Post by lohanhumphrey on Nov 8, 2011 5:09:59 GMT -5
As we all know the major threat that we all face in the current information technology revolution is the disposal of e waste. It is a complex question we need to deal with such as how we could dump the e waste safely and avoid the hazardous after effects it cause in human health and environment. What is happening is that there are a large amount of hazardous materials contained in consumer electronics and computers that have typically been disposed of with normal trash. It is pointed out by scientists that materials such as lead used in monitor tubes and solder, mercury and other materials can leach out of the electronics in landfills and pollute water supplies. In order to avoid such disasters a number of governments are looking at various ways to remove these materials through recycling and other programs. The governments in Europe, after much effort, have gone even further than trying to prevent old electronics from ending up in landfills. As a preventive method, they have put together the RoHS directive in order to mandate what electronics can be sold within the continent. This directive was put into effect on July 1st, 2006 and it is quiet satisfying that it has brad implications for consumer electronics as a whole. According to this directive, in the manufacture of various types of electronic and electrical equipments, six hazardous materials are restricted to use. Also, there is another related directive such as the waste electrical and electronic equipment directive or WEEE. Both rohs and weee directives are closely linked.