Radiation and Information Technology Hardware Disposal-A Threat to Biodiversity

Unwanted electromagnetic radiation from different electronic equipments is a greatest threat to the environment. It has been observed that trees exposed to high frequency radiation converts these waves into electrical currents that flow down through the tree bodies and change the two important parameters - the pH value and the electrical conductivity of the soil. Disappearance of bees, house sparrows, etc, are because of the coinciding mushrooming of the cell towers, electric clouds, high frequency transmission cable, etc. Again, continuous exposure of electromagnetic radiations to plant bodies results poor seed germination and have an adverse effect on enzyme activity. Attempt has been made to show the harmful effect of electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones on plant and human bodies.

We can't even think a day without computer or television or mobile phones. But the disposal of the hardwares of these communication equipments is a great concern to the ecology. The toxic solvents, acids and heavy metals that are used for manufacturing printed board circuits, cathode ray tubes for computer monitors, TV screens, etc., create environmental hazards. Moreover, these communication equipments become outdated very quickly and their repairing cost is more compared to the price of new goods. So these devices present a tremendous disposal problem. If not disposed of properly the metals from the cell phone and other electronic equipments can leak into the environment through corrosion and can cause a series of problems in the environment. Different types of hazards that creep in because of improper disposal of electronic items have been discussed in this paper.