Mar
21
2010
The Big Question: How big is the problem of electronic waste, and can it be tackled?
By paulgreen
Why are we asking this now?
Because yesterday the UN issued a new report on electronic waste, highlighting the danger from “rocketing” sales of mobile phones, PCs and electronic appliances, in the developing countries especially.
What danger is that?
Modern electronic devices might look clean, sleek and spotless on the outside, but inside they contain a lot of materials used in manufacture which are potentially hazardous to human health. Typical ones are PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic, used as an insulator with internal cabling, and brominated flame retardants, chemicals used to laminate printed circuit boards to prevent them catching fire.
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