UN sounds alarm on accumulated e-waste

MANILA, Philippines — The growing volume of electronic waste, including mobile phones and laptops, poses a major threat to the environment and human health, according to a United Nations report.

The Global E-Waste Monitor 2017, released recently by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the UN University and the International Solid Waste Association, said the increasing levels of e-waste such as televisions, refrigerators and electrical toys and its improper and unsafe treatment and disposal through burning at dumpsites have caused millions of deaths around the world.

The report cited e-waste management as an urgent issue to protect people.

“Environmental protection is one of the pillars of sustainable development. E-waste management is an urgent issue in today’s digitally dependent world where use of electronic devices is ever increasing,” said ITU secretary-general Houlin Zhao.

A UN health agency has blamed the deaths of 1.7 million children under the age of five on unhealthy environments.

It reviewed threats from pollutants such as second-hand smoke, UV radiation, unsafe water and e-waste.

On the other hand, the World Health Organization said one of the emerging environmental threats to children is electronic and electrical waste.

Appliances such as old mobile phones that are improperly recycled “expose children to toxins which can lead to reduced intelligence, attention deficit, lung damage, and cancer,” it said.

At the current rate, the amount of e-waste is expected to increase by 19 percent between 2014 and 2018, up to 50 million metric tons, the UN said.

The UN noted harmful chemicals that work themselves through the food chain such as fluoride, lead and mercury, and the impact of climate change and UV rays on children’s development.

In 2016, 44.7 million metric tons of e-waste were generated, an increase of 3.3 million MT or eight percent from 2014.

Experts foresee e-waste increasing further at 17 percent or 52.2 million MT by 2021.