E-Waste Sources and Health Effects

Question 1

Toners Found in the plastic printer cartridge
containing black and colour toners.

Answer 1

Respiratory tract irritant.
Black Carbon is a carcinogen.

Question 2

PVC Plastics, cables, computer housings and
mouldings, Chlorinated PVC (Chloro-benzenes)

Answer 2

Dioxins produced on burning are endocrine
disrupters.

Question 3

Phthalates

Answer 3

Used to soften plastics, especially PVC Toxic to reproduction

Question 4

Cobalt Insulators

Question 5

Silver - Capacitors, switches (contacts), batteries, resistors

Answer 5

Selenium - Photoelectric cells, pigments, photocopiers, fax machines

Question 6

PCB

Answer 6

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) are used in transformers, capacitors, as softening agents for paint &
plastics.

Question 7

BFR

Answer 7

Brominated Flame Retardants (BFR) are used in circuit boards (plastic), cables and PVC cables. BFRs
give out carcinogenic brominated dioxins and furans.

Question 8

Plastics Found in circuit boards, cabinets and cables, they contain carcinogens.

Question 9

Acid

Answer 9

Sulphuric and hydrochloric acids are used to separate metals from circuit boards. Fumes contain
corrosive chlorine and sulphur dioxide, which cause respiratory problems.

Question 10

Lithium

Answer 10

PVC stabilisers, lasers, LEDs, thermoelectric elements, circuit boards, etc.
Lithium-ion batteries contain metals such as cobalt, nickel, and manganese, which are toxic.

Question 11

Phosphor
additives

Answer 11

The phosphor coating on cathode ray tubes contains toxic heavy metals, such as cadmium, and other
rare earth metals, for example, zinc, and vanadium as additives