Yes, E-waste contains hazardous substances such as lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), brominated flame retardants (BFRs), etc.

E-waste can cause health risks and damage to the environment if it is opened up and attempts are made to retrieve useful components or materials in an unscientific manner, or if the material is disposed of in the open. The electronic and electrical equipment (EEE) after their useful life may not cause any harm if stored safely in households/stores. The electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) have valuable materials and hazardous/toxics substances in their components. E-Waste can be considered as a resource that contains useful material of economic benefit for recovery of plastics, iron, glass, aluminum, copper and precious metals such as silver, gold, platinum, and palladium and lead, cadmium, mercury etc. However, at the same time presence of heavy metals (As, Cd, Hg, Pb etc.) and other toxic substances such as Polychlorinated Bi-phenyls (PCBs), etched chemicals, etc. may pose risk to health and environment during handling and recovery operations.

The management of E-Waste in India is presently regulated under E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. Further the Rules are effective from 01-04- 2023. Rules are available at CPCB’s website.