Environmental Impact of Hi-Tech Trash

How many of us know that we are softly been killed by toxic substances found in PCs and electronic appliances that are dumped in to the environment? These hi-tech trash when land filled or incinerated can emit poisons into the environment! Lead, cadmium, mercury, plastics, barium, beryllium, PVC, etc are the some of the toxins found in PCs and peripherals. Since technology is advancing very fast PCs and electronic equipments are becoming obsolete and are being disposed off even when they are still usable. Another important fact is these unwanted high-tech trash is shipped to third world countries for dumping. According to Stanford Resources 500 million PCs to be obsolete by 2007. The only environment friendly solution is recycling of PC parts at its end of life-even though it is rarely practiced now-it is high time to propagate the message to ensure less damage to humans and the environment alike. Suitable awareness programmes should be devised to make the citizens understand the environmental impact of these toxic substances produced from PC and other electronic trash.