US dumps electronic waste on India

Although importing used computers is prohibited by the government, they can arrive as "donations" or "charity," according to the report. People scavenge the computers for

working parts and precious metals, but hazardous substances such as lead, cadmium and mercury can end up in landfills.

Recycling of e-waste is an underground industry, operating at night and frequently shifting locations to avoid government detection. While industry and the environment ministry acknowledged the report as an "eye-opener," a survey by the Central Pollution Control Board of about 10 areas in New Delhi reported "absolutely no rading/ reprocessing of imported e-waste was observed."

The Manufacturers Association for Information Technology (MAIT) has said that e-waste is a problem of developed countries. "In India where the personal computer penetration is nine per 1,000, this is not a problem," said Vinnie Mehta, head of MAIT. "But India and China could be potential grounds for dumping," he added. Source: Sify News