U.S. Coastline Threatened by E-Waste Menace
U.S. Coastline Threatened by E-Waste Menace
Posted 10/07/2008 at 4:53pm
| by Pulkit Chandna
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E-waste is a global concern that is being deliberated upon by many researchers, legislators, activists and jurists globally. It seems all these people – at least in the U.S. – have more to think about, as it has come to light that e-waste is piling along the U.S. coastline. The large number of ships that sink around the U.S. don’t drown alone, but they carry computers that leach hazardous chemicals with them. The number of sunken vessels around the U.S. coastline is estimated to be around 10,000.
Doug Helton, acting director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program describes, told DailyTech that these chemicals pose a threat to humans by infiltrating and moving up the food chain. The toxic e-waste is not only baneful to local ecosystems but is fatal for various forms of marine life. Most experts feel there is a need for Congress to step in and clean the shoreline.
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horzo
October 08, 2008 at 11:19am
Yeah, this doesn't strike me as something that should be anywhere near the top on a list of environmental concerns. If you want to worry about ships and the environment, start with the tons of garbage thrown overboard every year.
Crazybillybob
October 08, 2008 at 5:24am
Weather from the 80's or earlier, it wouldn't matter. Many
of the older ships use lead alloy bearings, or lead as ballast, add that to all
the copper (yes copper can be a hazard, it kills many types of algae , and other
microbes, also in some forms is considered a heavy metal (think lead, cadmium,
etc)) and oils onboard you still have issues.
FusilliJerry82
October 07, 2008 at 7:44pm
OK, 10,000 wrecks but how many of those are since the 80s where they would have had computers on board?
There's much more important things to worry about. And the less Congress steps in with anything the better.
jwalch.hawk
October 08, 2008 at 3:23pm
I am of the opinion that somehow if the government were responsible for cleaning up the shores that they would end up a bigger mess than they started out...
But it seems like no one wants to do it.
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