E-waste-a Major Threat to Environment and Health

The electronic industry is the world's largest and fastest growing manufacturing industry. During the last decade, it has assumed the role of providing a forceful leverage to the socio- economic and technological growth of a developing society. The consequence of its consumer oriented growth combined with rapid product obsolescence and technological advances are a new environmental challenge-the growing menace of "electronics waste" or "e waste" that consists of obsolete electronic devices. The production of electrical and electronic devices is the fastest growing sector of the manufacturing industry in industrialized countries. At the same time, technological innovation and intense marketing engender a rapid replacement process. Every year, 20 to 50 million tones of electrical and electronic equipment waste ("e-waste") are generated world-wide, which could bring serious risks to human health and the environment. The paper highlights the emerging problem of health and environmental impact of e-waste.