Question : Adverse Health Impact of Electronic Gadgets-e-Waste

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken note of increasing incidents of nausea due to watching fast moving digital images, particularly among the younger generation in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether smart phones, tablets and e-readers having brighter screens adversely impact human body and cause sleeping disorders and if so, the details thereof;

(c) the corrective steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to educate the people and spread awareness in this regard;

(d) whether e-waste is a serious threat to life and health of people in the country and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether the Government has conducted any study/survey in this regard, if so, the details and the outcome thereof along with the corrective measures being taken by the Government in this regard?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)
(a) to (d): Incidents of nausea due to watching fast moving digital images particularly among the younger generation in the country have not been reported, however, e-waste generated due to smart phones, tablets and e-readers is known to contain various heavy metals like Arsenic, Lead, Copper, Chromium etc., which can pose health hazards. Commonly observed effects of such heavy metals on human health can predispose various diseases of the skin, nervous system, kidney and respiratory system.

(e): Government has not conducted any specific study/research on such type of incidences, however various research projects on poisoning by heavy metals were conducted.