WHO: Soaring E-waste Affects Health of Millions of Children
The World Health Organization (WHO) warns in a new report that the rapid increase in electronic waste poses a serious health risk to millions of children globally. The organization calls for stricter enforcement measures to protect children from this growing hazard.
Geneva – The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first comprehensive report on the link between electronic waste and children's health. The "Children and e-waste environments" report reveals that millions of children and pregnant women are at risk due to the irresponsible disposal or recycling of electronic products.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, described the growing volume of discarded electronics as a "tsunami of e-waste" threatening lives worldwide. He emphasized the need for global cooperation to protect children from this escalating danger, similar to efforts against plastic pollution.
An estimated 12.9 million women work in the unregulated e-waste sector, exposing them to toxic substances that can harm fetal development. Additionally, over 18 million children and adolescents, some as young as 5, are involved in informal waste processing. Children are more vulnerable to the toxic elements found in e-waste, such as lead and mercury, due to their smaller body size and developing organs.
E-waste contains over a thousand dangerous substances, including lead, mercury, and flame retardants. Exposure can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes, premature birth, and low birth weight. In children, such exposure can impair cognitive development, increase behavioral problems, and elevate the risk of cancer and heart disease later in life.
The global volume of electronic waste is rising sharply. In 2019, approximately 53.6 million metric tons were generated, a 21% increase over the previous five years. The WHO urges immediate and effective mandatory measures to manage this waste and safeguard children's health.