Computing Waste Lacks Special Treatment in Costa Rica.

There is an estimated 13,000 tons of computing waste piling up in Costa Rica, which is a direct danger to the environment. Unless it is treated, this can become a menace to the human population as well. Monitors, scanners, filters, USB cords, digital cameras, batteries, fax machines, batteries and cellular phones are only some of the products that are usually thrown away without receiving any kind of special treatment. They contain lead, acid lead, mercury and cadmium, all exceedingly harmful to humans and the environment. Despite this fact, representatives from the Health Ministry admitted that there are no existing collection or treatment programs for this kind of trash.

Many of the toxic substances found in these wastes are carcinogenic and can affect vital organs such as the brain, kidneys and liver. Manganese can lead to cerebral tumors, as well as damages to the bone marrow and provokes serious diminution of the white cells in the blood. Indirectly, the toxins affect us when they enter the air, the water and the ground, finding their way into rivers, pastures, farms and rubbish dumps without any kind of treatment. Heavy metals accumulated in the blood are indeed associated with diseases such as anemia, cerebral diseases and kidney damage, to mention just a few.

A new decree promises to bring new solutions, as well as the establishment of environmental awareness, responsibility and care. There is a plan to keep track of all the products that are imported into the country in order to prepare for the future and proper disposal of such products once their life span is over, which is about 4 years on average.

It is hoped that eventually, a collection program will be established for the waste that needs to be dealt with in order to either treat it before getting rid of it, or in most cases, recycle it. This also means that the population will have to take on a responsible attitude by calling on the experts instead of throwing away their old computers, cellular phones and any other electronic waste carelessly.

Although all this seems to be simple enough, we know that it will probably be a decade before the public changes their attitude and bad habits. Sadly, many still do not care, however usually it is a great lack of awareness and education that is the main culprit. Again, this kind of education has to start at school; the younger and future generations will grow up in this electronic world, and they will need to know how to deal with its consequences.

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Filed under: Costa Rica News on May 20th, 2008