E-Waste in India: Health Hazards and Policy Imperatives

India has witnessed a rapid digital transformation, increasing dependence on electronic devices.
Consequently, e-waste generation has surged, creating serious environmental and public health challenges.
In 2025, India generated 2.2 million tonnes (MT) of e-waste, becoming the third-largest e-waste generator globally, after China and the United States.
Despite having formal recycling capacity, more than 50% of e-waste is still handled informally by scrap dealers and kabadiwalas, exposing workers and communities to serious health hazards.

150% increase in e-waste since 2017–18, from 0.71 MT to 2.2 MT in 2025.
65 cities contribute 60% of total e-waste, including hotspots like Seelampur (Delhi), Moradabad (U.P.), and Bhiwandi (Maharashtra).
322 formal recycling units exist with an annual capacity of 2.2 MT, yet over half of e-waste remains in informal chains.

1. Respiratory Illnesses

Open-air burning and acid treatment release fine particulate matter.
2025 MDPI study: 76–80% of informal e-waste workers suffered from chronic bronchitis and asthma.

2. Neurological Damage

Exposure to heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium) affects brain development in children.
2023 Frontiers in Public Health review: blood lead levels ≥5 µg/dL linked to cognitive decline and behavioral disorders.

3. Skin and Ocular Disorders

Direct contact with e-waste causes rashes, burns, dermatitis, and eye irritation.
2024 review: up to 100% of informal recyclers in certain clusters experienced skin problems.

4. Genetic and Systemic Impacts

Long-term exposure results in DNA damage, oxidative stress, and endocrine disruption.
WHO report: 18 million children globally live or work in e-waste zones, many in India.

5. Syndemic Effects

Health risks are compounded by poverty, malnutrition, and poor housing, disproportionately affecting the urban poor.
Informal recycling hubs report higher rates of miscarriages and preterm births (similar trends observed in Guiyu, China).

Strengthened EPR Norms (2022 Rules): Producers are responsible for collection and recycling of e-waste.
Mandatory Registration: Dismantlers and recyclers must register to curb unsafe and illegal practices.
Incentives for Formalisation: Policies encourage transition from informal to formal recycling units with compliance-linked benefits.
Persistent Gaps: Only 43% of e-waste was formally processed in 2023–24; disputes over EPR credit caps hinder enforcement.

Formalise Informal Sector: Train kabadiwalas, provide PPE, healthcare, and social security, protecting livelihoods while enforcing safe recycling.
Strengthen Enforcement: Implement digital tracking, periodic audits, and empower Pollution Control Boards to act against unsafe units.
Medical Surveillance: Organise regular health camps, baseline studies, and long-term monitoring in e-waste hotspots.
Promote Innovation: Support R&D for affordable, local recycling technologies and decentralised recycling hubs to reduce transport costs and increase efficiency.
Awareness Building: Integrate e-waste education in school curricula and conduct public campaigns to promote responsible disposal.

India’s digital progress cannot come at the cost of human health and environmental safety.
Systemic reforms combining science, justice, and innovation are essential to protect workers, children, and ecosystems.
Only through safe, inclusive, and sustainable e-waste management can digital empowerment contribute to equitable and resilient growth.