A silent health danger stalks people

摘要

Though more than a year has passed since the E-waste (Management and Handling) Rules came into effect in May 2012, their implementation is still in a nascent stage, atleast in Varanasi, one of the major cities of Uttar Pradesh. In fact, the state ranks fourth among the 10 largest e-waste generating states in the country. Interestingly, the regional unit of U.P. State Pollution Control Board (UPSPCB) has no data regarding quantity or generation of electrical and electronic waste in the district though a private firm has been authorised for segregation of e-waste. The firm is also unable to quantify such wastes. 'The E-waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2011 mandate for safe disposal of electronic and electrical wastes through private bodies,' said Dr T.N. Singh, Assistant Scientific Officer at the Varanasi unit of UPSPCB. He, however, failed to provide any data of such waste generated in the district.