Lagos State Waste Management Agency (Lawma) has taken measures to ensure effective management of electronic waste’ a loose category of surplus, obsolete, broken, or discarded electrical or electronic devices around the Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek investigations have revealed.
This is a pragmatic response by the state government on the heels of report by Greenpeace International, an environment conscious organization that electronic wastes such as old television sets and computer systems with toxic substances are being shipped illegally to Nigeria.
So with the support of The World Bank, Lawma plans to launch an e-Waste management initiative to curtail effects of the dumping of hazardous electronic waste in the state.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek learnt when the initiative is launched; electronic waste from offices and other target areas will be well sorted out and disposed differently because they contain lead, mercury and other heavy metals, which are hazardous to the environment and human health.
For instance, lead can cause damage to both the central and peripheral nervous systems and the kidneys. It can also cause damage to the blood system. The effects of lead to the endocrine system have also been observed and its serious negative effects on the development of the brain in children have been well documented.
