Public Cognizance of E-waste Effects on Human Health and Environment: Evidence from Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

The negative effects of electronic waste (e-waste) on the environment and human health are globally acknowledged. Across the world, developing countries in Asia are the most vulnerable countries in hosting e-waste. Informal recycling and crude processing of e-waste cause environmental degradation and harm human health. Therefore, the study analyzes public awareness about e-waste effects on human health and the environment using a logit model with a mean comparison of variables based on primary data of 312 respondents. Meanwhile, the study notifies the correlation of e-waste generation with gross domestic product (GDP), population, and electrical & electronic equipment (EEE) put in the Pakistani market. Moreover, the study discusses other pollutants putting a burden on human lives and the environment in Pakistan. Lastly, we provide a brief overview of the study’s implications on both theory and practical applications while emphasizing key areas for future research work.