E-waste and e-radiation

Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science & Technology, Environment & Forests present this Two Hundred and Sixty-sixth Report on 'E-waste and E-radiation. In its meeting held on the 20th November, 2014, the Committee heard the views of the Ministries of Environment, Forest & Climate Change; Science & Technology and Department of Telecommunications on the subject. E-Waste means Wastes from electrical and electronic equipment, whole or in part or rejects from their manufacturing and repair process, which are intended to be discarded e.g. computer equipments, electronic gadgets, TVs, Mobile phones etc. E-waste is highly hazardous as it contains toxic substances such as lead, cadmium, mercury, Hexavalent Chromium Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB) and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether (PBDE), that have an adverse impact on human health and environment, if not handled properly. The effects of electromagnetic radiation on health of human beings, animals, birds and honeybees through radiations from mobile phone towers is a matter of concern and intense public discourse. The Committee feels that the issues arising therefrom, needed to be flagged.

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