3.2M
Tonnes of e-waste generated in India per year
95%
Handled by the unregulated informal sector initially
4.5×
Higher cancer risk among informal e-waste workers
#3
India is the world's 3rd largest e-waste producer
E-waste hotspot zones · India
Seelampur, Delhi
~50,000 workers
High risk
Dharavi, Mumbai
~25,000 workers
High risk
Bangalore
~18,000 workers
High risk
Hyderabad
~15,000 workers
High risk
Kolkata
~12,000 workers
High risk
Moradabad, UP
~8,000 workers
High risk
Live health metrics
Air quality · PM2.5 (µg/m³)
340
WHO safe limit is 15 µg/m³ — currently 22× over the limit
PPE coverage
4%
Almost no workers use gloves, masks, or protective suits
Child labour rate
~35%
Children under 14 directly handling toxic e-waste materials
Disease risk index
Critical
Lead, mercury & cadmium exposure — linked to organ failure
Workforce composition
Mix of adults and children, no PPE
Recycling process (Click to expand)
Health Impact by Toxic Material
🔴 Lead (Pb)
Found in CRT glass & solder. Causes irreversible cognitive deficits in children and
kidney failure.
🔵 Mercury (Hg)
In fluorescent tubes. Leads to neurological damage, tremors, and respiratory
failures.
🟠 Cadmium (Cd)
In older batteries. Accumulates in kidneys causing irreversible renal toxicity & bone
softening.
🟡 Brominated Flame Retardants
In plastics. Disrupts endocrine/thyroid function and increases cancer risk when open
burned.
Key issues to discuss
Child labour
In informal e-waste zones like Seelampur, children as young as 6 work alongside
adults. They manually dismantle boards, burn cables, and handle acid baths. Their developing bodies are
highly vulnerable.
~35% of workers are minors
Lack of PPE
PPE is almost entirely absent informally. Workers perform acid leaching with bare
hands. The cost (~₹500/month) is cited as the barrier, yet lifetime medical costs of toxic exposure run into
lakhs.
Less than 4% PPE usage
Air quality exposure
Open burning releases dioxins, furans, and lead particles directly into the dense
neighbourhoods. PM2.5 levels are 15–22× the WHO safe limit. Residents within 1km radius are heavily
affected.
PM2.5 up to 340 µg/m³
India E-Waste Regulations Timeline
2011
2016
2018
2023
2011: E-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules introduced. First recognition of Extended
Producer Responsibility (EPR) in India.
Knowledge Check: E-Waste Health Facts
1. What percentage of India's e-waste is handled by the informal sector initially?
2. Which toxic element commonly found in CRT glass and solder causes severe
cognitive deficits in children?
3. The PM2.5 air quality in informal e-waste hubs can exceed WHO safe limits by how
much?