HAZARDOUS E-WASTE RECYCLING PRACTICES AFFECTING INFORMAL RECYCLERS HEALTH IN INDIA A CASE STUDY

Abstract

In India, unskilled workers, including children, extract precious metals like Fe, Al, Cu, Cd, Ag, Au, Pd, and Pb without personal protective equipment. They are exposed to a variety of toxic chemicals through dermal contact, inhalation, and ingestion, which are not only detrimental to their health but to the environment also. The paper adopts a cross-sectional study design to gain insights into hazardous ways of processing e-waste by the informal sector, and subsequently, health illness arises among the recycler. ANOVA and Multiple Regression Analysis are used for analyzing the data of the study. The test statistic reveals that there is a significant relationship between education and hazardous recycling practices followed by informal workers. Those who lack formal education were indifferent towards crude recycling practices as it was linked to livelihood wherein educated were forced to carry out such activity as they had no other opportunity available for them.