Toxic Truths: Health and Environmental Hazards of Informal E-Waste Handling in Nepal

The primary health and environmental risks posed by current informal e-waste handling practices stem from the hazardous materials contained within electronic devices and the unsafe, unregulated methods used to extract valuable components or dispose of non-valuable residues. In contexts like Nepal, where over 95% of e-waste is processed by informal sectors using unsafe and environmentally detrimental methods, these risks are exacerbated by the lack of technology and formal oversight.

Environmental Risks

The disposal methods commonly employed by the informal sector lead to widespread pollution of air, soil, and water resources.

1. Soil and Groundwater Contamination (Leaching and Dumping):

   • When e-waste is improperly disposed of in open spaces or mixed with municipal solid waste (MSW) in dumpsites or landfills, toxic materials leach into the environment.
   • Toxic substances like lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic leach into the soil over time, eventually contaminating groundwater sources. This groundwater contamination is particularly harmful as it affects drinking water supplies and agricultural irrigation.
   • In Nepal's rural areas, e-waste is often disposed of by dumping in pits, rivers, or nearby forests, especially where municipal collection services are unavailable.

2. Air Pollution (Burning):

   • Burning is a widespread disposal method, particularly of wires and cables, used to extract valuable metals like copper and aluminum by melting away the plastic/rubber coatings.
   • This practice releases highly toxic fumes into the atmosphere, including dioxins, furans, and heavy metals, contributing significantly to air pollution. Incineration of e-waste at low temperatures can also lead to toxic emissions such as Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), Polybrominated Biphenyles (PBBs), and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs).

3. Pollution from Selective Extraction ("Cherry Picking"):

   • Informal practices involve "cherry picking," where only high-value materials (like circuit boards for metals, copper, or aluminum) are salvaged.
   • The remaining components, which often contain hazardous materials like plastics, foam, glass, and toxic chemicals, are irresponsibly discarded or burned, resulting in pollution through improper disposal.
   • Acid bathing (or acid leaching) is sometimes used to extract precious metals from printed circuit boards and chips. This practice is environmentally damaging as it pollutes water and soil.

4. Illegal Transboundary Movement:

   • A significant portion of valuable e-waste is illegally exported to neighboring countries like India and Bangladesh, bypassing government oversight and regulation. This e-waste is then often processed using unsafe and environmentally damaging informal methods in those receiving countries.

Health Risks

The hazardous components in e-waste pose a threat to human health, especially to informal workers and communities living near disposal sites, due to direct exposure and environmental contamination.

1. Exposure to Toxic Materials in E-Waste: Electronic devices frequently contain hazardous or toxic components which pose a threat when improperly managed. These include:

   • Lead: Found in older CRT monitors, solders, and other components. Exposure can damage the kidneys, nerves, blood, bones, reproductive organs, and muscles. Leachates containing heavy metals from e-waste can contaminate groundwater, leading to chronic neurological problems and developmental disorders in children.
   • Mercury: Found in flat screen TVs, laptop screens, and fluorescent bulbs. It can cause damage to the kidneys and the nervous system.
   • Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs) and PBDEs: These are persistent organic compounds found in cables and plastic casings. They can cause cancer, nerve damage, disruption of liver function, and disorders of the liver, thyroid, and nervous system due to bio-accumulation through the food chain.
   • Cadmium: Found in rechargeable batteries. It is linked to kidney damage and cancer.
   • Arsenic and Hexavalent Chromium: Found in various electronic components, posing additional risks.

2. Respiratory Illnesses from Burning Fumes:

   • The toxic fumes (dioxins, furans, heavy metals) released when informal workers burn plastics and cables are inhaled, posing severe respiratory health risks.
   • Workers directly exposed to these fumes frequently suffer from chronic respiratory illnesses, cancers, and other severe health issues.

3. Direct Exposure to Informal Workers:

   • Informal recyclers often dismantle devices by hand and operate in unsafe conditions without protective equipment, exposing themselves and their communities directly to toxic substances.