Question

Mention how e-waste is produced and disposed of. Write the solution for its treatment.

Answer 1

Hint: The electrical or electronic equipment that have been discarded and are thrown in the garbage constitute the e-waste and they contain various elements that are harmful to plants and animals.

Complete Answer:
Electronic waste or e-waste is from irreparable electronic products like a computer, cell phones, laptops, etc. They are disposed-off by landfill incineration or burial. However, these two methods produce toxic pollutants which, due to leaching from burial grounds or landfills, can potentially pollute the air through incinerators and the soil and water bodies.
Toxic materials, such as lead, zinc, nickel, flame retardants, barium, and chromium, present in computers and most electronics, may cause harm to human blood, kidneys, and the central and peripheral nervous system if released into the atmosphere.
The harm caused by the heating up of e-waste releasing hazardous chemicals into the air and destroying the atmosphere is one of E-waste's main environmental impacts. This will result in various airborne illnesses and increase air pollution, rendering it unsafe to breathe and live. The electronic waste, mostly dumped into landfills, releases pollutants that leak into groundwater. This affects both the animals on land and at sea. In developing countries particularly, where most of the electronic waste is deposited in landfills, people's health is also affected. Such soil pollution would also result in vegetation loss and affect the world.
Proper recycling of e-waste is one of the solutions to problems created by improper e-waste disposal.
The most successful solution to the rising e-waste issue is the recycling of raw materials from end-of-life electronics. Most electronic devices include a number of materials, including metals which can be recycled for potential uses. By dismantling and offering possibilities for reuse, intact natural resources are conserved and contamination of air and water caused by hazardous disposal is avoided. Recycling also decreases the amount of greenhouse gas pollution produced by the production of new products. Another advantage of e-waste recycling is that many of the items can be recycled and reused. Recyclable materials include "ferrous (iron-based) and non-ferrous metals, glass, and diverse plastic types."The non-ferrous metals, mostly aluminum and copper, can be re-melted and reprocessed. Even ferrous metals like steel and iron can be used again.

Note:
Accumulation of toxic substances due to improper use such as arsenic in the lung and kidney will lead to various problems and side effects. Reproductive damage, reduced brain development, respiratory problems, cardiovascular problems, and cancer are some of the effects of improper e-waste disposal.