A recent study of recyclers employed in India’s “alternative” e-waste disposal industry has revealed a frightening level of exposure to very dangerous materials and processes and almost complete ignorance of the consequences. Yet, it is known that exposure to substances such as cadmium and lead can lead to a slow and painful death. Victims become unable to sleep or walk and are unfit to work by the time they reach their late 30s. It is difficult to get an idea of the death rate in India from e-waste poisoning because workers tend to go back to their villages once they are too ill to continue earning a living.
The most dangerous equipment are televisions, computers and mobile phones. These all contain high amounts of cadmium, lead and mercury and, in the case of mobiles and computers, their short lifespans means more of them are discarded.
So what is being done? The Indian government proposes to introduce legislation to regulate the e-waste trade, but the majority of the informal workers would escape the law because it will stipulate that only large firms can carry out dismantling and recycling. Critics say the legislation will be ineffective because the informal sector has already established a cost-effective system for collection, disposal and recycling and that is what people will continue to use.
Many believe that India needs to learn from Western countries on how to protect the health and safety of workers, particularly the young and vulnerable.