E-WASTE- THE TOXIC LEGACY OF OUR DIGITAL AGE

Abstract

The rapid growth in Information and Telecommunications Technology (ICT) has led to an improvement in the capacity of electronic products but simultaneously to a decrease in the product’s life time as a result of which increasingly large quantities of E-waste are generated annually.  This ever increasing waste is very complex in nature and is also a rich source of metals such as gold, silver and copper which can be recovered and brought back into the production cycle.  Improper dismantling and processing of e-waste render it perilous to human health and our ecosystem.  Therefore, the need of proper e-waste management has been realized.  It is necessary to review the public health risks and strategies to combat this growing menace.  The article tries to study the environmental and health impact of E-waste.  The article also analyses various e-waste management methods.