Faculty of Arts
DIGC 102
Methods in Digital Research
Assessment Task 1
Information Search Assignment
The environmental and health impacts
from the dumping of electronic waste in China
Laura Sommer
By The Raw Feed
Task 1
Information Search Assignment
Abstract
The topic researched in this annotated search report is a major political and societal
concern. E waste is fast becoming a global concern as it has surpassed the amount of
typical rubbish dumper each year. However, one major issue is receiving small attention
that could possibly be the beginnings of a global epidemic.
The topic researched is the environmental and health impacts from the dumping of
electronic waste in China.
As a tidal wave of western e waste is being legally and illegally shipped to China, the
actual health detriments of breaking down and recycling these goods is potentially lethal
and all because it is $18 US cheaper to recycle a computer in China than in the US.
Some chemicals they are exposed to are lead, mercury and cadmium and some of the
effects are damage to the nervous system, the reproductive system, the brain and the
kidneys. This concern is shown through the reference list outlined below.
DIGC 102 – Laura Sommer
Reference List
1. Anonymous, 09/03/2010, “Editorial: The E-Waste Monster”, Business Mirror,
accessed 20/03/2010,
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article
&id=22750:editorial-e-waste-monster&catid=28:opinion&Itemid=64
Opinion articles in newspapers are generally kept anonymous, enabling opinions to
be expressed freely and without accountability on the part of the author. This is a
secondary source and holds no academic standing as it is an unreferenced article
based on an individual‟s opinion. This could be used only to express a view put
forward, and later references added to support this view.
2. Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous
Wastes and their Disposal, 02,05/1992, United Nations Treaty, accessed
24/03/2010, http://www.basel.int/text/con-e-rev.pdf
An international treaty to minimise movement of waste and the toxicity levels waste
generate. This is a primary source as it was produced because of the increasing issue of
e waste and the health impacts because of them. It could be incorporated into a report
or in a debate to add legality to claims presented. This is not directly in relation to China
and the health impact of electronic waste but a global over view of the subject and
increasing awareness of the issue.
3. Hicks.C, Dietmar.R, Eugster.M, 2005, 'The recycling and disposal of electronical
and electronic waste in China - legislative and market responses',
Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 25, 5, p459-471, accessed 20/03/10,
http://www.sciencedirect.com/
A refereed, interdisciplinary journal, is based on bringing forth an opinion, producing
fully referenced evidence and reviewing these opinions. This tertiary source would be
used through quotes such as “unprotected removal of printer cartridge toner, the open
incineration of wires to recover copper... and the use of acid baths to retrieve gold...”
The source also introduces various facts and graphs about water contamination, which
would be used to validate opinions put forward.
DIGC 102 – Laura Sommer
4. Huo.X, Peng.L, et al., July 2007, „Evaluated blood lead levels of children in Guiyu,
and electronic waste recycling town in China, Environmental Health Perspectives,
115, 7, p1113- 1117, accessed 23/03/10,
http://ehsehplp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi
%2F10.1289%2Fehp.9697
This research article incorporated research methodologies to study the effects of e-waste
in Guiyu, China. Using observation, statistical analysis, and legitimising findings by
comparing with previous studies. As a combination of a primary source and a tertiary
source it would be used for its original findings in quotation and graphs used, also as a
referenced source.
5. Journeyman Pictures, (uploaded) 22/10/2007, “Electronic trash village –China”,
accessed 17/03/10, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHTWRYXy2gE
A secondary source, from a user-generated content site could be used in a research
report through the images shown to describe the environment and the conditions along
with the process of recycling. It could also be used as a primary source by incorporating
firsthand accounts from locals. Quotes such as, “I‟m actually worried about my health
but I need to make money, what more can I do”, would exemplify points made.
6. Li.Y, Xu.X, et al., 2008, “The hazard of chromium exposure to neonates in Guiyu
of China”, Science of the total environment, 403, 1-3, p99-104, accessed
23/03/2010, http://www.sciencedirect.com
Similar to other academic journals it is similar style, presentation and content. Peer –
reviewed, it would be useful in a debate on the subject because of its scientific approach
to its research and findings, with them also being used as evidence in a report.
7. Puckett.J, Byster.L, et al, 2002, “Exporting Harm – The High Tech Trashing of
Asia”, Basel Action Network, Seattle, accessed 25/03/2010,
http://www.ban.org/E-waste/technotrashfinalcomp.pdf
“Exporting Harm” is an e-book that has a myriad of contributors and is an edited
compilation of their work. It is a tertiary source, which is an assemblage of factual
evidence, opinions, and conclusions on the subject. This text would be best used in
research for its use of references, tables and quotes, mainly found from pages 15 to 22
in the chapter “China the Story of Guiyu”.
DIGC 102 – Laura Sommer
8. SMH, 22/03.2010, “China, India adding to e-waste timebomb: UN”, The Sydney
Morning Herald, accessed 25/03/2010, http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-
world/china-india-adding-to-ewaste-timebomb-un-20100222-orvo.html
Newspaper articles such as this are used to obtain small snippets of information as an
outline. Being a credited newspaper and relaying current events and issues, it can be a
starting point in information research by using the references for further investigation
and deepening the research.
9. Time, “China‟s Electronic Waste Village‟ accessed 23/03/2010,
http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1870162_1822150,00.html
A photographic report by Time, connected with CNN, visually depicts the issue. A
secondary source that is similar to an editorial as it is un-sourced in its opinions, though
emotively paints a picture for the viewer. This would be used only to illustrate a point in
a report or gather background information.
10. World Health Organisations, 2008, “China”, accessed 24/03/2010,
http://www.who.int/countries/chn/en/
A statistical based web site, it is a primary source as it is a collaboration of statistics
from surveys and demographic observation. The information presented could be used to
present the current health of China or track trends.
DIGC 102 – Laura Sommer
