The report, “Toxic Tech: Recycling of electronic wastes in China and India: workplace and environmental contamination”, details the results of analysis of the dust from workshops, as well as wastewater, soil and sediment from local rivers in both countries.
It warns that toxic chemicals, including heavy metals, can be released from the e-waste at all stages of the recycling process, and that the wastes and chemicals used in the process are often handled with little regard for the “health and safety of the workforce or surrounding communities and with no regard for the environment.”
“The report provides a compelling case for immediate action in both countries to address workplace health and safety issues, as well as waste management practices,” said Dr Kevin Brigden, a Greenpeace International scientist, who collected the samples.
According to Greenpeace, concentrations of lead in dust samples collected from some workshops in China were hundreds of times higher than typical levels of household dusts. The levels of lead in dust collected from similar workshops in India were approximately 5-20 times background levels.
Contamination was not limited to the recycling yards, says the report; dust collected from the homes of two e-waste recycling workers in China had higher levels of heavy metals, particularly lead, compared to dust collected from one neighbouring house with no link to e-waste recycling.
“The data reinforces the need for the electronics industry to eliminate the use of harmful substances in their products at the design stage and take responsibility for their products at the end of their lifecycle,” warned Dr Brigden.
The release of the report comes a few days after the European Directive on Waste from Electrical and Electronics Equipment (WEEE) came into effect on 13th August. This Directive sets criteria for the collection, treatment, recycling and recovery of waste electrical and electronic equipment.
Another EU law, the Directive on the Restriction of the Use of Hazardous Substances (RoHS Directive) facilitates the dismantling and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment by restricting the use of hazardous substances used in their manufacture. It is due to be in force from 1st July 2006.
Member States were supposed to have implementing legislation for both Directives in place by August 2004. The UK missed the deadline, blaming its delay on difficulties in publishing the draft regulations and guidance notes, and last week warned that major parts of the WEEE Directive would not come into force until June next year.
The European Commission is already taking action against the eight Member States, including the UK, that have not yet implemented the legislation.
