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U.S. Coastline Threatened by E-Waste Menace

Posted 10/07/08 at 07:53:28 PM |  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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TAGS: 
computer, hardware, e-waste, laws, coast, ships, chemicals, marine life, fish
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COMMENTS
avatarYeah, this doesn't strike

Submitted by horzo on Wed, 2008-10-08 12:19

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.

 

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avatar10,000

Submitted by Crazybillybob on Wed, 2008-10-08 06:24



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.

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avatarOK, 10,000 wrecks but how

Submitted by FusilliJerry82 on Tue, 2008-10-07 20:44

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.

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avatarI am of the opinion that

Submitted by jwalch.hawk on Wed, 2008-10-08 16:23

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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