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Questions and Answers
Which of the following chemicals is NOT identified as a major public health concern by the World Health Organization?
Which of the following chemicals is NOT identified as a major public health concern by the World Health Organization?
What factors can neurodevelopmental toxicants affect in children?
What factors can neurodevelopmental toxicants affect in children?
Which statement about mercury is true?
Which statement about mercury is true?
How does mercury primarily persist in the environment?
How does mercury primarily persist in the environment?
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What is the significance of methylmercury in the food chain?
What is the significance of methylmercury in the food chain?
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Which of the following is NOT a potential effect of neurodevelopmental toxicants?
Which of the following is NOT a potential effect of neurodevelopmental toxicants?
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In what way does mercury interact with its environment?
In what way does mercury interact with its environment?
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Which of the following statements about industrial releases of mercury is correct?
Which of the following statements about industrial releases of mercury is correct?
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Which rare earth element is critical in the motors used in electric vehicles?
Which rare earth element is critical in the motors used in electric vehicles?
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What percentage of a new smartphone's carbon emissions comes from manufacturing and raw material extraction?
What percentage of a new smartphone's carbon emissions comes from manufacturing and raw material extraction?
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What is one of the small actions suggested to make a difference in e-waste management?
What is one of the small actions suggested to make a difference in e-waste management?
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Which percentage of CO2 emissions from smartphones is attributed to refurbishing and end-of-life processes?
Which percentage of CO2 emissions from smartphones is attributed to refurbishing and end-of-life processes?
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Which of the following is a use of rare earth elements in military equipment?
Which of the following is a use of rare earth elements in military equipment?
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What effect could a shortfall of rare earth elements have on climate goals?
What effect could a shortfall of rare earth elements have on climate goals?
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Which rare earth element is commonly found in oil paints?
Which rare earth element is commonly found in oil paints?
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What action has the highest potential to reduce a smartphone's carbon footprint?
What action has the highest potential to reduce a smartphone's carbon footprint?
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How many metals are found in a smartphone?
How many metals are found in a smartphone?
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What is the impact of smartphones on rare earth element depletion?
What is the impact of smartphones on rare earth element depletion?
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What is a primary method through which humans are exposed to methylmercury?
What is a primary method through which humans are exposed to methylmercury?
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Which of the following products is NOT commonly known to contain mercury?
Which of the following products is NOT commonly known to contain mercury?
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Which statement about mercury toxicity is true?
Which statement about mercury toxicity is true?
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What reaction can occur after exposure to mercury that affects the nervous system?
What reaction can occur after exposure to mercury that affects the nervous system?
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Which industrial process is a significant source of unintentional mercury release?
Which industrial process is a significant source of unintentional mercury release?
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Which of the following mercury compounds is commonly found in cosmetics?
Which of the following mercury compounds is commonly found in cosmetics?
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What are potential symptoms of mercury poisoning?
What are potential symptoms of mercury poisoning?
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What group of people is particularly susceptible to the effects of mercury?
What group of people is particularly susceptible to the effects of mercury?
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Which of the following is an example of an anthropogenic source of mercury in the environment?
Which of the following is an example of an anthropogenic source of mercury in the environment?
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Which mercury-containing household item is known for having approximately ½ gram of mercury?
Which mercury-containing household item is known for having approximately ½ gram of mercury?
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What might indicate the presence of mercury in cosmetics?
What might indicate the presence of mercury in cosmetics?
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What health effect is known to be irreversible following excessive mercury exposure?
What health effect is known to be irreversible following excessive mercury exposure?
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Why is international cooperation necessary for controlling mercury pollution?
Why is international cooperation necessary for controlling mercury pollution?
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Which of the following symptoms of mercury poisoning could manifest changes in personality?
Which of the following symptoms of mercury poisoning could manifest changes in personality?
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Which category does not fall under e-waste?
Which category does not fall under e-waste?
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What is the estimated global discard of e-waste annually?
What is the estimated global discard of e-waste annually?
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What percentage of global WEEE is formally treated?
What percentage of global WEEE is formally treated?
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Which statement best describes the Basel Convention?
Which statement best describes the Basel Convention?
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What significant environmental impact is associated with the production of Rare Earth Elements?
What significant environmental impact is associated with the production of Rare Earth Elements?
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Which type of e-waste is typically considered unprofitable for recycling?
Which type of e-waste is typically considered unprofitable for recycling?
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What is one of the primary challenges faced in current recycling processes for e-waste?
What is one of the primary challenges faced in current recycling processes for e-waste?
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How many rare earth elements are classified as REEs?
How many rare earth elements are classified as REEs?
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What is the overarching aim of the Basel Convention?
What is the overarching aim of the Basel Convention?
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Which of the following is NOT a category of e-waste?
Which of the following is NOT a category of e-waste?
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What will the projected global discard of e-waste reach by 2050?
What will the projected global discard of e-waste reach by 2050?
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Which country is reported to produce the majority of the world's REE supply?
Which country is reported to produce the majority of the world's REE supply?
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What factors influence the recycling potential of different types of e-waste?
What factors influence the recycling potential of different types of e-waste?
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Which is a common hazard released from improperly managed e-waste?
Which is a common hazard released from improperly managed e-waste?
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What process describes the accumulation of POP concentrations being higher in older organisms than in younger ones?
What process describes the accumulation of POP concentrations being higher in older organisms than in younger ones?
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Which type of exposure is characterized by a short-term exposure to high concentrations of POPs?
Which type of exposure is characterized by a short-term exposure to high concentrations of POPs?
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Which health effect is NOT associated with human exposure to dioxins and dioxin-like substances?
Which health effect is NOT associated with human exposure to dioxins and dioxin-like substances?
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What is a primary route of human exposure to organochlorine pesticides?
What is a primary route of human exposure to organochlorine pesticides?
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What substance is considered a byproduct of both combustion and various industrial processes that can lead to dioxin exposure?
What substance is considered a byproduct of both combustion and various industrial processes that can lead to dioxin exposure?
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Which international agreement aims to eliminate or restrict the production and use of persistent organic pollutants?
Which international agreement aims to eliminate or restrict the production and use of persistent organic pollutants?
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Which of the following is NOT a recommended intervention to reduce human exposure to dioxins?
Which of the following is NOT a recommended intervention to reduce human exposure to dioxins?
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What chemical contaminant commonly found in Agent Orange is associated with toxic health effects?
What chemical contaminant commonly found in Agent Orange is associated with toxic health effects?
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What was the main result of Chisso Corporation's industrial waste disposal in Minamata Bay?
What was the main result of Chisso Corporation's industrial waste disposal in Minamata Bay?
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What condition is caused by exposure to certain toxic halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, including dioxins?
What condition is caused by exposure to certain toxic halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, including dioxins?
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How can dioxins and similar substances move throughout the environment?
How can dioxins and similar substances move throughout the environment?
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Which of the following is NOT a symptom of Minamata disease?
Which of the following is NOT a symptom of Minamata disease?
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Which of the following strategies helps to reduce contamination in food and feed according to the regulations?
Which of the following strategies helps to reduce contamination in food and feed according to the regulations?
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When did the Minamata Convention aim to end primary mercury mining globally?
When did the Minamata Convention aim to end primary mercury mining globally?
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What is the primary characteristic of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that makes them particularly concerning?
What is the primary characteristic of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that makes them particularly concerning?
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What is the significance of the Minamata Convention?
What is the significance of the Minamata Convention?
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What type of electronic waste, commonly referred to as e-waste, includes items like discarded computers and televisions?
What type of electronic waste, commonly referred to as e-waste, includes items like discarded computers and televisions?
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What is a common outcome of exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)?
What is a common outcome of exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)?
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Which type of chemicals does NOT belong in the category of Persistent Organic Pollutants?
Which type of chemicals does NOT belong in the category of Persistent Organic Pollutants?
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What health impacts are being researched in the Grassy Narrows First Nation as a result of past mercury exposure?
What health impacts are being researched in the Grassy Narrows First Nation as a result of past mercury exposure?
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Which characteristic contributes to the danger of Persistent Organic Pollutants in the environment?
Which characteristic contributes to the danger of Persistent Organic Pollutants in the environment?
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What does bioaccumulation mean in the context of Persistent Organic Pollutants?
What does bioaccumulation mean in the context of Persistent Organic Pollutants?
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Why are Persistent Organic Pollutants considered a global concern?
Why are Persistent Organic Pollutants considered a global concern?
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What was the consequence of mercury released by the Ontario pulp and paper mill into the Wabigoon River?
What was the consequence of mercury released by the Ontario pulp and paper mill into the Wabigoon River?
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What are organochlorine pesticides categorized as?
What are organochlorine pesticides categorized as?
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How do Persistent Organic Pollutants travel throughout the environment?
How do Persistent Organic Pollutants travel throughout the environment?
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What was a long-term environmental consequence of the mercury incident in Minamata?
What was a long-term environmental consequence of the mercury incident in Minamata?
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Study Notes
Chemicals of Major Public Health Concern
- The World Health Organization identifies 10 chemicals of major public health concern: air pollution, arsenic, asbestos, benzene, cadmium, dioxin and dioxin-like substances, inadequate or excess fluoride, lead, mercury, and highly hazardous pesticides.
Neurodevelopmental Toxicants Effects on Humans
- Widely used chemicals are known or suspected neurodevelopmental toxicants.
- Associated with serious learning disabilities, loss of intelligence, poor impulse control, developmental delays, hearing impairment, ADHD, and autism, potentially impacting a child's future mental and behavioral health in adulthood.
Mercury
- Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at standard temperature and pressure.
- A naturally occurring, but rare, element in the Earth's crust.
- It has a high surface tension, forming rounded liquid beads.
- The name derives from the Roman god Mercury.
- Mercury and its compounds are highly toxic, historically used as a therapeutic agent in some ways.
What Happens to Mercury in the Environment?
- Mercury is found in air, water, and soil; seldom appears as a silver liquid in the environment.
- It persists in the environment, cycling between air, water, sediments, soil and biota.
- It does not break down in the environment.
- Mercury can travel long distances in the air, evaporate from water, and adhere to soil and sediments.
- Methylmercury, a toxic organic mercury compound, bioaccumulates in plants and fish, concentrating up the food chain.
- Industrial releases contribute to environmental mercury, although industrial air releases have trended down over decades.
- Mercury's transboundary nature requires international cooperation to tackle it effectively.
How Is Mercury Used?
- Industrial processes, such as chlorine production (mercury chlor-alkali plants) for PVC and polyurethane production.
- Artisanal and small-scale gold mining.
- Products such as electrical switches, relays, measuring equipment, fluorescent light bulbs, batteries, dental fillings.
- Laboratories, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals (in some vaccines as preservatives), paints, and jewelry.
What Are the Mercury Human Exposure Sources?
- Industrial processes (coal-fired power stations, residential heating systems, cement production, incineration, metal mining, and non-ferrous metal production) release mercury into the environment.
- Consumption of contaminated fish, shellfish, and marine mammals is the main methylmercury exposure source, especially for those reliant on predatory fish as a protein source.
How Does the Mercury Human Exposure Happen?
- Food (ingestion of contaminated fish/marine life, methylmercury being the most toxic).
- Inhalation (mercury vapor from occupational activities or spills).
- Direct skin contact (from mercury use).
- Dental fillings and cosmetics are the primary sources of skin contact exposure to elemental mercury.
- Some cultures use mercury in traditional medicine or religious practices, while this is not recommended or permitted in the U.S.
Household Items Containing Mercury
- Thermometers (containing about ½ gram of mercury).
- Thermostats (in sealed glass "tilt switches").
- Gauges (barometers, manometers, blood pressure and vacuum gauges with silver liquid).
- Electrical switches and relays (some older appliances).
- Some athletic shoes (made before 1997 with flashing lights).
- Vintage toys and games (drawing screens and mercury maze games).
- Fluorescent, HID, metal halide, high-pressure sodium, and neon lights.
- Some tattoo inks, contact lens solutions, and cosmetics (containing the mercury compound thimerosal).
Cosmetics Containing Mercury Compounds
- Avoid skin creams, beauty and antiseptic soaps, and lotions containing mercury, often marketed as skin lighteners or anti-aging treatments.
- Check product labels for "mercurous chloride," "calomel," "mercuric," "mercurio," or "mercury" to be aware of mercury presence.
Mercury Toxicity
- Mercury is a highly toxic heavy metal impacting human health and the environment.
- Affects the central nervous system, thyroid, kidneys, lungs, immune system, eyes, gums, and skin.
- Symptoms can include memory loss, language impairment, and other complications in neurological development.
- There's no safe exposure level of elemental mercury.
Signs and Symptoms of Mercury Poisoning
- Irritability
- Shyness
- Tremors
- Vision or hearing changes
- Memory problems
- Depression
- Numbness/tingling in hands/feet
Mercury Intoxication
- Mercury intoxication (chronic or acute) is a global environmental health issue.
- Children, babies, and developing fetuses are highly vulnerable to mercury's adverse effects.
- Fetal exposure to high methylmercury levels can cause congenital malformations, cerebral palsy, and neurocognitive issues.
- Neurodevelopmental impacts include mental retardation, congenital malformations, vision/hearing loss, developmental delays, and language disorders.
First Reported Mercury Related Disease
- Minamata Disease: Chisso Corporation's industrial waste releases resulted in mercury contamination of Minamata Bay's fish and shellfish.
- Residents experienced health problems: neurological disorders in newborns, animals' strange behaviors, and an increase in developmental disorders.
Minamata Convention on Mercury
- First global environmental agreement of the 21st century.
- A comprehensive approach to mercury throughout its lifecycle, from mining to waste management.
- Aims to reduce and eliminate mercury use.
Mercury Poisoning - Grassy Narrows (Canada)
- Mercury contamination occurred in the Wabigoon River system from a pulp and paper mill.
- Significant historical mercury exposure continues to affect the Ojibway community's health and culture.
- Recent studies show ongoing health impacts on residents.
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
- POPs are long-lasting, global pollutants.
- They persist in the environment, widely distributed, and bioaccumulate in organisms, especially at higher trophic levels.
- Three main categories: organochlorine pesticides, industrial chemicals (like PCBs), and unintentional byproducts from industrial processes (like PCDDs/PCDFs).
Why Are POPs Dangerous?
- Exceptionally long-lasting.
- Widespread environmental distribution (air, water, soil).
- Bioaccumulation/biomagnification in living organisms.
- Toxic to humans and wildlife.
Distribution of POPs in the Environment
- POPs circulate between different environmental compartments (soil, water, air).
- Absorb to fatty tissues and accumulate, persisting in biota.
- Long half-lives in various environmental mediums.
- Transferred through food webs (bioaccumulation and biomagnification).
Human Exposure to POPs
- Exposure through diet, occupation, fires, burning of waste, accidents, indoors/outdoors.
- Short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic) exposure.
Human Health Effects from POPs
- Exposure from contaminated fatty foods (milk, dairy, fish).
- Potential for placental transfer/breastfeeding transmission.
- Considered endocrine disruptors, negatively impacting the nervous system, and are potential carcinogens.
- Public health and environmental concerns due to POPs' worldwide distribution and persistence.
Dioxin and Dioxin-like Substances
- Dioxins and dioxin-like substances (including PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants.
- Bio-accumulate in food chains.
- Exposure primarily through contaminated food, sometimes in occupational settings.
- PCBs use is diminishing (phase out by 2025), but environmental releases still occur from disposal.
Dioxin and Dioxin-like Substances Toxicity
- Associated with various health issues: chloracne, reproductive/developmental/neurodevelopmental effects, immunotoxicity, carcinogenicity, and thyroid/liver/tooth impacts.
- Unwanted byproducts of combustion and various industrial processes.
Case Study: Chronic Dioxin Poisoning (Vietnam)
- Agent Orange, a herbicide containing dioxin, was sprayed extensively during the Vietnam War.
- Millions of acres were defoliated.
- Responsible chemical companies were unaware of dioxin's toxicity, long-term effects are debatable.
- Red Cross estimates three million affected Vietnamese, including 150,000 children with birth defects.
Case Study: Acute Dioxin Poisoning (Ukraine)
- Dioxin-related skin condition, chloracne.
- Caused by exposure to particular halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon chemicals commonly found in fungicides, insecticides, herbicides, and food preservatives.
Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
- International treaty to eliminate or restrict POP production and use.
- Actions required to reduce POPs emissions/releases. Measures to reduce human exposure: disposal, burning, minimizing contaminants in food and feed, worker exposure management, and environmental monitoring.
E-waste
- Electronic waste (E-waste or WEEE) from discarded electrical/electronic equipment and parts.
- Six categories: temperature exchange equipment, screens, lamps, large equipment, small equipment, IT/telecommunication equipment.
- Each E-waste category has a unique lifetime profile potentially impacting environmental and economic value.
Environmental and Health Hazards of E-waste
- Rapidly increasing global E-waste generation.
- Significant potential health risks from improper handling.
- Hazardous substances (heavy metals and aromatic hydrocarbons) release problems.
- Limited recycling of E-waste (15% formally treated).
- Unprofitable recycling for certain types of E-waste.
The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes
- International convention to protect human health and the environment from hazardous waste.
- Aims to reduce hazardous waste generation, restrict transboundary movements (unless environmentally sound), and regulate permitted transfers.
Rare Earth Elements (REEs)
- A group of 17 elements found in low concentrations in nature, often costly and environmentally challenging to extract, process, and refine.
- Key components in many electronic devices and industrial applications.
- China is a major producer with environmental consequences (water/soil contamination).
REEs Top Countries Producers
- China (major producer, significant environmental issues).
- California's Mountain Pass mine is a U.S. rare earth facility sending concentrates to China.
- Other producers include India, South Africa, Canada, Australia, Estonia, Malaysia, and Brazil.
REEs Applications
- Rechargeable batteries, advanced ceramics, computers, DVD players, wind turbines, catalysts, monitors, televisions, lighting, lasers, fiber optics, superconductors, and glass polishing.
- Critical for electric vehicle motors (neodymium, dysprosium).
- Used in military equipment (night vision devices, jet engines).
REEs in Your Smartphones
- Smartphone production depletes rare earth elements.
- Global smartphone numbers projected to reach 18 billion by 2025.
- Low recycling rates lead to large amounts of e-waste.
- A new smartphone generates significant CO2e emissions during manufacture/first year usage.
How Can You Make a Difference?
- Don't discard electronics in general waste.
- Use established e-waste collections, take-back programs, or recycling facilities.
- Support community electronic recyclers.
- Avoid unnecessary purchases, and extend the life of your electronics.
- Support manufacturers with sustainable technologies and take-back programs.
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