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REPORT ON THE PANEL SESSION: EMERGING ELECTRONICS ISSUES - HOW CAN WE MINIMIZE THE HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF ELECTRONICS RECYCLING?
Citation:
KNIGHT, L., C. LAMIE, J. VAN EE, AND B. A. SCHUMACHER. REPORT ON THE PANEL SESSION: EMERGING ELECTRONICS ISSUES - HOW CAN WE MINIMIZE THE HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF ELECTRONICS RECYCLING? U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-05/101 (NTIS pb2006-100901), 2005.
Impact/Purpose:
The objective of this task is to further examine, and educate others in, how better decisions may be made from variable and uncertain monitoring data and models. The research and information developed can be used by project managers from all government agencies, academia, and private industry to help identify the technically best practices available to solve their research and program needs.
For electronic wastes, The objective of this task is hold a worshop/symposium aimed at identifying the current state-of-the-knowledge on electronic waste recycling, disposal, and reuse and idenifying the research gaps/needs in the area of electonic wastes.
Description:
The production and use of electronic products is growing and the rapid pace at which the technology advances means that many electronic products become obsolete in a relatively short period of time. These factors are contributing to a growing challenge for waste management because electronic waste contains a vast array of materials, some of which are hazardous to human health or the environment. While EPA supports resource conservation and recycling, the Agency also must confront the possibility that increased electronics recycling could pose its own risks to human health and the environment. To avoid unanticipated problems in the future, EPA should proactively identify and mitigate potential risks associated with electronics recycling. To this end, EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) convened a panel of experts to discuss the state of electronics recycling and identify key challenges and research needs. The panel met on May 19, 2005 in New Orleans at the 2005 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) International Symposium on Electronics and the Environment, and included individuals from several sectors of the electronics recycling industry, academia, plastics industry, and the risk assessment community. This report summarizes an expert panel's discussions and recommendations. It is intended to serve as a reference for EPA and others in prioritizing research and other actions.