Invisible Scars: E-Waste Workers Face Health Dangers

Mateen Malik, a young worker in New Delhi, exemplifies the perilous reality of India's informal e-waste sector. Inside cramped workshops, workers like Malik dismantle discarded electronics, often using blow torches that release toxic fumes, leading to burns and chronic illnesses. This hazardous work is their livelihood, with meager daily earnings for 12-hour shifts lacking any protective gear. India ranks third globally in e-waste generation, with its volume rising significantly. Approximately 979,000 metric tonnes were recycled in 2025-2026, a period when over 1.4 million metric tonnes were generated. New Delhi alone contributes about 230,000 metric tonnes annually.

The informal sector, comprising scrap dealers and backyard dismantlers, handles nearly 95 percent of the nation's e-waste. Workers, including women who often earn less, suffer cuts and infections. The proximity of living and working spaces exposes entire families, especially children, to toxins like lead, impacting neurological development and overall health. Despite national laws, the informal sector largely operates unchecked, with only about 10 percent of workers using personal protective equipment due to cost and discomfort.

Experts advocate for integrating these informal workers into the formal economy, providing workspaces, policy support, and training. While official e-waste recyclers are few, the informal network remains indispensable for managing discarded electronics. There is a call for stricter controls on dismantling and metal recovery processes, ensuring environmental safety and improved worker conditions, allowing them to remain part of the e-waste management system.