| An astonishing number of people own and use a | | | | remain. As many elements do not decompose, |
| cell phone (celular), with current figures | | | | the level of harmful toxins increases and so |
| totaling over 800 million worldwide. It has | | | | does the potential damage. Lithium can burn |
| has become an important part of daily life, | | | | with water exposure, and so can potentially |
| and improves business and travel | | | | begin underground fires when present in large |
| opportunities, whilst providing the best | | | | quantities. Any of the hazardous or poisonous |
| possible level of communication across the | | | | substances could contaminate local water |
| globe. However, the high numbers of users are | | | | supplies or the nearby soil. If either of |
| also subject to changing trends for a number | | | | these is affected than the toxins enter the |
| of reasons including improved features, | | | | food chain with terrible results. In effect, |
| fashion and accessories. This means that | | | | incorrect disposal of the cell phone |
| upgrades are a regular occurrence, with each | | | | (celular) can create a form of poisoning. The |
| device being used for an estimated 12 to 18 | | | | immediate effects include health problems |
| months. This means that there is a lot of | | | | such as genetic or reproductive defects and |
| cell phone waste. Many users are not aware of | | | | detrimental effects upon the nervous system |
| the potential damage to the environment that | | | | and delayed general development. The long |
| incorrect disposal of cell phones (celular) | | | | term effect is global pollution. When waste |
| can cause. Incorrect disposal means throwing | | | | that can not be broken down properly such as |
| any cell phone away, which is the typical | | | | that in a cell phone (celular) is decomposing |
| fate assigned to an unwanted device. However, | | | | it creates methane gas. Methane gas is more |
| components within it can have a terrible | | | | damaging than CO2 and so has major impact on |
| impact on the environment and so need special | | | | global warming. Not many people realize that |
| disposal. All cell phones (celular) contain | | | | all this can be caused by disposing it in an |
| persistent metals which do not degrade in the | | | | incorrect manner. The best way to combat cell |
| environment. They also contain | | | | phone (celular) damage to the environment is |
| bioaccumulative metals which become toxic | | | | to recycle it by returning it to a shop. This |
| over period of time. For instance, cadmium | | | | includes the accessories also. Some shops |
| which is present in a cell phone (celular) is | | | | will ensure the product is sent to developing |
| significant enough to cause damage in small | | | | countries for reuse. Others will reclaim the |
| doses. It is the seventh most harmful known | | | | metal parts to prevent them going into a |
| chemical, and is capable of causing cancer. | | | | landfill. Some cell phone companies even make |
| Cell phones also contain lead which causes | | | | a charity donation for every recycled device |
| liver damage in adults and neurological | | | | to encourage the practice. The other |
| development problems in children when entered | | | | possibility is that they will ensure the |
| into the bloodstream. Other hazardous | | | | product is sent for proper disposal. This |
| substances such as nickel and mercury provide | | | | includes disposal of hazardous materials. |
| further cause for concern. If not disposed of | | | | Whichever option is used, the positive side |
| properly, the metals from the cell phone | | | | effect is that less hazardous waste goes into |
| (celular) can leak into the environment | | | | the environment. Now that you know the facts, |
| through corrosion and cause a series of | | | | make sure that you dispose of your cell phone |
| problems in the environment. If thrown away, | | | | (celular) properly and remain environmentally |
| it will go to a landfill where it will | | | | sound with this one simple gesture. |