149
local public administration, or in alternative an authorized company can recycle the WEEE.
Please refer to public administration about the separate collection, if this information is not
available, contact the manufacturer of the equipment.
Users have a fundamental role in contributing to reuse, recycling and recovery of WEEE.
The potentially dangerous substances contained in the WEEE can pollute the environment
and produce harmful effects to the human health.
Below, there are a few indications of specific dangers of some substances, which may leach
in the environment and in the water system.
• Lead: damages the nervous system of humans, it affects the endocrine system, the
cardiovascular system and kidneys. It accumulates and is very toxic for animals,
plants and micro-organisms.
• Cadmium: accumulates with a half-life of 30 years and can damage the kidneys and
cause cancer.
• Mercury: it is easily accumulated in organisms and concentrates through the food
chain. It has chronic effects and can cause brain damage.
• Chromium (Hexavalent): easily absorbed into cells with toxic effects. The results can
be allergic reactions, asthma and it is considered to be genotoxic (damages the
DNA). Especially dangerous when incinerated.
• Brominated Flame Retardants: widely used to reduce flammability (e.g. cables,
connectors and plastic cases).
To Next Page
Loading...
