E-Waste: Awareness on Generation, Health, Environment Hazards and Management Practices among E-Devices Users in South India

Introduction: Management of E-waste is essential priority as India emerges as 5th largest E-waste producer globally. Primitive and hazardous management of E-waste poses potential hazardous consequences to both humankind and environment. Objectives: To describe the awareness towards generation, health, environmental hazards and management of E-waste among E-device users in South India. Methods: E-survey questionnaire assessing the awareness related to generation, health, environmental hazards and management practices of E-waste designed by using Google Docs was circulated among E-device users through social media network across India. Data was analyzed in Google docs and Chi-Square test was performed for significant associations. Results: Out of 533 responses, 471 (88.37 %) were medical professional and 62 (11.63 %) were non-medicos; 277 (51.97 %) were female, 334 (62.66 %) were graduates, 393 (73.73 %) own multiple E-devices, Out of the total 471 medico respondents 347 (73.67 %) own more than two E-devices; 440 (82.55 %) are urban residents. Among respondents, 205 (38.47 %) of them have poor awareness on E-waste. A total of 453 (85 %) of the respondents were aware of health hazards due to E-waste and 37 (6.9 %) knew that E-waste causes DNA Damage, 23 (4.31 %) felt that it causes Lung Cancer, 39 (7.31 %) about brain damage (neuro-developmental disorders) and 434 (81.42 %) chose all the options. Also, 479 (89.9 %) respondents were aware about the environmental hazards due to E-waste. Majority respondents, 422 (79.2 %) were unaware of government policies for E-waste management in India Disposal of the E-device (36 %) as E-waste handling practice is more common followed by re-use (33.80 %) after repairs at service center. Only 55 (10.3 %) respondents identified- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and only 57 (10.7 %) respondents had some measure or form of work-place policy for E-waste management. Conclusion: Poor awareness on E-waste generation, health, environmental hazards and sub-optimal handling practices was found among E-device users across South India.