Due to improper/indiscriminate disposal of old and used computers or their parts, which of the following are released into the environment as e-waste?
1. Beryllium
2. Cadmium
3. Chromium
4. Heptachlor
5. Mercury
6. Lead
7. Plutonium
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Correct Answer: Option B
Explanation
1. E-waste refers to discarded electrical or electronic devices, including old and used computers and their parts.
2. Improper or indiscriminate disposal (like dumping in landfills or informal recycling) can lead to the release of hazardous substances into the environment.
3. Beryllium (1) is found in motherboards and connectors.
4. Cadmium (2) is used in rechargeable computer batteries, semiconductor chips, and older CRT monitors.
5. Chromium (specifically Hexavalent Chromium) (3) is used as corrosion protection in steel housings and in data tapes.
6. Heptachlor (4) is an organochlorine pesticide and is not typically a component of electronic devices like computers.
7. Mercury (5) is found in switches, relays, and fluorescent lamps used in flat-panel displays.
8. Lead (6) is a major component of solder used on printed circuit boards and in CRT monitor glass.
9. Plutonium (7) is a radioactive element used primarily in nuclear reactors and weapons; it is not found in consumer electronics like computers.
10. Therefore, the substances released into the environment as e-waste from computers typically include Beryllium (1), Cadmium (2), Chromium (3), Mercury (5), and Lead (6).
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