Thursday, February 24, 2011

WILL YOUR MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT AND ADUNS BOTHER?


According to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government’s (KPKT) Pelan Stratigic, ULU LANGAT, RAWANG and SABAK BERNAM in SELANGOR have been identified to host SANITARY LANDFILLS!

Ulu Langat will have the privilege to receive 5,030 TPD (tones per day) of Municipal Solid Waste per day. Donors will be from Sepang, Kajang, Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, Shah Alam, Klang and Putra Jaya. 160 hectares have been reserved for this Landfill.

Rawang’s Landfill will acquire 150 hectars and will accommodate 3,460 TPD of municipal solid waste from Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, Selayang, Ampang Jaya and KL North.

What AMAZES me is that whilst the developed countries are making concerted efforts towards ZERO LANDFILLS, we are attempting to attain DEVELOPED status by 2020 by adding more landfills to our landscape. (Another post will address this later.) For now go to www.ktpt.gov.my/jpspn,click on Pelan Stratigic on the left and presto, you will see what Jabatan Pengurusan Sisa Pepejal Negara (JPSPN) has planned for your respective states. Enjoy yah? Like I said in my previous post, a landfill could appear in your backyard if you do not object, that is! If you are concerned, would you transfer your concerns to your Member of Parliament or Aduns!

ASIDE: Allow me to have this cheeky thought. This plot smacks of cronyism, monopoly and federalizing. Agenda 21, of which we are a signatory, insists that solid waste must be managed by the municipalities.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

ROTTEN EGGS CANNOT BE HATCHED?


We generate 24,000 tons of

Municipal Solid Waste a day.

We also contribute 15,000 tons

of sewage aka human waste a day.

That is 39,000 tons of “waste” daily!


If these were dumped around the Twin Towers, it will completely bury the TT and its complexes IN TWO DAYS!

But of course we will not allow this to happen.

The Ministry of Housing & Local Government has formed a new Department called Jabatan Pengurusan Sisa Pepajal Negara. They recruited some 2,000 employees and have come out with a Master Plan – create dump-sites around the country to contain our waste! That's it, just dump the waste into more landfills. Hurray! …and they took 6 years to hatch this bright idea!

So don’t be surprised if one of these landfills will be at your backyard if this Jabatan is not checked and monitored!

Stay around when we unveil that Master Plan.

Monday, February 14, 2011

HEALTH HAZARDS IN eWASTE

Computers and other electronic equipment are manufactured from materials found naturally as well as man-made. While some naturally occurring substances, such as chromium, are harmless in nature, their use in the manufacture of electronic equipment often results in compounds which are hazardous.

These are highly toxic and especially harmful to human health and the environment if not disposed of carefully.


ARSENIC is a poisonous metallic element which is present in dust and soluble substances. Chronic exposure to arsenic can lead to various diseases of the skin and decrease nerve conduction velocity and can cause lung cancer.

BARIUM is a metallic element that is used in sparkplugs, fluorescent lamps and "getters" in vacuum tubes. Being highly unstable in the pure form, it forms poisonous oxides when in contact with air. Short-term exposure to barium could lead to brain swelling, muscle weakness, damage to the heart, liver and spleen.

BERYLLIUM has been classified as a human carcinogen since exposure to it can cause lung cancer. The primary health concern is inhalation of beryllium dust, fume or mist. Workers who are constantly exposed to beryllium, even in small amounts, and who become sensitised to it can develop Chronic Beryllium Disease (beryllicosis), a disease which primarily affects the lungs. Exposure to beryllium causes a form of skin disease that is characterised by poor wound healing and wart-like bumps. Studies have shown that people can still develop beryllium diseases many years after the last exposure.

BROMINATED FLAME RETARDANTS (BFR’s) The three main types of BFRS used in electronic and electrical appliances are Polybrominated biphenyl (PBB), Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) and Tetrabromobisphenol - A (TBBPA). BFRs have been found in indoor dust and air through migration and evaporation from plastics. Combustion of halogenated case material and printed wiring boards at lower temperatures releases toxic emissions including dioxins which can lead to severe hormonal disorders. Major electronic manufacturers have begun to phase out BFRs because of its toxicity.

CADMIUM components may have serious impacts on the kidneys. It is adsorbed through respiration and taken up with food. Due to the long half-life in the body, cadmium can easily be accumulated in amounts that cause symptoms of poisoning. Acute exposure to cadmium fumes causes flu-like symptoms of weakness, fever, headache, chills, sweating and muscular pain. The primary health risks of long term exposure are lung cancer and kidney damage.

CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons) are compounds composed of carbon, fluorine, chlorine, and sometimes hydrogen. Used mainly in cooling units and insulation foam, it has been phased out because when released into the atmosphere, it accumulates in the stratosphere and have a deleterious effect on the ozone layer. This results in increased incidence of skin cancer in humans and in genetic damage in many organisms.


Fairgoers look at a pile of computer waste displayed by environmental pressure group Greenpeace at the CeBIT trade fair in Hanover on March 4, 2008. Greenpeace is calling on IT manufacturers to clean up their act and design products that are eco-friendly and recyclable. AFP PHOTO JOHN MACDOUGALL (Photo credit should read JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/Getty Images)


CHROMIUM and its oxides are widely used because of their high conductivity and anti corrosive properties. While some forms of chromium are non toxic, Chromium (VI) is easily absorbed in the human body and can produce various toxic effects within cells. Most chromium (VI) compounds are irritating to eyes, skin and mucous membranes. Chronic exposure to chromium (VI) compounds can cause permanent eye injury, unless properly treated. Chromium VI may also cause DNA damage.

DIOXINS AND FURANS are a family of chemicals comprising 75 different types of dioxin compounds and 135 related compounds known as furans. “Dioxins” refer to the family of compounds comprising polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs). Although never intentionally manufactured, dioxins form as unwanted by-products in the manufacture of some pesticides as well as during combustion. It is known to be highly toxic to animals and humans because it bio-accumulates in the body and can lead to malformations of the foetus, decreased reproduction and growth rates and cause impairment of the immune system among other things.

LEAD is the fifth most widely used metal after iron, aluminium, copper and zinc. It is commonly used in the electrical and electronics industry in solder, lead-acid batteries, electronic components, cable sheathing, in the glass of CRTs etc. Short-term exposure to high levels of lead can cause vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, coma or even death. Other symptoms are appetite loss, abdominal pain, constipation, fatigue, sleeplessness, irritability and headache. Continued excessive exposure, as in an industrial setting, can affect the kidneys. It is particularly dangerous for young children because it can damage nervous connections and cause blood and brain disorders.

MERCURY is one of the most toxic yet widely used metals in the production of electrical and electronic applications. It is a toxic heavy metal that bioaccumulates causing brain and liver damage if ingested or inhaled. In electronics and electrical appliances, mercury is highly concentrated in batteries, some switches and thermostats, and fluorescent lamps.

POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYIS(PCBs) are a class of organic compounds used in a variety of applications, including dielectric fluids for capacitors and transformers, heat transfer fluids and as additives in adhesives and plastics. PCBs have been shown to cause cancer in animals and to cause a number of serious non-cancer health effects in animals, including effects on the immune system, reproductive system, nervous system, endocrine system and other health effects. PCBs are persistent contaminants in the environment. Due to the high lipid solubility and slow metabolism rate of these chemicals, PCBs accumulate in the fat-rich tissues of almost all organisms (bioaccumulation). The use of PCBs is prohibited in OECD countries, however, due to its wide use in the past, it still can be found in e-waste and in some other wastes.

POLYVINYL CHLORIDE (PVC) is the most widely-used plastic, used in everyday electronics and appliances, household items, pipes, upholstery etc. PVC is hazardous because contains up to 56% chlorine which when burned produces large quantities of hydrogen chloride gas, which combines with water to form hydrochloric acid and is dangerous because when inhaled, leads to respiratory problems.

SELENIUM. Exposure to high concentrations of selenium compounds cause selenosis. The major signs of selenosis are hair loss, nail brittleness, and neurological abnormalities (such as numbness and other odd sensations in the extremities).

Personal Computers (PCs)

Televisions and Computer Monitors (other than flat screens) produce images using a cathode ray tube (CRT), a heavy funnel-shaped glass tube with a Fat screen at the front and an electron emitter at the back. The CRT creates images when electrons hit the back of the phosphor-coated screen, lighting it up and allowing us to watch cartoons or browse the web. In order to protect humans and animals from radiation produced inside the cathode ray tubes, 3-8 pounds of lead are encapsulated in the glass within each monitor or television. While lead has long been known to be a human toxin capable of causing cancer, there are many other materials in electronic waste with toxic effects.

CRT'S are not the only hazardous components in e-waste. Circuit boards readily qualify as hazardous waste due to the presence of lead and copper. This means that everything from cell phones to electronic toys and microwave ovens have hazardous components in them and must be handled properly at end of life. Mercury is present in Åat screens, scanners, and switches. Beryllium, cadmium, and arsenic also present in electronic waste mean it must be handled properly at the time of disposal.

Many discarded computers still work, but they are "thrown away" or stored in garages to make room for upgrades. Tons of computers that are supposedly "recycled" end up being exported to developing countries.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

EXPORTING DISEASE AND DEATH.

Where does e-waste end up?

Many old electronic goods gather dust in storage waiting to be reused, recycled or thrown away. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that as much as three quarters of the computers sold in the US are stockpiled in garages and closets. When thrown away, they end up in landfills or incinerators or, more recently, are exported to Asia.

Landfill

According to the US EPA, more than 4.6 million tonnes of e-waste ended up in US landfills in 2000. Toxic chemicals in electronics products can leach into the land over time or are released into the atmosphere, impacting nearby communities and the environment. In many European countries, regulations have been introduced to prevent electronic waste being dumped in landfills due to its hazardous content. However, the practice still continues in many countries. In Hong Kong for example, it is estimated that 10-20 percent of discarded computers go to landfill.

Incineration

This releases heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury into the air and ashes. Mercury released into the atmosphere can bio accumulate in the foodchain, particularly in fish - the major route of exposure for the general public. If the products contain PVC plastic, highly toxic dioxins and furans are also released. Brominated flame retardants generate brominated dioxins and furans when e-waste is burned.

Reuse

A good way to increase a product's lifespan. Many old products are exported to developing countries. Although the benefits of reusing electronics in this way are clear, the practice is causing serious problems because the old products are dumped after a short period of use in areas that are unlikely to have hazardous waste facilities.

Recycle

Although recycling can be a good way to reuse the raw materials in a product, the hazardous chemicals in e-waste mean that electronics can harm workers in the recycling yards, as well as their neighbouring communities and environment.

In developed countries, electronics recycling takes place in purpose-built recycling plants under controlled conditions. In many EU states for example, plastics from e-waste are not recycled to avoid brominated furans and dioxins being released into the atmosphere. In developing countries however, there are no such controls. Recycling is done by hand in scrap yards, often by children.

Export

E-waste is routinely exported by developed countries to developing ones, often in violation of the international law. Inspections of 18 European seaports in 2005 found as much as 47 percent of waste destined for export, including e-waste, was illegal. In the UK alone, at least 23,000 metric tonnes of undeclared or 'grey' market electronic waste was illegally shipped in 2003 to the Far East, India, Africa and China. In the US, it is estimated that 50-80 percent of the waste collected for recycling is being exported in this way. This practice is legal because the US has not ratified the Basel Convention.

Mainland China tried to prevent this trade by banning the import of e-waste in 2000. However, we have discovered that the laws are not working; e-waste is still arriving in Guiya of Guangdong Province, the main centre of e-waste scrapping in China.

We have also found a growing e-waste trade problem in India. 25,000 workers are employed at scrap yards in Delhi alone, where 10-20000 tonnes of e-waste is handled each year, 25 percent of this being computers. Other e-waste scrap yards have been found in Meerut, Ferozabad, Chennai, Bangalore and Mumbai.

How did the trade evolve?

In the 1990s, governments in the EU, Japan and some US states set up e-waste 'recycling' systems. But many countries did not have the capacity to deal with the sheer quantity of e-waste they generated or with its hazardous nature.

Therefore, they began exporting the problem to developing countries where laws to protect workers and the environment are inadequate or not enforced. It is also cheaper to 'recycle' waste in developing countries; the cost of glass-to-glass recycling of computer monitors in the US is ten times more than in China.

Demand in Asia for electronic waste began to grow when scrap yards found they could extract valuable substances such as copper, iron, silicon, nickel and gold, during the recycling process. A mobile phone, for example, is 19 percent copper and eight percent iron.

NEXT

HEALTH HAZARDS IN eWASTE

Sunday, February 6, 2011

AND MALAYSIA IS ONE OF MAIN PORTS THAT RECEIVE AND EXPORT EWASTE TO......

Yes, we are one of the main ports that receive and then dispatch ewaste to DEVELOPING countries! Scroll DOWN to MAP on previous posting.

Here is a report from NPR:

Many people will receive a new computer or cell phone this holiday season — and throw out their old equipment. And when old TVs and computers end up in landfills, the toxic metals and flame retardants they contain can cause environmental problems.

Yet even recycling your e-waste, as it's called, does not always mean you're doing the right thing.

The dirty little secret is that when you take [your electronic waste] to a recycler, instead of throwing it in a trashcan, about 80 percent of that material, very quickly, finds itself on a container ship going to a country like China, Nigeria, India, Vietnam, Pakistan — where very dirty things happen to it," says Jim Puckett, the executive director of the Basel Action Network, which works to keep toxic waste out of the environment.

+++++

SPEND TIME TO LISTEN TO THIS

YOUR FAMILY COULD LISTEN TOO.

++++

read on:

After dumping, what happens to ewaste?

HERE

WHAT IS E-WASTE?


E-waste (electronic waste) includes computers, entertainment electronics, mobile phones and other items that have been discarded by their original users. While there is no generally accepted definition of e-waste, in most cases e-waste consists of expensive and more or less durable products used for data processing, telecommunications or entertainment in private households and businesses.

Why is e-waste a problem?

E-waste is both valuable as source for secondary raw material, and toxic if treated and discarded improperly. Rapid technology change, low initial cost and even planned obsolescence have resulted in a fast growing problem around the globe. Technical solutions are available but in most cases a legal framework, a collection system, logistics and other services need to be implemented before a technical solution can be applied.

Due to lower environmental standards and working conditions in China and India, e-waste is being sent to these countries for processing – in most cases illegally. Bangalore in India and the Guiyu area in the Chaozhou region of China have e-waste processing areas. Uncontrolled burning and disposal are causing environmental problems due to the methods of processing the waste. Trade in e-waste is controlled by the Basel Convention.


E-waste is of concern largely due to the toxicity of some of the substances if processed improperly. The toxicity is due in part to lead, mercury, cadmium and a number of other substances. A typical computer monitor may contain more than 6% lead by weight. Up to thirty-six separate chemical elements are incorporated into e-waste items. The unsustainability of discarded electronics and computer technology is another reason for the need to recycle – or even better, re-use – e-waste.

E-waste presents difficulties for recycling due to the complexity of each item and lack of viable recycling systems. Many of the plastics used in electronic equipment contain flame retardants. These are generally halogens added to the plastic resin, making the plastics difficult to recycle.

Personal Computers (PCs)

Televisions and Computer Monitors (other than flat screens) produce images using a cathode ray tube (CRT), a heavy funnel-shaped glass tube with a Fat screen at the front and an electron emitter at the back. The CRT creates images when electrons hit the back of the phosphor-coated screen, lighting it up and allowing us to watch cartoons or browse the web. In order to protect humans and animals from radiation produced inside the cathode ray tubes, 3-8 pounds of lead are encapsulated in the glass within each monitor or television. While lead has long been known to be a human toxin capable of causing cancer, there are many other materials in electronic waste with toxic effects.

CRT'S are not the only hazardous components in e-waste. Circuit boards readily qualify as hazardous waste due to the presence of lead and copper. This means that everything from cell phones to electronic toys and microwave ovens have hazardous components in them and must be handled properly at end of life. Mercury is present in Åat screens, scanners, and switches. Beryllium, cadmium, and arsenic also present in electronic waste mean it must be handled properly at the time of disposal.

Many discarded computers still work, but they are "thrown away" or stored in garages to make room for upgrades. Tons of computers that are supposedly "recycled" end up being exported to developing countries.

NEXT

What happens to exported E-waste