Abstract: E-waste is the toxic legacy of our digital age which is contributing in the depletion of Mother
Nature by polluting natural resources. Electronic and electrical waste consists of hazardous and
heavy metals, which are extremely harmful to living organism. Improper disposal of these
elements by informal sector leads to air, land and water pollution which causes severe impact on
the living organisms and environment. The present study was undertaken to examine the
different perspectives related to e-waste handling like knowledge of e-waste handlers about ewaste
and e-waste threats as perceived by them. The major findings of the study were that
majority of e-waste handlers had lack of knowledge about harms in e-waste collection process
(42.85%), deficiency of knowledge in awareness about hazard of e-waste (45.71%),
unacceptance of e-waste as a potent threat (40%), misinformation about Chemicals in e-waste
harming the environment (45.71%), and lack of information Hazardous chemicals in e-waste
(45.71%). Thus by this data it was concluded that there is a need to conduct periodic training
among e-waste handlers right from waste collection to waste disposal including information
about hazards evoked through unorganized disposal of e-waste upon mankind and environment. |