Risk assessment at an informal e-waste recycling site in Lagos state, Nigeria
Conference poster
Isimekhai, K., Watt, J., Garelick, H. and Purchase, D. 2014. Risk assessment at an informal e-waste recycling site in Lagos state, Nigeria. Society for Risk Analysis Europe Conference. Istanbul, Turkey 16 - 18 Jun 2014
Type | Conference poster |
---|---|
Title | Risk assessment at an informal e-waste recycling site in Lagos state, Nigeria |
Authors | Isimekhai, K., Watt, J., Garelick, H. and Purchase, D. |
Abstract | E-waste is referred to obsolete, broken electronic devices such as mobile phones, televisions, computer monitors, laptops, printers, scanners, and associated wiring (Luther, 2010). E-waste is generated in large quantities (Tang et al., 2010); the composition of the waste creates a major problem. E-waste contains more than 1000 different substances, many of which are toxic metals and organic pollutants (Robinson, 2009). These include lead and cadmium in circuit boards; lead oxide and cadmium in monitor cathode ray tubes (CRTs); mercury in switches and flat screen monitors; cadmium in computer batteries; polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in older capacitors and transformers; and brominated flame retardants on printed circuit boards, plastic casings, cables and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cable insulation that release highly toxic dioxins and furans when burned to retrieve copper from the wires (BAN, 2002). Also, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are used as brominated flame retardants in electronic circuit boards (Wang et al., 2005). Activities carried out in the site of interest include dismantling of the different electronic waste, sorting out of various parts and burning of wires and other parts to get valuable metals.The complex composition of e-waste may pose a threat to the environment and human health if they are not disposed correctly. |
Keywords | risk assessment, e-waste, Nigeria |
Conference | Society for Risk Analysis Europe Conference |
Publication dates | |
16 Jun 2014 | |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 05 Jun 2015 |
Completed | Jun 2014 |
Output status | Published |
Copyright Statement | Poster presentation, does not require permission from publisher. |
Language | English |
File |
https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/85875
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