Title: Electronic waste in the United States - Wikipedia
Headings: Electronic waste in the United States
Electronic waste in the United States
Contents
History of regulation
Environmental and health effects
Hazardous materials in electronic devices
Domestic effects
Global effects
United States legislation
Federal
State
United States' export of e-waste
Export results
TVs:
Mobile Phones:
Computers:
Monitors:
Re-export destination flows: Transport Sites
International unregulated e-waste junkyards
Improper dismantling and processing
Open burning
Waste storage for processing
Export responsibility
Regulation of e-waste
International regulation
Domestic regulation
Lobbying
Consumer recycling
Donation
Takeback
Reuse
See also
References
Further reading
External links
Organizations

Content: When taken apart without proper recycling methods, tools, or protective wear, workers and residents become exposed to the toxic chemicals in the devices. E-waste negatively impacts health primarily through the exposure of heavy metal dioxins. Incinerating e-waste without proper workplace and environmental regulations poses a risk because it generates dioxins, which can cause cancer and plague the human body and environment for long periods of time. Moreover, open burning, a common practice in developing countries receiving e-waste, releases toxic fumes and dust that can be easily inhaled and effect nearby food sources and water bodies. In addition to direct exposure through open burning and dismantling, e-waste storages and landfills can result in leakage of dioxins into the natural surroundings area. These dioxins are able to permeate the soil and contaminate ground water and nearby vegetation; not only does ecological contamination negatively affect overall ecosystem function, but it is another method in which all living organisms' health risks increase dramatically. A few of these chemicals include: Flame retardants: Some flame retardants like Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs), which can be found in e-waste plastic to make electronic products more flame resistant, are emitted into the environment through e-waste dismantling and become dust and air.