41.8 Billion Kg of ‘E-Waste’ Discarded in 2014

U-S, China and Japan top world’s e-waste generators —UNU

The United States was the top generator of electronic waste with 7.07 billion kilograms (kg)  in 2014, followed by China (6.03 billion kg) Japan (2.20 billion kg), Germany and India, according to a research conducted by the UN University (UNU).

The highest per capita e-waste was generated in Norway (28.4 kg, or 62.6 lbs), followed by Switzerland, Iceland, Denmark and the UK.

White goods, including TVs, microwaves, fridges, washers, dryers, toasters, rice cookers, laptops…, made up 60% of the e-waste dumped globally last year. Only 16% of the waste was collected for recycling.

The global dump includes 16 billion kg of iron, 1.9 billion kg of copper and 300 tons of gold, in addition to other precious metals such as palladium. The total worth of the “urban mine” is estimated at $52 billion, said the report.

The waste also contains considerable amounts of hazardous materials such as lead and mercury, which “constitute a ‘toxic mine,'” said David Malone, the U.N. under-secretary-general and dean of UNU.

‘Mystery Disease’ Kills Victims within 24 Hrs

Mysterious disease kills at least 18 in Nigeria

Eighteen people have died after contracting a mysterious disease since it broke out early this week in Ode-Irele town, in southeastern Nigeria, said the Ondo state government spokesperson.

Symptoms of disease include headache, blurred vision and loss of consciousness followed by death, occurring within 24 hours, he said.

Laboratory tests have so far ruled out Ebola and other known viruses, added the official.

Health experts both from Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) and aid agencies, as well as WHO epidemiologists, have arrived in Ode-Irele to investigate the outbreak.

WHO spokesperson told reporters that the victims began showing symptoms between April 13 and 15.