# E-Waste Challenges in India: Environmental and Human Health Impacts
## 1 Introduction  
\"E-waste (electronic or electrical waste) is termed discarded, outdated, and malfunctioning electronic or electrical equipment\" [1]. These obsolete wastes have reached the end of their functional lifespan and no longer meet the needs of the present owner. To address this, the European Union mandated a legal framework on Waste from Electronic and Electric Equipment (WEEE) to tackle the increased amount of e-waste generated through electronic and electric gadgets [2,3]. E-waste is a rapidly expanding category of solid waste creating an anticipated environmental issue globally [3]. The amount of e-waste is increasing due to driving factors such as urbanization, growing disposable incomes, enhanced mobility, industrialization, and the rapid development of information and technology [3]. Advances in science and technology have also increased consumer demand for electronic products, further amplifying this issue [4]. Figure 1 illustrates various sources of e-waste generation. Electronic waste (e-waste) has been classified into two classes: \"hazardous e-waste\" and \"non-hazardous e-waste\". Hazardous e-waste includes substances that are toxic heavy metals, such as arsenic, barium, chromium, copper, mercury, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), brominated flame retardants, antimony, arsenic, and beryllium; non-hazardous-waste includes substances that do not directly impact the environment, such as glass, and plastics electronic waste and also includes valuable metals such as gold, copper, and silver. Figure 2 illustrates various toxic heavy metals incorporated into electrical equipment [5]. E-waste acts as \"urban deposits\" of essential, non-essential, and precious or valuable metals, which can be utilized as secondary resources through appropriate recycling practices [6]. However, managing electrical waste is an intricate and rigorous process due to the inclusion of highly toxic metals such as arsenic and cadmium in gadgets and instruments. Therefore, proper disposal procedures are essential to prevent potential injury and protect human wellness and the environment [7]. Figure 1: Various sources of electronic waste (e-waste). Figure 2: Types of heavy metals in e-waste. Improper disposal techniques, such as burning, informal recycling, and multifarious illegal dumping practices, can induce severe ecological problems such as soil degradation, contamination of water, and air pollution [8]. Toxic metals such as arsenic, chromium, and mercury can easily seep into the soil, followed by infiltration into groundwater, causing environmental problems and affecting living organisms [9; 10]; for example, mercury (Hg) can easily bioaccumulate in the food chain when dispersed in the environment, causing health problems like Minamata disease. Also, the extraction of raw materials from e-waste aids in the depletion of resources and aggravates environmental degradation [11; 12]. \"Individuals residing near low- and middle-income regions (LMICs), notably young teenagers, are at increased risk due to inadequate regulations, recycling facilities, and lack of training resources\" [13]. Children and women involved in handling and management are particularly vulnerable. Lack of proper protective gear and equipment while performing recycling activity exposes workers to toxic heavy metals, resulting in dermal and skin diseases, respiratory illnesses such as lung cancer, and other health-related complications. Communities located near the dumping site are more exposed to toxic substances such as ashes, fumes, and radioactive elements [10], which can cause long-term impacts on their health, including brain and kidney damage and weakened immune systems since birth [10; 11; 12; 13; 14]. The Basel Convention is a comprehensive treaty that regulates cross-border movements and the disposal of hazardous wastes. Ratified in 1989 and becoming effective in 1992 [15], the Basel Convention organizes training sessions and programs and provides guidance on the management of electronic waste in a sustainable way.