S.NO

PARTICULARS

SOURCE

HEALTH EFFECTS

1.

Lead

Used in glass panels and gaskets in computer monitors

Solder in printed circuit boards and other Components

Lead causes damage to the central and peripheral nervous systems, blood systems, kidney and reproductive system in humans. It also effects the endocrine system, and impedes brain development among children. Lead tends to accumulate in the environment and has high acute and chronic effects on plants, animals and microorganisms.

2.

Cadmium

Occurs in SMD chip resistors, infra- red detectors, and semiconductor chips

Some older cathode ray tubes contain cadmium

Toxic cadmium compounds accumulate in the human body, especially the kidneys.

3.

Mercury

It is estimated that 22 % of the yearly world consumption of mercury is used in electrical and

Mercury can cause damage to organs including the brain and kidneys, as well as the foetus. The developing foetus is highly vulnerable to mercury exposure. When inorganic

electronic equipment

Mercury is used in thermostats, sensors, relays, switches, medical equipment, lamps, mobile phones and in batteries

Mercury, used in flat panel displays, will likely increase as their use replaces cathode ray tubes

mercury spreads out in the water, it is transformed to methylated mercury which bio-accumulates in living organisms and concentrates through the food chain, particularly via fish.

4.

Hexavalent

Chromium/ Chromium VI 29

Chromium VI is used as corrosion protector of untreated and galvanized steel plates and as a decorative or hardener for steel housings Plastics (including PVC): Dioxin is released when PVC is burned.

The largest volume of plastics (26%) used in electronics has been PVC. PVC elements are found in cabling and computer housings.

Many computer moldings are now made with the somewhat more benign ABS plastics

Chromium VI can cause damage to DNA and is extremely toxic in the environment.

5.

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs):

BFRs are used in the plastic housings of electronic equipment and in circuit boards to prevent flammability

6.

Barium

Barium is a soft silvery-white metal that is used in computers in the front panel of a CRT, to protect users from radiation

Studies have shown that short-term exposure to barium causes brain swelling, muscle weakness, damage to the heart, liver, and spleen.

7.

Beryllium

Beryllium is commonly found on motherboards and finger clips

It is used as a copper-beryllium alloy to strengthen connectors and tinyplugs while maintaining electrical conductivity

Exposure to beryllium can cause lung cancer. Beryllium also causes a skin disease that is characterised by poor wound healing and wartlike bumps. Studies have shown that people can develop beryllium disease many years following the last exposure.

8.

Toners

Found in the plastic printer cartridge containing black and color toners.

Inhalation is the primary exposure pathway, and acute exposure may lead to respiratory tract irritation. Carbon black has been classified as a class 2B carcinogen, possibly

carcinogenic to humans. Reports indicate that colour toners (cyan, magenta and yellow) contain heavy metals.

9.

Phosphor and additives

Phosphor is an inorganic chemical compound that is applied as a coat on the interior of the CRT faceplate.

The phosphor coating on cathode ray tubes contains heavy metals, such as cadmium, and other rare earth metals, for example, zinc, vanadium as additives. These metals and their compounds are very toxic. This is a serious hazard posed for those who dismantle CRTs by hand.