an awareness drive on e-waste. It is estimated that 75 percent of electronic items are stored due to uncertainty of how to manage it. The government is responsible for providing adequate system of laws, control and administrative procedure for hazardous waste management. The existing laws regarding the disposal of e-waste should be revamped. Research and development activities must be encouraged, standard of hazardous waste management, environment monitoring should also be taken care of. Government must impose strict regulations and penalties against law flouters and those outsiders who dump ewaste in the country. Generators of e- wastes should take responsibilities of wastes, if hazardous, should provide management option.