E-waste recycling environmental contamination: Mandoli, India

Technological innovation has resulted in the generation of huge amounts of obsolete electronic equipment. As a result of financial constraints and lack of adequate knowledge, recycling and disposal of e-waste in India is rudimentary, mostly carried out informally in backyard operations. Considerable amounts of wastes and residues are thus generated and contaminate the soil, air and groundwater of the surrounding environment. In this work, a survey in the Mandoli metal recycling area, in New Delhi, India, has been carried out in order to identify the extent of environmental degradation and associated health effects. Concentrations of copper, aluminium, lead, zinc, nickel, manganese and cadmium in soil samples indicate extensive contamination, compared with the reference site. Groundwater concentrations of manganese, copper, aluminium, chromium (VI) and selenium are beyond the desirable limits of Indian potable water. A survey conducted simultaneously revealed that health impairment of local inhabitants is apparent.