Analysis of samples taken from industrial estates in China,
Mexico, the Philippines and Thailand, reveals the release of
hazardous chemicals in each of the three sectors investigated:
printed wiring board (PWB) manufacture, semiconductor chip
manufacture and component assembly (2). Most noteworthy was the
discovery at the majority of sites investigated of highly toxic
polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a group of brominated
chemicals used as flame retardants, and of phthalates, chemicals
used in a wide range of processes and materials (3).
"Our findings of contamination arising during the manufacturing
stage make it clear that the "clean" image needs to be investigated
before it is too late" , said Dr. Kevin Brigden from the Greenpeace
Research Laboratories
The electronics industry is truly global with individual
components manufactured at specialized facilities around the world,
often involving highly resource and chemical intensive processes.
These processes generate hazardous wastes, the fate and effects of
which are still very poorly documented.
The Greenpeace study documents the contamination of groundwater
aquifers at a number of sites, particularly around semiconductor
manufacturers, with toxic chlorinated volatile organic chemicals
(VOCs) and toxic metals including nickel. Contamination of
groundwater is of particular concern, since local communities in
many places use groundwater for drinking purposes. One sample
contained tetrachloroethene at 9 times above the WHO guidance
values for exposure limits and 70 times the US Environmental
Protection Agency maximum contaminant level for drinking water.
Elevated levels of metals, particularly copper, nickel and zinc,
were also found in groundwater samples in some sites (4). The use
of such toxic chemicals in manufacturing processes also poses
potential health risks to workers through exposure.
India is now witnessing an explosive consumption of electronic
goods and equipments, and is on its way to becoming the destination
of choice for electronics manufacturing. According to a recent
Frost and Sullivan study, the consumption of electronic equipment
in the country would rise to $363 billion by 2015 from $28.2
billion in 2005 at a compound annual growth rate of 29.8 percent.
The Indian electronics equipment production grew at 25 percent in
2005 and is expected to reach a growth rate of 50 percent in
2010.
"As India gears up to become the destination of choice for
electronics manufacturing, it is imperative that it pays heed to
the alarm bells being sounded on the environmental and human health
front. It is time the IT Ministry in India realized its
responsibility to regulate the toxic impact of this industry hand
in hand with promoting its growth", said Vinuta Gopal, Toxics
Campaigner, Greenpeace India
"In fact, even as Governments worldwide, including China,
recognize that toxic contamination from e-waste is a looming
environmental disaster, and enforce phase-out of toxic
chemicals(5), India does nothing. This inaction on the part of the
Government is nothing short of shocking, the IT Ministry and
Ministry of Environment and Forests are abdicating their
responsibilities", she concluded.
For further information, contact
Vinuta Gopal, Greenpeace India Toxics Campaigner, +91 98455 35418, 
Ruchira Talukdar, Greenpeace India Communications, +91 99002 64127, 
Dr. Kevin Brigden, Greenpeace Research Laboratories in Exeter, +44 7968 844906
IMAGES AND VIDEO:
Ruchira Talukdar, Greenpeace India Communications, +91 99002 64127,
Notes to Editor
1. Online version available at: www.greenpeace.org/electronicsproductionreport
2. The report analyses samples taken from: IBM, HP, Intel, Sony and Sanyo, Fortune, Compeq, Elec&Eltek;, CKL Electronics, KCE, PCTT, On Semicon (also known as on Semiconductor), Kemet, Flextronics, Jabil, Solectron, and Sanmina; and industrial estates where some of these are situated: Navanakorn, Hi-Tech, Rojana, Gateway Business Park, Cavite Export Processing Zone (CEPZA)
3. PBDEs and many phthalates are known to be toxic, and some are also persistent in the environment. Certain PBDEs are highly bioaccumulative (able to build up to high concentrations in
animals and humans).
4. Copper and Nickel are widely used in the PWB manufacture of electronics. Effects from copper to aquatic life can occur at very low levels including reduction in growth and fertility rate. Ingestion of some nickel compounds can cause toxic effects in humans and animals.
5. On the first of July 2006, RoHS (Restriction on certain Hazardous Substances) a European directive, came into effect, banning the use of six deadly chemicals in electrical and electronic products. Japan, certain states in the US have already phased out these chemicals while even China, has promulgated RoHS-like legislation that comes into effect from March this year. India has so far not moved on ANY legislation that focuses on the Electronics industry.