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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