How many chemicals does your cell phone expose you to on a daily basis? A study by healthystuff.org found toxic chemicals in 36 of the most popular phones on the market, including all versions of Apple’s iPhone. Among the 12 different chemicals tested for, the cell phones tested positive for lead, cadmium, and mercury –some of the most harmful and carcinogenic to humans.
The problems begin when products are manufactured with combinations of many heavy metals and continue to inflict severe environmental damage long after they are discarded. Greenpeace has outlined some of the most harmful chemicals found in electronics and their effects all of which can and do bio-accumulate in the environment. These are not limited to, but include:
- Lead- particularly harmful to
pregnant women and children, causing birth and developmental defects.
- Cadmium- causes damage to the lungs and kidneys.
- Mercury- Also specifically harmful to pregnant women and children, impairing neurological development and birth defects.
- Polyvinyl Carbonate (PVC)- releases harmful and toxic chemicals especially when burned, as it would be in a disposal plant.
- Bromated Flame Retardants- Disruptive to hormone systems and causes learning and memory impairment.
How can you protect your personal health along with the well-being of the planet? Proper disposal of electronic devices is essential. Even when electronics leave our homes and go into the garbage, they can get back into our bodies through water, food, and exposure to outdoor elements.
Learn more how to safely dispose of toxic electronics and keep chemicals out of the environment through our extensive recycling resources on our website.