CS110: 27302-201020 The Dangers of Computer Rubbish And How to Recycle Technology Emily Joslyn 6/28/2010 Introduction to Computers Summer Term 2010 The Dangers of Computer Rubbish Where do our computers go after we upgrade to a bigger and badder or, for that matter, a slimmer and speedier model? I know my father has horded every system he has purchased since the Apple 2 and my brother collects old gaming systems from flea markets and online auctions. For all of those who lack the pack-rat gene, however, the answer seems simple- chuck it! Over the year that answer has not proved so simple for many household materials and the same applies to computer parts. Perhaps it is about time we evaluate the repercussions of discarded electronic rubbish. Computer parts contain toxic materials that could become harmful to human, animal, and plant life if not properly disposed of. Just how strong is the threat of the toxins? And how can society prevent the dangers of this technological garbage from reaching future generations? With society’s new attempts to trim the fat off of the ecological peril before us, it is important to consider what one can do to balance the support for growing technology and struggle to save the depleting environment harmoniously. So what are these mysterious toxins leaking their way into earth’s ecosystem? Mercury, lead, and cadmium appear to be the leading culprits. According to Earth 911, a website dedicated to ecological preservation CRT monitors contain lead, fluorescent lamps from laptops hold mercury, and both of these materials along with cadmium can be found in circuit boards. By allowing lead to be discarded in landfills it pollutes the soil and water in its area. Lead in soil and water can lead to lead in water and crops ingested by humans. Lead poisoning is the mass absorption of lead into the body, it is characterized by “…inhibiting oxygen and calcium transport and altering nerve transmission to the brain” (NRDC 1) It is known to reduce the IQ scores of children, attention span, and result in permanent brain damage. Mercury enters the ecosystem through the landfills in the same way lead does. The most common cause of mercury exposure in humans is through ingestion through the consumption of exposed fish and wildlife, and inhalation. When ingested mercury can cause damage to the immune and nervous system, alter the genetic and enzyme systems, and cause danger to developing embryos. When mercury is inhaled it can cause tremors, gingivitis, and excitability. Increased exposure to the toxin cadmium causes cadmium poisoning, symptoms include; emphysema, fatigue, headache, vomiting, anemia, lack of sense of smell, kidney dysfunction, reduced bone mineral density, neuropsychological impairment, and an increased risk of prostatic cancer. The human health risks alone are enough of a wake-up call for anyone to see that disposing of computer parts in landfills is hazardous. A study in 2003 reported that 70 percent of the toxic waste in landfills came from electronic waste. Computer sales between 2002 and 2007 increased by 61 percent (403 million and 661 million respectively (Computer Industry Almanac)) so one can assume that a fair number of those computer were bought to replace outdated computers and that the percentage of e-toxic waste has increased since then as well. This leads to a dangerous amount of chemicals being dumped into our landfills. As an example 5 to 15 pounds of lead can be found in the average computer monitor or television screen, and “in 2005 alone, almost 2 million tons of e-waste was landfilled.” (earth911, 1) that is about 200,000 tons of lead being put into our ecosystem. It only takes 15 micrograms of lead per deci-liter of blood for an adult to begin feeling the effects of lead poisoning. The amount of toxic materials from computers in the landfills is staggering and dangerous, but there are many safer alternatives available for discarding used, broken, and out of date computers. When wondering what to do with your computer there are many options to consider based on the condition of your computer. One option is to recycle the parts. It is important, however, to ask questions to the company doing the recycling such as where the parts are going, and how they handle data destruction. Recycling can be potential risky because the personal information left on one’s can computer can lead to identity theft. It is best to do one’s recycling through the original manufacturer of the computer. Another downside to recycling, however are the fees tacked on along with shipping and packaging. Donation is another great way to go for working computers or easily fixable computers. Refurbishing computers for new users is easy but it is important to make sure the equipment is being tested and in working order before sending it out. Computers can be donated to nonprofit organizations, churches, and schools. A third option for discarding one’s computer is to sell it. Even if the computer is not in working condition, it can still be sold for parts. They can be sold on ebay.com, to private buyers, and be sold to drop off sights. Pay pal will even give you money for your computer or computer parts. Doing a combination of the last three suggestions is also a great way to make sure all of the parts are being put to good use. It is possible to gut one’s computer for parts that are able to be sold, donated, or recycled. This way the owner gets the most out of their junky unit. Some computer companies like HP and Gateway will accept the used computer as a return. By returning the computer the owner is able to receive a deduction on their next new computer from that same company. If the owner of an unwanted computer knows a particularly technologically bright child, it can be given to them to make other technology out of, such as robots. If the RAM on the computer is still in working order the unit can be used as a stationary mp3 player or storage device for electronic files. If there are only a few parts on the computer in non working order, or are outdated, the owner could buy new parts for the computer to bring it back to working condition. A last option for computers that rendered completely useless in every way can be artistically transformed into crafts, home decorations, or even jewelry. With so many options to recycle and reuse computers I conducted a survey with twenty members of my friends and family, some technologically savvy, while others could barely write and e-mail without supervision. My first question was “Have you ever thrown out a computer or computer parts? If so, how many?” My second question was “Have you ever used alternative methods to dispose of your computer parts?” And gave a few examples to jog their memory; recycle, fix back to working order, put them in storage, donate, pass to a relative, crafts, et cetera. And the third was “Did you know computer parts contain toxic materials?” The answers were interesting. Age and gender did not seem to affect the answers, though the more savvy people seemed to know what I was talking about for the most part. With what I know now I was truly surprised by the answer. A large number of people, eight, said they had thrown out a computer before, and two of them said they had thrown out more than one. Those same two people said they had never used any alternative methods to dispose of their computers. Five had never had computers prior to the ones they currently have, but they were young people. Thirteen of the twenty questioned had used one or more of the mentioned alternatives with the majorities lying in storage and passed the computer on to a relative. Fourteen of the twenty people questioned did not know that computers contained toxic materials, and were dangerous to throw away and be put in a landfill. As I said the numbers were staggering, but before I did research on this paper I did not know the reason cell phones and ink cartridges, let alone computers, were recycled was due to the potentially harmful chemicals contained in them. It is important to note the harmful effects treating old computers as rubbish has on the environment and the research the alternatives that have been set for us use to prevent the potential damage these items could have on our future. Computers contain only small amounts of chemicals, but when they have been discarded in the mass quantities they have in the past, it is detrimental to find other, more eco- and human-friendly ways to dispose of them. Bibliography “The Chemicals in my Computer.” Videojug.com 28 Nov 2007: 1. Web 28 Jun 2010. Dunn, Colin “How to: Recycle Your Computer.” Tree Hugger. 10 April 2006: 1. Web. 28 Jun 2010. "E-Waste: Harmful Materials." Earth911.com 2010: 1. Web. 28 Jun 2010. . “Frequently Asked Questions.” Home Safe Environmental 2002: 5. Web. 28 Jun 2010 “How Lead Poisons the Human Body.” National Resources Defense Council 1. Web. 28 Jun 2010 “Mercury in the Environment.” U.S. Geological Survey Oct 2000: 1. Web. 28 Jun 2010. “Symptoms of Cadmium Poisoning.” Wrong Diagnosis 14 Jun 2010: 2. Web. 28 Jun 2010 “Top 10 Ways to Recycle Your Computer” Free Geekery 10 May 2007: 2. Web 28 Jun 2010. “Worldwide Cumulative PC Sales Exceed 1 Billion.” Computer Industry Almanac, Inc. 28 Feb 2003: 1. 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