sly-preventionintervention-2018.pdf (218.32 kB)
Prevention-intervention strategies to reduce exposure to e-waste
journal contribution
posted on 2018-06-01, 00:00 authored by M Heacock, B Trottier, S Adhikary, K A Asante, N Basu, M N Brune, J Caravanos, D Carpenter, D Cazabon, P Chakraborty, A Chen, F D Barriga, B Ericson, J Fobil, B Haryanto, X Huo, T K Joshi, P Landrigan, A Lopez, F Magalini, P Navasumrit, A Pascale, S Sambandam, U S Aslia Kamil, L Sly, Peter Sly, A Suk, I Suraweera, R Tamin, E Vicario, W SukAbstract
As one of the largest waste streams, electronic waste (e-waste) production continues to grow in response to global demand for consumer electronics. This waste is often shipped to developing countries where it is disassembled and recycled. In many cases, e-waste recycling activities are conducted in informal settings with very few controls or protections in place for workers. These activities involve exposure to hazardous substances such as cadmium, lead, and brominated flame retardants and are frequently performed by women and children. Although recycling practices and exposures vary by scale and geographic region, we present case studies of e-waste recycling scenarios and intervention approaches to reduce or prevent exposures to the hazardous substances in e-waste that may be broadly applicable to diverse situations. Drawing on parallels identified in these cases, we discuss the future prevention and intervention strategies that recognize the difficult economic realities of informal e-waste recycling.
As one of the largest waste streams, electronic waste (e-waste) production continues to grow in response to global demand for consumer electronics. This waste is often shipped to developing countries where it is disassembled and recycled. In many cases, e-waste recycling activities are conducted in informal settings with very few controls or protections in place for workers. These activities involve exposure to hazardous substances such as cadmium, lead, and brominated flame retardants and are frequently performed by women and children. Although recycling practices and exposures vary by scale and geographic region, we present case studies of e-waste recycling scenarios and intervention approaches to reduce or prevent exposures to the hazardous substances in e-waste that may be broadly applicable to diverse situations. Drawing on parallels identified in these cases, we discuss the future prevention and intervention strategies that recognize the difficult economic realities of informal e-waste recycling.
History
Journal
Reviews on Environmental HealthVolume
33Issue
2Pagination
219 - 228Publisher
De GruyterLocation
Berlin, GermanyPublisher DOI
ISSN
0048-7554eISSN
2191-0308Language
engPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalUsage metrics
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No categories selectedKeywords
CHINAelectronic recyclingelectronic waste (e-waste)environmental healthEnvironmental SciencesEnvironmental Sciences & Ecologyglobal healthGROWING GLOBAL PROBLEMHEALTH-RISKHEAVY-METALSinterventionLEAD-EXPOSURELife Sciences & BiomedicinePOLLUTIONPOLYBROMINATED DIPHENYL ETHERSPOLYCHLORINATED-BIPHENYLSpreventionPublic, Environmental & Occupational HealthRECYCLING AREASURFACE SOILScience & Technology
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