The extent of E-waste as an issue in China

European Union Times: Online Newspaper, L Guang (Dec, 2007) (The pollution in China Exposed! – Photo Gallery http://www.eutimes.net/2009/12/the-pollution-in-china-exposed-photo-gallery/

European Union Times: Online Newspaper, L Guang (Dec, 2007) (The pollution in China Exposed! – Photo Gallery http://www.eutimes.net/2009/12/the-pollution-in-china-exposed-photo-gallery/

“when thrown into landfills or incinerated, computers and computer monitors can release hazardous materials and heavy metals into the environment such as lead, mercury and hexavalen chromium. Each of these substances pose unique dangers to human beings and their environment…

these substances will eventually leak into the drinking water supply and the human food chain” J.Sterne (2004,

p26)

Sterne. J 2007, 'Out with the trash: on the future of new media,' in CR Acland (ed.), Residual Media, Univeristy of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis.

SCIENCE DAILY ‘Hazardous E-Waste Surging in Developing Countries’

Provides statistical evidence to demonstrate the extent if the e-waste distribution to developing countries, in particular China.

Types of E-waste:•China: 500,000 tonnes from refrigerators, 1.3 million tonnes from TVs, 300,000 tonnes from personal computers

E-waste as a growing issue:•In 2020, e-waste from discarded mobile phones in China will be about 7

times higher than 2007

United Nations University. “Hazardous E-Waste Surging in Developing Countries.” Science Daily http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100222081911.htm

ONLINE ARTICLE

Asia Society, M Zhao http://michaelzhao.net/eDump/

Provides a virtual look at ‘traffic maps’ and a series short videos and documentaries and information about e-waste movement, its effects and also possible solutions to the problem.

Asia Society, E-waste: Dumping on the Poor, Interview with Michael Zhao http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXzsqTFwV3Q

An interview with Michael Zhao as he explains and describes the ‘digital book’. This source can be used to support the previous source.

Micheal Zhao – “Digital Book”

Micheal Zhao – An Interview

CBS NEWS, 60 Minutes Following the Trail of toxic E-waste

DOCUMENTARY

60 minutes correspondent Scott Pelley went to China and recorded the black market that exists with e-waste in China.The documentary also portrays Chinese workers engaging in illegal recycling of e-waste, exposing them to hazardous materials which have proved to be problematic to their health.

Health Problems in China

Environ Health Perspect  (2006)  Shantou University Medical College http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1913570

Shantou University of Medicine sampled 226 children under the age of 6:

•Boys were found to be considerably higher than girls.

•Of children tested in Guiyu, 81.8% had Blood Lead Levels Higher than 10 μg/dL

•American Academy of Paediatrics defines lead poisoning as levels higher than 10 μg/dL

Also found:

•Pregnant women in Guiyu are 6 times more likely to result in a miscarriage

•Children in Guiyu were found to have IQ levels that were below average

Incorrect methods of processing e-waste

Environ Health Perspect  (2006)  Shantou University Medical College http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1913570

“Nearly 60–80% of families in the town have engaged in e-waste recycling operations conducted by small scale family-run

workshops”

Blog- The impact of improper e-waste recycling

•Found contamination in the soil, the water supply and the air.

• Lead: A neurotoxin, causes damage to the central and peripheral nervous systems, blood systems, kidney and reproductive system.

•Mercury: Can cause brain and kidney damage and is also harmful to the developing fetus because it can pass through breast milk.

•Beryllium: Inhalation can cause lung cancer

•Cadmium: Causes cancer and can damage the bones and kidneys, where it accumulates.

E-waste Project Blogspot: The impact of improper e-waste recycling (24/12/09) http://ewasteproject.blogspot.com/2009/11/impact-of-e-waste.html

What is being done to reduce health problems in China?

Greenpeace (2008). The e-Waste Problem, http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/toxics/electronics/the-e-waste-problem

GREENPEACE ORGANISATION

•This website offers solutions to the harmful effects of wasted technology.

•Demonstrates how companies and organizations are trying to reduce health risks by removing hazardous materials from products to create ‘greener electronics.’

•Compares major companies in terms of policies on toxic chemicals and recycling.

•Nokia holds the top ranking with 7.3 as the company have implemented restrictions on certain hazardous materials in their products.

StEP; Solving the E-waste Problem http://www.step-initiative.org/index.php

SOLVING THE E-WASTE PROBLEM

StEP (Solving the E-waste Problem) is an initiative developed by various UN organizations. It is aimed at solving the problem through the development of various projects and also through the education and distribution of information to the public about e-waste management.

Environ Health Perspect  (2006)  Shantou University Medical College, http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1913570 [accessed 23/03/10]

CBS NEWS, 60 Minutes Following the Trail of toxic E-waste (27/08/10) http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/08/19/60minutes/main4579229.shtml?tag=currentVideoInfo;segmentUtilities  [accessed 22/03/10]

Sterne. J 2007, 'Out with the trash: on the future of new media,' in CR Acland (ed.), Residual Media, Univeristy of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis.

European Union Times: Online Newspaper, L Guang (Dec, 2007) (The pollution in China Exposed! – Photo Gallery http://www.eutimes.net/2009/12/the-pollution-in-china-exposed-photo-gallery/ [accessed 22/03/10]

Asia Society, M Zhao http://michaelzhao.net/eDump/[accessed 23/03/10]

Asia Society, E-waste: Dumping on the Poor, Interview with Michael Zhao (posted 12/10/07) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXzsqTFwV3Q [accessed 24/03/10]

United Nations University. “Hazardous E-Waste Surging in Developing Countries.” Science Daily http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100222081911.htm [accessed 23/03/10]

Greenpeace (2008). The e-Waste Problem,http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/toxics/electronics/the-e-waste-problem [accessed 20-03-10]

StEP; Solving the E-waste Problem http://www.step-initiative.org/index.php [accessed 22/03/10]

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