All of us are aware of Indians getting
independence from the invasion of foreigners on our land. We actually fought in
World War I & II to get freedom. Of cause not just Indians, at one point of
time, many countries have to fight to get independence too. Now, the title says
something of gadgets used in our telecommunication systems and I start my
article with some vague comments on independence. Yes!! There is similarity. There
is concern. There is invasion of these
articles on human systems. They are
getting addicted to these electronic materials similar to alcohol, soft-drinks
and drugs that are marketed in the recent past.
There is a need to fight against these gadgets in our society similar to
the independence movement. While
communication is a MUST and has increased its pace exorbitantly and expressionlessly,
there is need for caution too, in that order. Why?? Well, because of the
increase of these gadgets/articles, the indirect use of “chemicals” that are
used in making of them, has gone too far and the trend has increased
tremendously in the recent past. Especially
it has become a ‘fad’ in the younger generation as well as a few older in using
these electronic items. When there is so much of “demand” naturally the “supply-
chain” also has taken its wings and started growing!! Small manufacturers have
taken up their “money making or” churning of money” by supplying these articles
for very low cost with maximum user-friendly facilities for common men “high”
dreams.
Everywhere you see people using
cell- phones - NON STOP!! Earlier telephone - land line was used for shorter
times, mostly for ‘urgent’ communication. Trunk calls were booked for 3 min to
talk in & around the country and abroad. Now, it is a necessity, like our
“breathe”. You see people “crossing roads”,
walking on road talking loudly, gesturing, smiling, laughing, arguing etc. You see people talking very loudly, as if “NO ONE EXISTS AROUND THEM”. “Are they mad” is the first question that
arises in any one watching them. There
seems to be NO civic sense at all. It is all gone with 10th class, the days of modesty,
the days of “care” to the person sitting next to you, the “concern “towards the
neighbor is all lost. People live in “their-own” world, even on roads. They
talk so………….much, they think less, they “do” less, they “manage” a lot; they
“perform” nil. The trend appears to be more in the “multitasking modern women” than
in men, they forget to even “respond” to what the next neighbor is saying,
especially when they are travelling in bus, they do not even pay attention to
the conductor. They play music
so………..much loudly. They play games and always “show off” the pictures, the
games etc., etc.
What is the problem? In the recent
past, a number of health-related problems are registered with the use of
electronic devices & equipment. Some of them are listed below:
a) IPods, digital cameras, cell
phones, pc’s TV’s, audio & visual devices, printer’s scanners,
refrigerator, ac’s, washing machines, microwave ovens, etc.
b) Printer Inks, toners, fluorescent
layer (CRT) screens, rechargeable NICD batteries, photo copying machines,
printed wiring boards and so on.
c) Data tapes, floppy disks.
d) Fluorescent lamps that proved backlighting
in LCD’s, alkaline batteries, Hg wetted switches.
e) Smart phones (contain altimeter
sensor), heart monitors, perspiration of mood sensor, temperature or humidity
sensor, mobile phones, etc.
f) Watches, mobiles, all electronic
manufacturing, printed circuit boards (PCB’s), computers, telephones, antenna,
blue tooth, wireless sensor, remote controlled toys, garage opening equipment,
keyless entry for motor vehicles, GPS Navigation Systems, resistors,
capacitors display technology,
transistors, etc., and the list is unending.
Computers
and all peripherals are a complex mixture of several hundred of materials, many
of which are hazardous in nature - Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Hexavalent Chromium
(Cr6+), Beryllium (Be), Brominated fire retardants (BFR’s) and polyvinyl
chloride (PVC) are a few known. Lead (Pb) may be present in many older TV and
Computer monitors up to 4-8 lbs. It is also used in the soldering on the
circuit boards. Exposure can cause brain damage, nervous system damage, blood
disorders, kidney damage, and developmental damage to feotus. Children are
especially vulnerable. Acute exposure can cause vomiting, diarrhea,
convulsions, coma, or even death. Mercury
(Hg) may be present in light bulbs in flat panel displays, LCD screen,
switches, & printed wiring boards. High levels of exposure contribute to
brain & kidney damage, harm the developing feotus & can be passed down
through breast milk and fish consumption. Exposure through ingestion or
inhalation can cause central nervous system and kidney damage. Cadmium (Cd) is present in SMD chip resistor,
infrared detectors - in remote controls, semiconductor, older types of cathode
ray tubes and some plastics. It accumulates in the body & can cause kidney
damage and harm to fragile bones. Long term exposure can cause kidney and bone
structure damage. It is a known cancer causing substance too. Plastic & Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) make up
to 14 pounds (about 20%) of an average computer. Dioxin can be formed when PVC
is burned. Combinations of plastic which
are difficult to separate and recycle are used in PCB’s, in components such as
connectors, plastic covers & cables. Brominated flame retardants (BRF’s) are used
in plastic casing are released when electronics are dumped or incinerated.
BFR’s are likely endocrine disrupters reduce levels of the hormone thyroxin in
exposed animals and can potentially harm the developing feotus in pregnant
women. Barium (Ba) is used in the front
panel of the CRT to protect users from radiation. Short- term exposure to
barium can cause brain swelling, muscle weakness, and damage to the heart,
liver and spleen. Beryllium (Be) is found
on motherboards and connectors and is a human carcinogen. Cr6+ is classified as A1 inhalation and/or
dermal contact carcinogen (USEPA, 1984) due to its
ability to oxidize biomolecules such as DNA.
All
these elements are acutely poisonous, risky and injurious to health on a long-term
perspective. They also cause allergic reaction, damage the nervous system,
circulatory system, reproductive system, kidneys and also learning
disabilities. Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive (2002/95/EC)
in 2006 and Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), Govt. of India
notification(2002/95/EC) being implemented from May 2014 have set some limits
such as Pb, Cd, Cr6+, BFR’s ---> 0.1% or 1000 ppm and Cd at > 0.01% or
100 ppm by weight of homogeneous material. Note that the limits do not apply to
the weight of the finished product or even to a component, but to any single
substance that could (theoretically) be separated mechanically. All this reminds us to be very careful, cautious
and fight their invasion in our lives.
In
the present scenario what we can understand and implement can be seen as
follows:
a) Firstly the radiations or emissions during
usage are still a topic of consideration and debate.
b) Secondly it is a unanimously agreed fact that
toxic materials are released during recycling process and
c) Thirdly not just recyclable, upgradable or
durable computers but also how to reduce toxic content in them is also
debatable and questionable situation.
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