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DoomsdaysCW

data make it hard to know the extent of the from last year’s

By JOSH FUNK - Associated Press
September 24, 2024

"The way the Environmental Protection Agency has reported its test results since the disastrous East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment last year makes it hard for residents to know the full extent of the contamination they have been exposed to that they worry could increase their risk of cancer. A new Associated Press analysis of data from the agency — along with results from ’s contractors who are carrying out the cleanup and independent testers in East Palestine — raise questions about whether the EPA is disclosing everything it knows. The agency’s lack of transparency, combined with independent tests that appear to show lingering problem areas in town, are making it hard for some residents to trust the EPA."

Source:
wnky.com/i/epa-data-make-it-ha

WNKY News 40 TelevisionEPA data make it hard to know the extent of the contamination from last year's Ohio derailment - WNKY News 40 TelevisionThe way the Environmental Protection Agency has reported its test results since the disastrous East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment last year makes it hard for residents to know the full extent of the contamination they have been exposed to that they worry could increase their risk of cancer. A new Associated Press analysis of data from the agency — along with results from Norfolk Southern’s contractors who are carrying out the cleanup and independent testers in East Palestine — raise questions about whether the EPA is disclosing everything it knows. The agency’s lack of transparency, combined with independent tests that appear to show lingering problem areas in town, are making it hard for some residents to trust the EPA.
#EastPalestine#EastPalestineOhio#ToxicSmoke
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DoomsdaysCW

How Soaring E-Waste Pollution Is Putting Lives at Risk

by April Miller
Mar 3rd 2022

The Growing Amount of E Waste Pollution

"The proper disposal of electronics is a heated topic in the minds of those looking to live more sustainably and reduce their carbon footprint. As more devices come out each year, it only adds to the amount of e-waste generated. Consider how , , , and other companies release several new phone models annually. Older models then become and must be disposed of properly.

"Statista reports that the amount of e-waste generated worldwide was around 54 million metric tons in 2019. Due to increased spending power and the wide availability of electronics, e-waste is becoming the fastest-growing waste stream worldwide. It’s estimated that generation will increase by 30% by 2030.

"These figures make sense, considering how common it is for people to throw away small electronic devices along with their other trash. However, most are not aware of opportunities to recycle electronics, what environmental impact they’re making by throwing away e-waste or how much cash they can earn by selling it.

How E Waste Harms the and Our

"Why is e-waste becoming a more prevalent issue worldwide? poses unique ecological concerns. Most e-waste contains , and the manufacturing processes may also harm the .

"When e-waste ends up in a , the surrounding can become with substances such as , , and . These chemicals enter the soil, waterways and air, leading to polluted environments and negatively impacting human and life.

"Consider people who use natural wells or the animals who rely on bodies of water. They could be exposed to toxic chemicals that can impact their health.

"It’s also important to note that when high volumes of e-waste enter landfills, device manufacturers must mine more materials to build new devices. and other contain small amounts of valuable metals like , and , among other critical components. These materials are becoming harder to mine, especially with the increased demand for more electronic devices.

How E Waste Contributes to Pollution

One journal from Environmental Research Letters reported that researchers took air samples from a large e-waste disposal site in and found that the products in these landfills harmed human cells.

"According to the World Health Organization (WHO), these are some adverse health effects caused by exposure to e-waste:

- Negative birth outcomes for expecting mothers, such as or birth
- Increased rates of in young children
- Changes in lung function
- damage
- Respiratory issues
- Impaired thyroid function
- Increased risk of chronic diseases like and disease

"Additionally, the WHO reports that appropriate collection and of e-waste can help protect the environment and human health.

"Global E-waste Statistics Partnership (GESP) found that 17.4% of e-waste that was collected appropriately prevented as much as 15 million tons of carbon dioxide from being emitted into the atmosphere. High levels of carbon dioxide entering the environment and therefore contributing to global warming make it clear that e-waste is a much larger issue than some believe it to be. It may seem easy to toss away old electronics in the trash, but doing so negatively affects the environment and can harm human health.

Recycling Electronics to Benefit Humans and the Environment

"More state and federal action is needed to reduce the negative impact e-waste has on humans and the environment. So far, around 25 US states and the District of Columbia have passed legislation to establish an e-waste recycling programme. Additionally, several manufacturers offer some type of electronic return initiative, with some hosting or sponsoring recycling events for consumers.

"Many manufacturers have adopted more business practices to prevent outdated devices from entering landfills. However, this can be challenging, considering how often users want to upgrade to the latest technology due to new features and designs.

Republicans and Democrats are pursuing laws that would make it easier for consumers to repair their devices, from vehicles to refrigerators to smartphones. This movement is being coined as the Right to Repair movement. Manufacturers often make it difficult for consumers to fix a wide range of products by limiting the availability of parts or limiting who can perform repairs.

The goal of the movement is to prohibit manufacturers from taking these measures. This can directly reduce the amount of e-waste entering landfills in the first place. Consumers would then be able to repair devices themselves, save money and avoid tossing obsolete products in the trash.

E-waste is a growing problem worldwide, and more emphasis should be put on the importance of recycling electronics. The benefits of recycling far outweigh the drawbacks. Governments, consumers and manufacturers need to find viable solutions to this prevalent issue. Whether it’s contaminated soil entering waterways or toxic chemicals released into the atmosphere, more work needs to be done to mitigate the negative effects e-waste causes."

earth.org/e-waste-pollution/






Earth.Org · How Soaring E-Waste Pollution Is Putting Lives at Risk | Earth.OrgUnchecked e waste pollution and disposal has a cascade effect on human health, the natural environment and even the Earth's natural rhythms.
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