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. One of the major issues concerning electronic waste is receiving small attention
that could possibly be the beginnings of a global epidemic.
The topic researched is the health impacts of dumping electronic waste in China.
The health detriments of breaking down and recycling e waste goods are potentially
lethal. Some chemicals they are exposed to are lead, mercury and cadmium with some
of the effects damaging 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
Anonymous opinion articles in newspapers enable personal views to be expressed freely
and without liability. As a secondary source it holds no academic standing as it is
unreferenced. 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
This international treaty is a primary source, produced due to the increasing issue of e
waste and the health impacts caused by them. It could be incorporated into a report or
in a debate to add legality to claims presented. Not in direct relation to China and the
health impacts of electronic waste but a global overview of the subject.
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 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.
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 article incorporated research methodologies such as observation, statistical analysis,
and legitimises findings by comparing it 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.
DIGC 102 – Laura Sommer
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 images shown to describe the environment and the conditions. 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 in style, presentation and content, it is 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
An e-book that has a myriad of contributors and is an edited compilation of their work,
as a tertiary source, it incorporates 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.
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
This would be used to obtain small snippets of information as an outline. Being a
credited newspaper, 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, visually depicts the issue. Similar to an editorial it is un-
sourced in its opinions, though emotively paints a picture. This would be used only to
illustrate a point in a report or gather background information.
DIGC 102 – Laura Sommer
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 for its 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
