E-Wastes
The past few decades have witnessed amazing advancement in technology, especially in the field of electronics. Despite the remarkable facilities offered by these advances, they have given birth to a new type of hazardous waste, called e-waste. E-waste, containing numerous poisonous wastes, makes hazardous impacts and renders recycling problems.
Electronic waste, or e-waste, is any broken or unwanted electronic device or appliance; sometimes, it is also called WEEE—waste from electrical and electronic equipment. Discarded computers, monitors, televisions, printers, scanners, fax machines, mice, keyboards, CD players, digital cameras, walkie-talkies and cell phones form the major chunk of e-waste.
It has been estimated that around 50 million tons of electronic products are discarded annually around the world. Most of the electronic wastes are produced by developed nations, which are later exported to developing countries for disposal Since the government regulations are absent or are not enforced in these third world countries, the used electronic products are often easily accessible to the general public, who are exposed to health hazards associated with e-wastes.
The primary concern with e-wastes is the hazardous content they carry. Studies indicate that more than 1000 chemicals including PVC plastics and various types of gases are used for manufacturing electronic products and their components. For instance, computer monitors typically contain lead, a heavy metal known for causing brain damage among children.
Similar to monitors, flat panel TVs contain large amounts of mercury, which is likely to cause cancer. Switches and batteries contain cadmium and nickel, which are harmful to humans, animals and plants. Metal housing and joints, often coated with chromium corrosion protector (镀铬防护层)， cause damage to liver and kidney. Similarly, beryllium (铍） dust generated from relays, connectors and motherboards are highly poisonous to humans.
The waste management of electronic appliances is complicated, primarily because most of the countries are not able to recycle more than 20 percent of the e-waste they generate. The leading reason for this low rate of recycling is the lack of information and initiative on part of the consumers. In addition, in many parts of the world, tons of electronic waste is discarded in illegal dump sites, where no waste monitoring system exists.
The extensive variety of the materials involved in electronic appliances also makes the sorting tedious, thereby rendering the e-waste recycling business less effective. The problem can only be resolved-by adopting improved recycling solutions and generating public drive for e-waste recycling.
E-waste represents one of the most diverse mixtures of the waste categories. Increasing at an alarming rate, e-wastes pose serious health hazards to humans and wild life. Consumer awareness and commitment are necessary for controlling the problem. Technological advances such as clean computers and appliances are also beneficial since they can address the problem at root.【正确答案】：
I. INTRODUCTION: (PARAGRAPH 1)
A. TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENT AND THE BIRTH OF E-WASTE
B. THESIS: E-WASTE MAKES HAZARDOUS IMPACTS AND RENDERS RECYCLING PROBLEMS.
II. E-WASTE AND ITS CURRENT SITUATION (PARAGRAPH 2-3)
A. DEFINITION: BROKEN OR UNWANTED ELECTRONIC DEVICE OR APPLIANCE
B. DISPOSAL OF E-WASTES THREATENING DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
III. HAZARDOUS CONTENT OF E-WASTES (PARAGRAPH 4-5)
IV. PROBLEMS WITH E-WASTE MANAGEMENT (PARAGRAPH 6-7)
A. LOW RATE OF RECYCLING AND ITS REASON
B. LESS EFFECTIVE SORTING AND THE WAYS TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM
V. CONCLUSION: NEED FOR CONSUMER AWARENESS AND CLEAN APPLIANCES (PARAGRAPH 8)
【题目解析】：本文为一篇说明文，介绍了电子垃圾。第一段介绍了电子垃圾的产生和危害，最后一句话是主旨句。I. Introduction: (Paragraph 1) A. Technology advancement and the birth of e-waste B. Thesis: E-waste makes hazardous impacts and renders recycling problems. 第2-3段分别介绍了电子垃圾的定义和现状。II. E-waste and its current situation (Paragraph 2-3) A. Definition: broken or unwanted electronic device or appliance B. Disposal of e-wastes threatening developing countries第4-5段说明了电子垃圾中包含的有害成分III. Hazardous content of e-wastes (Paragraph 4-5)第6-7段介绍了电子垃圾管理方面存在的问题IV. Problems with e-waste management (Paragraph 6-7) A. Low rate of recycling and its reason B. Less effective sorting and the ways to resolve the problem最后一段为总结段，要想解决电子垃圾，需要提高消费者意识额更加清洁的电子产品V. Conclusion: Need for consumer awareness and clean appliances (Paragraph 8)