ELECTRONIC WASTE

The Industrial revolution followed by the advances in information technology had, without doubt, a vital role in human life because it radically changed man’s lifestyle. Although this development has a lot of benefits, mismanagement and people’s anxiety about innovations have led to new problems of contamination and pollution. People developed a lot of  technical prowess during the last century, but these innovations created  a new challenge in the management of waste. Moreover, these products, named electronic waste, are becoming quite dangerous. Even though there are several effects of elecronic waste, environmental pollution and the danger to human health can be claimed to be the most important two.

To begin with, nature is accepted as the essence of technology ; however, this revolution impacted nature negatively. For example, nowadays the computer has become the most common and most used gadget in all kinds of places ranging from schools and residences to offices and the like. Despite/ Inspite of the   benefits, it contains many heavy metals. It’s bateries, including cadmium, are highly toxic. Consequently, these toxins seep into the soil and contaminate groundwater. Such electronic devices, which are thrown into garbage containers  or just dumped, literally poison nature. To exemplify, the exposure of electronic wastes to heat, light or shock causes toxic substances in the environment to seep into the environment. Briefly, electronic gadgets accelerate routine work and provide many advantages  for human life, but they hasten the end of the world at the same time.

Furthermore, human health seems to be the second effect of electronic wastes. These days, the smart phone is really like an extension of people’ bodies; it is like a  part of the communication system. Unfortunately, it is the only organ that harms the body in all circumstances. For instance, it contains a lot of lead that disrupts the central nervous system and reproductive system and causes brain damage in children. In addition, problems such as memory loss and blood diseases are common. To give another example, e-wastes contain substances like lead in low doses and mercury, which cause poisoning. Mercury is known to damage the nervous system and kidneys. In short, the lifetime of electronic products is very short and they decrease  the human life span.

All in all, environmental pollution and human health are said to be the most common effects of electronic waste. If we want to have a long and healthy life for ourselves and future generations, firstly we should decrease the consumption of e-material, secondly we must have enough recycling facilities.

Burak Özçifçi