Introduction
Industrial revolution followed by advancement in information technology during the last century has radically change people’s lifestyle. Although this development has helped the human race, the mismanagement has led to new problems of contamination and pollution. The technical process acquired during the last century has posed a new challenge in the management of waste. For example, personal computers (PCs) contain certain components which are highly toxic such as chlorinated and brominated substance.
The hazardous content of these materials poses an environmental and health threat. Thus proper management is necessary while disposing or recycling e- waste. Zaccheaus and Amadi (2012) defined e- waste as old, useless, discarded (end of life) electrical and electronic appliances or equipment which have been disposed of by their original owner. E-waste covers almost all types of electrical curd electronic equipment (EEE) that has or could enter the waste stream that is not easily degraded. Although e-waste is a general term, it can be considered to cover discard television, computer, mobile phones white, goods (such as fridge, air conditioners, dryers washing machines etc), toys coffee machines, toasters, microwaves, kettles, home entertainment, stereo system and almost any household or electrical component with power or battering supply.
Many hazards are associated with e-waste. Because of the presence of heavy metals and toxic substances like lead, mercury and others in e-waste, the health hazards cause damage to the brain and respiratory system skin disease, reproductive disorder, damage to bones an ozone depletion etc. according to (Onojeharho, 2011).
However, e-waste contains not just hazards substance but also valuable re-useable and scare materials, such as gold, silver and copper. Also, up to sixty (60) elements in the periodic table can be found in complex electronic (Woodeel, 2008).
The World Health Organization [WHO] (2014) further reveals that with the usage of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) on the rise, the amount of e-waste produce each day is equally growing enormously around the globe and therefore calls for immediate attention.
Conceptual framework
According to Brett (2009) E-waste problem has been a problem for years, but the explosive growth in our use of technology makes it a crisis today. He further reveal that the e-waste problem is of global concern because of the nature of production and disposal of waste in a globalized world. Onojeharho (2011) defined electronic waste (e-waste) as all loosely, unused, abandoned, discarded, surplus, outdated or broken electrical or electronic devices and installations appearing in solid and liquid forms.
Similarly, Sthianakpao and Wong (2012) described electronic waste as discarded electrical or electronic devices that may cause serious health and pollution problems in developing countries when processed informally.
Basic characteristic of e-waste
Woodell (2008) pointed out the characteristic/nature of e-waste these constituents include:
- E-Waste contain hazardous materials such as mercury, lead, cadmium, sulphur, americium etc. hence e-waste are hazardous to man health and the environment.
- E–Waste contains a range of toxic substances, such as lead, beryllium, brominates flame retardants, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Poly Chlorinated biphenyls (PCB).
- E–waste contains range elements most of which are not bio-degradable even though they may change form.
- Also E-waste contains many valuable and precious materials though in trace amount e.g. gold, silver, copper, platinum, palladium etc.
- E–waste materials are usually in solid form, but may form liquid and gaseous during processing i.e. recycling.
- E–waste treatment and management requires specialized often high – technological method.
- E–waste material do not emit offensive odour and they are non- biodegradable in nature.
- E–waste materials are combustible but may cause serious health and environmental problem if done in a rude manner.
Sources and generation of e–waste
Zaccheaus and Amadi (2012) classified E-waste based on their source and point of generation, such as follows:
- Household Appliances e.g. washing machine, dryers, refrigerators, air conditions, micro wave, toasters etc.
- Office Information and communication equipment e.g. PCS, laptops, mobile phones, fax machines, printer etc.
- Entertainment and consumers electronics e.g. television, VCR/DVD/ CD players, Hifi set etc.
- Lighting equipment e.g. florescent tube, sodium lamps etc.
- Electrical and Electronic tools e.g. drilling machines, electrical saws, sewing machines etc.
- Toys sports and recreational equipment e.g. electrical trains, coin slot machines, tread mill etc.
- Medical instruments and diagnoses, equipment e.g. X-ray machines, microscope, scanners etc.
- Surveillance and control equipment e.g. automatic issuing machine, ATM etc.
Factors that contribute to the e–waste problems
The factors contributing to E–waste problems include:
- Technological advancement
- Poor handling
- Little or no effective enforcement of regulations related to e-waste management and disposal.
- Ineffective and/or non-existence of infrastructure for e–waste management.
- Importation of e–waste from the advance countries to the undeveloped or developing countries.
- Technological advancement
According to Onojeharho (2011) technological advancement is the main factor contributing to e-waste generation. Every now and then, manufactures come up with a device that is more sophisticated, attractive, running faster and working more efficiently than the previous ones. The source further explained that in recent times, better phones like the Blackberries, Nokia X-series, i-phone, LGS and Samsungs flooded the market. Some of these phones comes as personal digital assistance (PDAS) and are louded with a wide range of programmes, facilities and features such as highly definition screen touch, cameras and voice control. These phones with better facilities have made the 2011 Nokia 3310, Motorola (200, and Sony Ericson absolute).
- Poor handling
Onojeharho (2011) further reveals that some consumers of electronic product are very careless in maintaining these devices and so cause it to go back easily.
- Little or no effective enforcement of regulation related to e- waste management and disposal
Osibanjo (2009) pointed out that there is little or no effective enforcement of regulations related to e–waste management and disposal. Adding that the practical e-waste management in Africa is unregulated more so some regulations which have been establish to handle e- waste are often limited since they exclude many hazardous substances including electronics.
- Ineffective and/or non–existence of Infrastructure for e–waste management
It was made clear by Osibanjo (2009) that there is no well establish system for the separation, sorting, storage, collection, transportation and disposal of E- waste in Africa.
- Importance of e-waste advance countries to undeveloped or developing countries.
Large amount of discarded digital are transported from various industrialized countries to certain, developing ones where low environmental standard and working conditions makes processing e- wastes more profitable (Onojeharho, 2011).
Health implication of e-waste
The problem associated with the disposal of these e- wastes cannot be over emphasizing. This includes;
- Their bulkiness
- The hazard
- The injuring ability.
- The bulkiness
Improper disposal of e-waste in the environment through throwing in trash or in landfill can cause toxic compound in the waste to leach into the soil and water, there by polluting lakes and streams and making them unfit for drinking, swimming, fishing and supporting wildlife (United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), 2009), also the uncontrolled dumping/heaping of these e-waste in streets and open places will result to the reduction of austenitic value of the environment.
- The hazard
Obomeokpere(2015) pointed out that the health effects resulting from indiscriminate disposal of e-waste. They include, damage to central peripheral and nervous system, kidney damage, toxic irreversible effects on human health, chronic damage to the brain, reproductive and development problem, asthma, DNA damage, immune system damage, respiratory and skin disorder due to bi-accumulation of hazardous substance in e-waste such as lead, mercury and cadmium.
- The injury ability
Uncontrolled dumping of e-waste such as abandoned vehicles by the roadside, can lead to accident and thereby causing injury. Also these abandon vehicles or tippers may be use as hide out for arm robbers which is injurious to human health.
Management/control of e-waste
For the management and control of e-waste to be achieve, the government, technological companies and individual have a very big role to play
- Role of government
Eneh (2012) reveal the role of government in e-waste management to include;
- Government should set up regulatory agencies in each state with the responsibility of coordinating and consolidating the regulatory functions of the various government authorities regarding hazardous substance e.g. (NESREA).
- Government should be responsible for providing an adequate system laws control and administration procedures for e-waste management.
- Government should encourage beneficial reuse of e-waste and set up. Program to promote recycling among citizen and business.
- Government should enforce strict regulation against dumping of e-waste in the country by outsiders and stringent penalties imposed where the laws are flouted.
- Government should also explore opportunities to partner with manufacture to provide recycling services.
2. Role of technological companies
Eneh (2012) went further to state the roles of industries manufacturing electrical and electronic equipment to include;
- Manufactures can put in effort to design electronic productions with fewer amounts of hazardous materials or by using less hazardous materials in production.
- Manufactures can also help by adapting waste minimization techniques which will make a significant reduction in the quantity of e-waste generated and thereby reducing the impact on the environment.
- Manufacturer must be responsible for educating consumers and general public regarding the potential treat to public health and the environment posed by their product.
- Onojeharho (2011) added that manufacturers should take responsibility to collect old devices from customers through well defined channels and reprocess them in safe manner.
- Eneh (2012) further stated that manufacturing industries should employ only properly train and qualified personnel to handle e- waste as well as the policy, management, control and operational levels.
3. The role of individuals
The role of individuals in e-waste management as pointed out by Onojeharho (2011) includes:
- Individuals/users on their parts should dispose of e-waste in a proper manner as suggested by the manufacturers.
- Individuals should not burn or dispose of e-waste with other waste.
- Consumers should reduce e-waste generation by good maintenance of devices.
- Consumers should re-use e-waste, in the sense that electronic devices that are still functional should be sold to others who need them or by using them occasionally.
- Eneh (2010) included that individuals can help by donating used electronics that are still in working conditions for re-use as it will help to extend the lives of valuable products and keep them out of the waste management system for a longer time
References
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