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May 2008

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Subject:
From:
Joe Fjelstad <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
(Leadfree Electronics Assembly Forum)
Date:
Tue, 6 May 2008 14:25:53 EDT
Content-Type:
text/plain
Parts/Attachments:
text/plain (97 lines)
     
Some fresh news from the EU Commission  below
 
There is no argument that "uncontrolled  recycling" can be hazardous just as 
drunk driving can be  hazardous. And how can one be against the protection  of 
children. 
 
The key is education and education is thus  vital. The parents are working to 
feed their families. With the knowledge  of the potential for harm them might 
cause by poor work habits,  they will make as many of the right decisions as 
they are  capable of.  
 
What is a bit alarming is that the  author(s?) following sentence: 
 
"Of these metals, high levels of lead and  copper were the greatest cause for 
concern" 
 
then going on to talk about lead issues  leaving apparent guilt by 
association for copper. 
 
The there are a number of other troubling  aspects to the article such as the 
use if "could be"  rather  than something more definite and the citing 
sweeping transdermal  metal toxicity which is the first time I have seen that in 
print.  

The item might well have been  sub-titled: "Be afraid... be very afraid" 
targeted not only at the  recycler but also at the electronics manufacturer.
 
And so it goes...
 
Joe  
 
 

Uncontrolled electronic waste  recycling threat to children’s health 
 
Source: _European  Commission, Environment DG_ 
(http://www.environmental-expert.com/STSE_resultEach.aspx?cid=8819&idproducttype=1&idmainpage=0&level=0)  
Published May 5, 2008  



Current EU policy on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)  
highlights the need for greater recycling of electrical and electronic  equipment to 
limit the total quantity of waste going to landfill. However,  research 
carried out in China suggests that if recycling is not carried  out safely then 
there is a significant risk to human health and the  environment. The researchers 
from Hong Kong studied Guiyu, a village in  southeast China which has a 
significant electronic circuit board recycling  industry.  
Villagers melt solder from the circuit boards and sort electrical  
components, which they sell to electrical appliance factories. Circuit  boards contain 
many toxic metals. The researchers tested dust from the  recycling workshops, 
and also from the nearby road, food market and  schoolyard. They found high 
levels of dangerous heavy metals which would  have an impact on the health of the 
recycling workers and would pose a  high risk to children. 
The researchers tested for the metals cadmium, cobalt, chromium,  copper, 
nickel, lead and zinc. These metals can cause both acute and  long-term toxicity. 
Of these metals, high levels of lead and copper were  the greatest cause for 
concern. High lead levels are associated with lower  IQ in children. Other 
research has shown that both workers and children in  Guiyu have a high incidence 
of bone disease, as well as digestive,  neurological and respiratory 
problems, which may be linked to metal  toxicity. 
A risk assessment indicated that recycling workers could be exposed to  50 
times the safe oral lead dose. Workers transport the metals into their  homes 
from the workshop as dust, transferring the dust to their children.  In a 
separate study, children of circuit board workers were found to have  higher levels 
of lead in their blood than those whose parents recycled  plastics. The metals 
get into the body through the skin or when dust is  inadvertently eaten or 
breathed in. The health risk to children at all  locations around the village 
was around eight times greater than that to  adults. 
Few studies to date have determined the extent of the problems caused  by 
uncontrolled electronic waste recycling. Similar waste is commonly  recycled in 
African countries as well as India and Vietnam. Awareness of  the consequences 
of uncontrolled recycling could prevent some of the same  mistakes being 
repeated in these countries. The amount of WEEE generated  in the European 
Community is growing rapidly and Policy makers would like  to see more WEEE recycling. 
The EU WEEE directive seeks to encourage safe  recycling, addressing issues 
such as managing the risks of handling  hazardous components, which as this 
case study shows, can cause concerns  if recycling is not carried out  safely.






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