Establishing E-waste Channels

to Enhance Environment

Friendly Recycling

Environment, Health & Occupational

Safety Issues

Collection

What happens with E-waste?Recycle

Export

Refurbishment

Reuse

Dismantling

Segregation

Open Burning Landfill

Toxics in E-wasteOver 1000 materials, many toxic

• Lead and cadmium in circuit boards;

• Lead oxide and cadmium in monitor cathode ray tubes

(CRTs);

• Mercury in switches and flat screen monitors

• Cadmium in computer batteries;

• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in older capacitors and

transformers;

• Brominated flame retardants on printed circuit boards,

plastic casings, cables

• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cable insulation - release highly

toxic dioxins and furans when burned

Health Impacts of Toxics in E-waste

Health Impacts of Toxics in E-waste

Selenium

Beryllium

Mercury

Chromium

Arsenic

TCE

Cadmium

Lead

PVC

Barium

BFRs

PCBs

Dioxins & Furans

Lead

• Lead affects nervous systems, renal function, blood cells & the metabolism of vitamin D & calcium.

• Lead can also cause hypertension, reproductive toxicity, and developmental effects

• The developing nervous system of a child can be affected adversely. Elevated blood lead level can result in Learning disabilities, Behavioral problems & Mental retardation

• Acute high lead exposure can cause serious physiologic effects, including death or long-term damage to brain function and organ systems

• Nervous system is sensitive to metallic mercury.

• Exposure to very high levels of mercury vapor can cause brain, kidney, and lung damage and may seriously harm a developing fetus.

Mercury

• High exposure may produce coughing, chest pains, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increases in blood pressure or heart rate, skin rashes, and eye irritation.

• Lower levels for prolonged periods may produce subtle effects, such as irritability, sleep disturbances, excessive shyness and memory problems.

•Breathing high levels of cadmium severely damages the lungs and can cause death•Eating food or drinking water with very high levels severely irritates the stomach, leading to vomiting and diarrhea•Long-term exposure to lower levels of cadmium in air, food, or water leads to a buildup of cadmium in the kidneys and possible kidney disease.

Cadmium

•Other long-term effects are lung damage and fragile bones•Breathing cadmium in cigarette smoke (doubles the average daily intake)

BFRs

• Some brominated compounds share many properties with organochlorine compounds such as DDT or PCBs

• PBDEs are long-lived, fat - seeking and therefore bio-accumulate in animal tissue

• Possible endocrine disruptors

BFRs

Environment Impacts

• Emissions of dioxins/ heavy metals – lead, cadmium,

mercury

• Other contaminants like BFRs

• Spent fluids/chemicals in soil

• Groundwater contamination

• Non-recyclables- Landfilling and leachate

• Beyond workplace street dusts showed traces of PCBs

Soil analysis in DelhiDioxin > 350 ng/kg TS

Copper > 7‘500 mg/kg TS

Lead > 50‘000 mg/kg TS

Zinc > 4‘500 mg/kg TSSource:

http://ewasteguide.info/files/Rochat_2008_WasteCon_slides.pdf

Groundwater contamination

www.torontowaste.webs.com

Potential Hazards at the Workplace

• Design of the workplace

• Storage

• Work procedures

• Chemicals

• Improper disposal of waste

15

Work ProceduresCOMPUTER/

E-WASTE

COMPONENTS

PROCESS HEALTH HAZARD ENV HAZARD

Cathode Ray Tube

(CRTs)

Breaking

removal of

copper yoke

Silicosis Cuts from CRT

glass in case of implosion

Inhalation or contract with

phosphor containingcadmium or other metals

Lead, barium and

other heavy metals

leaching into

groundwater,

release of toxic

phosphor

Printed circuit boards De-soldering

and removing

computer

chips

Tin and lead inhalation

Possible brominated

dioxin, beryllium,

cadmium, mercury

inhalation

Air emission of

same substances

16

COMPUTER/E-WASTE

COMPONENTS

PROCESS HEALTH HAZARD ENV HAZARD

Dismantled printed

circuit board processing

Open burning

of waste

boards that

have had chips

removed to

remove final

metals

Toxicity to workers and

nearby residents from tin,

lead, brominated dioxin,

beryllium, cadmium

and mercury inhalation

Respiratory irritation

Tin and lead

contamination

including of surface

and groundwaters.

Brominated dioxins,

beryllium, cadmium

and Hg emissions

Chips and other gold

plated components

Chemical

stripping using

nitric and

hydrochloric

acid along

riverbanks

Acid contact with eyes,

skin may result in

permanent injury.

Inhalation of mists and

fumres of acids, chlorine

and sulphur dioxide gases

can cause respiratory

irritation to severe effects

including pulmonary

edema, circulatory failure

and death.

Hydrocarbons,

heavy metals,

brominated

substances, etc.

discharged directly

into river and banks.

Acidifies the river

destroying fish and

flora

Work Procedures

17

COMPUTER/E-

WASTE

COMPONENTS

PROCESS HEALTH HAZARD ENV HAZARD

Plastics from computer

and peripherals, e.g.

printers, keyboards,

etc.

Shredding

and low

temperature

melting to be

reutilized in

poor grade

plastics

Probable hydrocarbon,

brominated dioxin and

heavy metal exposure

Emissions of

brominated dioxins

and heavy metals

and hydrocarbons

Computer wires Open burning

to recover

copper

Brominated and

chlorinated dioxin,

polycyclic aromatic

hydrocarbons (PAH)

(carcinogenic) exposure

to workers living in the

burning works area

Hydrocarbon ashes

including PAH’s

discharged to air,

water and soil.

Work Procedures

Exercise 1

Participants may please list down the process used in treatment of

e-waste and possible hazards

Hazards - Occupational

Direct Exposure

– Open burning of wires ( dioxin levels)

– Lead/ mercury emissions

– Acid contact

– Physical injuries

Indirect Exposures:

– Emissions/ fumes

– Through soil/ water

High Risk Group

– Children & young

– Pregnant ladies / fetus

– Elderly & old

– Preexisting illness

– Smokers & alcohol consumption

– Poor nutritional status

Hazardous Chemicals Used and Emitted in Recovering of Precious Metal

• Nitric Acid (raw, fumes and effluent)

• Caustic soda

• Mercury

• Cyanides

• Aluminum foils

Exercise 2: What are these chemicals locally known as?

• Nitric acid

• Caustic soda

• Mercury

• Cyanides

• Aluminum foils

www.stewardshipcommunity.com

Nitric Acid (raw, fumes & effluent)Skin contact •May cause skin irritation/burns,

•May cause deep, penetrating ulcers of skin

Eye contact •Causes severe eye burns,

•Irreversible eye injury.

Ingestion •Causes gastrointestinal tract burns. •May cause perforation of the digestive tract.

Inhalation •May cause irritation of the respiratory tract with burning

pain in the nose and throat, coughing, wheezing,

shortness of breath and pulmonary oedema.

•Repeated inhalation may cause chronic bronchitis.

Repeated exposure may cause erosion of teeth.

Emission to environment

Contamination of soil and groundwater, may affect aquatic systems.

Caustic Soda

Skin contact May be fatal if absorbed through the skin. Causes skin burns. May cause deep, penetrating ulcers of the skin.

Eye contact Cause severe eye burns

Ingestion Harmful if swallowed. Causes gastrointestinal tract burns. Causes severe pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and shock.

Inhalation Irritation may lead to chemical pneumonitis and pulmonary oedema. Causes severe irritation of upper respiratory tract with coughing, burns, breathing difficulty and possible coma

Mercury

Skin contact May cause skin irritation. May be harmful if absorbed

through the skin.

Eye contact May cause eye irritation

Ingestion Harmful

Inhalation Severe liver, kidney or CNS damage. May cause respiratory

tract irritation

Emission to

environment

Mercury is very strongly bio-accumulative so that it remains

all along the food chain. It's concentration in the organism of

end-of-chain predators may be up to 1 million times superior

to the ambient concentration. It may also affect marine

aquatic environments.

CyanidesSkin contact May cause severe irritation, dermatitis, ulceration & possible burns of

skin

Eye contact Contact with eyes may cause severe irritation, and possible eye burns.

Ingestion May be fatal if swallowed. May cause severe gastrointestinal tract irritation with nausea, vomiting and possible burns. May cause tissue anoxia, characterized by weakness, headache, dizziness, confusion, cyanosis (bluish skin due to deficient oxygenation of the blood),weak and irregular heart beat, collapse, unconsciousness, convulsions, coma and death.

Inhalation Inhalation of high concentrations may cause central nervous system effects characterized by nausea, headache, dizziness, unconsciousness and coma. Causes cyanosis. May cause severe irritation of the respiratory tract with sore throat, coughing, shortness of breath and delayed lung oedema.

Emission to environment

Cyanide has a high poison potential to people, plants and animals. It does not bio-accumulate, so that the main exposure route is through surface drinking water.

Aluminum foils

Skin contact Low hazard for usual handling. If repeated skin contact has been associated with bleeding into the tissues, delayed hypersensitivity and granulomas may occur.

Eye contact Aluminium particles may cause corneal necrosis

Ingestion Ingestion of large amounts may cause gastrointestinal irritation.

Inhalation Aluminium dust is irritating to the respiratory tract. Exposure may cause coughing, shortness of breath, lethargy and an increased respiration rate. Chronic inhalation of finely divided powder has been reported to cause pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema.

Emissions during Processing

• Burning

• Acid Bath

Women: More vulnerable

Children: Development problems

Open dumping of the remains

Exercise 3

Participants may please give details of the residue disposal

Exercise 4: What’s wrong in this pic? Suggest remedial measures

Exercise 5: What’s wrong in this pic? Suggest remedial measures

Safe Practices & precautionary method

• Document work procedures

• Train and monitor workers

Dismantling

• Identify hazardous components

• Separate before dismantling

• Regular monitoring

Precious Metal Recovery

• Training on precautions while using chemicals

• Regular monitoring

Organizing the Workplace

The area should be cleaned and free of dust

Good ventilation and lighting

Toilet with washbasin

Fire extinguisher and First aid kit

The electrical points with proper wiring and plugs

The seating arrangements for workers should be comfortable

The inventory of materials and labelling is an important aspect

A specific storage area is dedicated towards storage of all raw materials

The same is kept in boxes or plastic bags

Chemicals are stored away from the work area with a overhead shelter

Waste disposal system to prevent contamination

Caution signs, Posters/charts are also pasted on the walls

Personal Protective Equipments-PPEs

• Head protection-Helmet of plastic / rubber

• Respiratory protective equipments- canister respirators with particulate filter

• Eye and face protection-goggles / eye shield, face shield / wire mesh screen guard

• Ear protection-ear plugs

• Arm & hand protection-gountle-cuff gloves / wrist gloves and mittens made of polyethylene, neoprene, butyl rubber or nitrile

• Foot & leg protection – conductive shoes made of PVC/ rubber or nitrile with wooden soles

• Body Protective clothing- cloth of neoprene, vinyl, Polypropylene, polyethylene or fabrics coated

Helmet

Helmet Respirator

Eye shield / goggles Ear Plug

Face shield / mesh screen guard Gloves

www.easyguides.com

Personal Hygiene

• Thoroughly wash hands, legs and face after work, beforeeating, drinking or smoking, and after using the toilet

• Keep fingernails clean and short

• Provide a protective dressing where there are cuts or sores

• Remove and wash separately any contaminated itemclothing

• Control equipment and PPEs must be maintained

Accidental control & Emergency

Response•Training of workers in accident control, emergency response and first aid

•Fire extinguishers in the workplace

•Identification of chemicals and their toxicity

•Chemical Burns - Occur mainly on the face, eyes, and arms and legs. Medical

treatment in hospital

Chemical spills –

•Evacuate personnel to an safe area

•Eliminate the further spread of the chemical

•Attempt to contain the spill or leaks

First-aid box –

A relatively simple first-aid box will include - Sterile adhesive dressings, bandages,

Sterile burn sheets, Sterile eye pads, safety pins , scissors, antiseptic lotions, cotton

balls, disposable gloves and first aid card

In Emergency If

Eye contact

• Immediately flush the eye with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes

• Occasionally lifting upper and lower eyelids and call for immediate

medical help

• Do NOT allow victim to rub eyes or to keep eyes closed

Skin Contact

• Promptly flush the contaminated skin with plenty of water for at least

15 minutes

• Remove any contaminated clothing

• If skin reddens or appears damaged, call for medical help

• Wash clothing before reuse

In Emergency ifIngestion

• To avoid contact with food

• Do NOT induce vomiting

• Induce vomiting by giving one teaspoon of Syrup of Ipecac

• If victim is conscious and alert, give 2-4 cupfuls of milk or water

• Get medical aid immediately

Inhalation

• Avoid inhalation by working with proper exhaust ventilation

• Remove from exposure and move to fresh air immediately

• If breathing has stopped, perform artificial resuscitation

• If breathing is difficult, give oxygen

• Keep the affected person warm and at rest

• Get medical attention as soon as possible

In Emergency

Emission to Environment

• Small amounts of dilute nitric acid may be flushed down with a large quantity of water, Larger amounts must be neutralised before disposal

• In case of spills/leaks: absorb spill with inert material (e.g. vermiculite, sand or earth), then place in suitable container

• Avoid leakage and spillage. Wash spills immediately and dispose properly the washing materials

• Do not spill mercury & cyanides containing solutions directly into the environment

DO AND DON'TS

DO DO NOT

Always wear appropriate PPEs Eat in the workplace area

Wash hands thoroughly after use of acids, caustic soda, mercury, cyanide and aluminium foils

Smoke in the workplace area

Attend to chemical spills immediately Employ Children at the workplace area

Clean gloves, aprons/coats, shoes thoroughly after use and dry them

Keep PPEs in appropriate storage area

Dispose used PPEs properly in designated area

Thank You