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Constant change and a tiny step.

                   Finally a breathing space, realization during these period is that changes are constant , changes never change.  Little steps taken for a healthy environment can also make a better difference. Milk packets:          Recently I came across few articles and posts , that opening the milk packets without cutting off the tip  and just having a slit without separating  the small piece can reduce the number of small plastics entering the soil which never gets decomposed. Karnataka has encouraged citizens in this method. This can be used in any plastic covers we use in our day to day lives.           I hope we could implement this small step.            Comment on if you got any more ideas
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E-wastes the secret villains at your closet.

                             Have you bought any new gadgets? do you keep updating your old electronics? If yes what do you do with the old gadgets? The old electronics which are not used any further are not just wastes, they are termed as E-waste. E-waste includes anything ranging from small old batteries, tungsten bulbs, tv remotes, earphones, headsets, damaged computers, laptops, refrigerators, etc.


Hazardous toxins and health issues from E-wastes:

                        I would like to list down few toxins that get settled as a host in your houses along with the electronic wastes and their impacts on your health.

Below mentioned toxins can be easily exposed through air, dust, food, and soil.

Brominated flame retardants, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Dioxins, Lead, Chromium, Cadmium, Chromium, Mercury, Zinc, Nickel, Lithium, Barium, Beryllium, Aluminium,  Arsenic, Copper, Cobalt, Germanium, Indium, Gallium. These chemicals can cause Thyroid problems, Nervous system impairment, Problems associated with Reproductive development, Hormonal problems, Carcinogen accumulations on organs like the liver, thyroid, affects immune functions, have mutagenic and teratogenic effects, neurobehavioural development in children, Kidney damage, renal toxicity, bone diseases, cancer, Ovotoxicity, endocrinal problems, respiratory failure, birth defects, asthma, skin allergies, pneumonia, etc. 

                    These effects are no immediate, but direct and indirect exposure over a period can cause accumulation resulting in side effects. Are you a consumer who keeps updating new phones according to the trend? Where are your old models?. The above mentioned is a preliminary outline of the impacts of E-waste on health.  Very similar to plastic pollution, E-waste is also a global threat. The leaching of chemicals is causing threats to health and the environment.  Let's wait for more case studies on E-waste and its impacts on health and the environment if it is still considered light. 

                Are you planning to dispose of the E-wastes? How are they being disposed of? Trash bin? Dumping in the trash bin is not the answer. E- wastes have a formal procedure in disposing of. 

The first few steps are:

If the old gadget is still working, donating is the best option, reselling at a low price is also an option. 

Certified recyclers are the next option for disposing of these wastes.













Watch for more updates on the causes of E-wastes pollution.

Reference 

Li, W., & Achal, V. (2020). Environmental and health impacts due to e-waste disposal in China–A review. Science of the Total Environment, 737, 139745.

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