What are the negative effects of dumping e-waste?

What are the negative effects of dumping e-waste?

Dumping e-waste instead of recycling it properly can have devastating effects on both the environment and human health. When not recycled properly, the toxic elements from e-waste can end up in human drinking water and potentially cause damage to the brain, heart, liver, kidney, and more.

How does e-waste harm the environment?

Dumping e-waste allows the dangerous heavy metals found in IT equipment – including lithium, lead, mercury, and barium – to leak into soil and eventually into groundwater. This contamination can be detrimental to the health of living organisms, as plants and water become damaged before being consumed by animals and humans. These harmful effects can impact a widespread area in addition to the immediate site of the e-waste dump.