Issues and Impacts

Question 1

What are the main concerns around

manufacture of electronic devices?

Answer 1

• raw material extraction
• use of water
• production
• use of energy

Question 2

What are the concerns around

raw material extraction for electronic devices?

Answer 2

• some raw materials are hazardous and pose a serious health risk
• radioactive materials used in computer products can contaminate air, soil and groundwater
• some of the metals used are precious metals that are in short supply
• in some regions, mining of raw materials is poorly regulated
• excavation causes: extensive damage to the local environment; scarring to the landscape; contamination to water supplies; danger to wildlife habitats

Question 3

What are the concerns around

use of water when manufacturing electronic devices?

Answer 3

• Manufacturing semiconductors is highly water intensive. This can result in water shortages where semiconductor factories are located.
• Untreated wastewater discharge can cause environmental pollution.

Question 4

What are the concerns around

production of electronic devices?

Answer 4

• once extracted, the raw materials are shipped to factories to be manufactured into components
• the components are dispatched to another location for assembly into finished products
• shipment involves the use of packaging using plastic which may be disposed of in landfill sites

Question 5

What are the concerns around

use of energy when manufacturing electronic devices?

Answer 5

• most of the energy for transport and production is supplied by fossil fuels
• burning fossil fuels produces carbon dioxide and contributes to global warming

Question 6

What are some solutions to the problems of

manufacturing of electronic devices?

Answer 6

• The EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive was brought into UK law. It restricts the use of six of the most hazardous materials, forcing manufacturers of computing technology to replace them with safer materials.
• Governments are imposing recycling targets desgined to ensure that more reusable material is recovered from computign technology and reused so that fewer raw materials are needed and reserves of scarce resource are protected.