Electrical Waste (e-Waste): A Global Threat for Environment and Human Health

Abstract

Electrical waste (e‐waste) is obsolete and end‐of‐life electronic appliances, such as mobile phones, computers, laptops, solar cells, electric vehicles, televisions, generators, DVDs, freezers, and various such items that are typically discarded by their original owners due to their short lifespan. It is classified as hazardous waste and is one of the fastest and the most complex growing waste streams in the world due to the expansion of the industrialization process, technological advancements, and higher living standards that poses a hazard to the ecosystem. The e‐waste can carry numerous harmful elements, such as lead, mercury, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, polychlorinated biphenyls, brominated flame, etc. It can be refurbished, reused, resold, and recycled through material recovery. Every year more than 60 million tons of e-wastes are created with an annual growth rate of 20-25%. The present study examines the effect of e-waste in the environment and health sector, and management of it for the welfare of the global humanity.