Delhi's E-Waste Crisis: The Silent Threat to Health and Environment

NEW DELHI, INDIA - DECEMBER 5: A pile of discarded hard drives lie in an electronic waste workshop on December 5, 2023 in New Delhi, India. E-waste, referring to electronic products nearing the end of their life, includes items like computers, smartphones, and more. India, the third-largest producer of electronic waste globally, generates about 2 million tons annually, including undisclosed imports. In Delhi, around 25,000 workers, including children, are involved in crude e-waste dismantling, handling 10,000-20,000 tons yearly with bare hands. This exacerbates India's e-waste challenge, raising concerns for public health and the environment. A 2019 UN report emphasizes the gravity of the issue, revealing that annual e-waste production is valued at over $62 billion, three times more than the combined output of all the world's silver mines. (Photo by Yawar Nazir/Getty Images)