Tag: e-waste management

Organic pollutants in water bodies typically originate from municipal sewage and industrial effluents, which contain high levels of organic matter that can lead to oxygen depletion.

Urbanization leads to higher population density and increased consumption patterns, which directly generate more solid waste. While other factors contribute, urbanization is the primary driver of increased waste volumes in modern contexts.

Municipal solid waste is generally categorized by its origin, including residential, commercial, and institutional sources. Open area waste or street sweepings are also recognized components of municipal waste streams.

Colloidal solids are particles that are finely divided and remain in suspension or solution due to their small size, preventing them from settling easily by gravity. Settlable solids settle quickly, while dissolved solids are in true solution.

The quantity of solid waste produced is directly linked to the consumption habits and living standards of the population. Higher living standards typically correlate with higher per capita waste generation.

The fundamental functions of solid waste management are typically categorized as generation, collection, processing, and disposal. Disposal is generally considered the final stage in this sequence.

Malaria is caused by a parasite called plasmodium vivax through the agent anopheles mosquito. 

Electronic waste or e-waste describes discarded electrical or electronic devices. Used electronics which are destined for reuse, resale, salvage, recycling or disposal are also considered e-waste. E-waste recycling spews dioxins into the air. E-waste recycling using uncontrolled processes is a major source of dioxin-related compounds. Air around e-waste recycling areas in Guiyu, China, contains the highest levels of dioxins ever recorded. When computers, televisions, music systems, and other electronic products reach the ends of their lives, they often end up in China or other developing countries as e-waste. Such waste is a serious environmental threat in these parts of the world because of the poorly regulated conditions under which the waste is dismantled. E-waste affects brain, lungs and all over the body. There is also evidence of cell membrane lesion, cause DNA single-strand breaks. DNA breaks can increase the likelihood of developing cancer. DNA damages are a special problem in non-dividing or slowly dividing cells, where unrepaired damages will tend to accumulate over time. On the other hand, in rapidly dividing cells, unrepaired DNA damages that do not kill the cell by blocking replication will tend to cause replication errors and thus mutation.

Biomedical waste should be collected in containers that are leak-proof and sufficiently strong to prevent breakage during handling. Containers of biomedical waste are marked with a biohazard symbol. The container, marking and labels are often red. Discarded sharps are usually collected in specialized boxes, often called needle boxes.