Original Research ArticleInternational Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health
Publication: A community based study on e-waste disposal in Srinagar, Uttarakhand: assessment of awareness and practices
Int J Community Med Public Health. 2018;5(8):3429-3434.DOI10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20183075
Abstract
Background ‘E-waste’ is waste electrical and electronic equipment (EE) which are intended to be discarded. Improper disposal leads to hazardous effects on health and environment. Awareness about e-waste is important for all those using EE.
Methods It was a community based cross sectional study among consumers of EE and scrap dealers in Srinagar city, of Pauri district in Garhwal division of Uttarakhand. Information was collected on knowledge about e-waste, its types and disposal practices.
Results Only 6.7% respondents heard the term E-waste. 77% of the respondents didn’t know about the ways of disposing the e-waste and 45.7% were totally unaware of hazardous effects of improper disposal. Knowledge among scrap dealers was altogether absent.
Conclusions Awareness on various aspects of E-waste was found to be poor among respondents and totally absent among scrap dealers.
Keywords
Affiliations
- Department of Community Medicine, VCSGGMS & RI, Srinagar, Uttarakhand, India
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, AIIMS, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
- VCSGGMS & RI, Srinagar, Uttarakhand, India
- Department of Pediatrics, Shaheed Hassan Khan Mewati Government Medical College, Nalhar, Mewat, Haryana, India
- Department of Biochemistry, BPS Khanpur Government Medical College, Sonipat, Haryana, India