Electronics effects on Society

Electronic cigarette helps people stop smoking

If you are one of the millions of Americans each year who try to quit smoking, you know there are many tools out there to help you kick the habit. Tools like hypnosis, patches, prescription pills, just to name a few, are available to help break the cycle of dependence. One of the options out there that many of you have probably never heard of, is an electronic cigarette.

At first glance, images may come to mind that this device may be some kind of shock therapy device. In actuality, however, the electronic cigarette is a battery powered atomizer. When it is placed in the mouth, a small processor detects airflow and injects a small amount of fluid from a propylene glycol/nicotine cartridge into the atomizer which vaporizes the liquid. In essence, the electronic cigarette looks and behaves like a regular cigarette but delivers nicotine without dangerous by-products such as arsenic, carbon monoxide and tar.

By simulating normal smoking, without the harmful side effects, the electronic cigarette could be a stepping stone to a successfully quit smoking program. The electronic cigarette goes for $59.95 and includes the cigarette, 2 batteries, charger and 6 cartridges of varying nicotine strength. Each cartridge lasts as long as ten regular cigarettes and replacements are only $1 a piece

Effects of Electronic Media on Democratic Attitudes

In weighing the benefits and detriments of the effects of electronic media on democratic attitudes, it would appear that the bad transcends the good. There appears to be some gains in political knowledge and efficacy among segments of the public, particularly those who have regular experiences with the most populist and interactive forms of media. However, the audience profile for talk radio and online media users, especially, indicates that these are people from the higher economic and educational echelons who already are politically engaged in other ways. The "new media" environment does little to reach those whose political voice is muffled.

More troubling is the evidence that the current media environment appears to undermine citizens' faith in government officials and political institutions, as well as, in the democratic political process. This trend is suggested for both young people and adults. While it is important, indeed essential, for citizens to maintain a healthy skepticism about government to assure that officials do not abuse power, unbridled cynicism is detrimental to democracy. That this cynicism is couched in terms of the politics of scandal as presented by mass media is cause for concern.

Health Effects of Electronic waste

There are several health issues associated with the toxins found in the electronic waste generated by obsolete computers and other electronic equipment. A report by Environmental Media Services (2003) stated that electronic products often contain hazardous materials, including lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium. The report further stated that when disposed of with other household garbage, the toxics electronics contain pose an environmental health threat by entering the air though incinerator ash or water sources through landfill leachate.

According to the Californians Against Waste 2002 update of its report entitled, “Poison PCs and Toxic TVs”, lead was ranked as the number one most hazardous substance on the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Persistent, Bioaccumulative Toxins (PBT) list. Computer monitors contain 6.3% lead and an EPA study showed that 40% of the lead in US landfills is from discarded electronic products. Lead that accumulates in the environment has highly acute and chronic toxic effects on plants, animals and microorganisms (Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition (SVTC), 2003). Lead can lead to numerous harmful health effects in humans, including decreased growth, hyperactivity, impaired hearing, and brain damage (see list) . It tends to be stored primarily in the bones, but is particularly toxic to the reproductive system, nervous system, the blood and the kidneys. Children’s brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead (Californians Against Waste: Poison PCs and Toxic TVs: 2002 update).  

Cadmium and mercury, toxic e-waste components, were characterized by an SVTC (2003) report as posing a risk of irreversible health effects in humans. That report further noted that cadmium can easily be accumulated in the human body due to its long half-life of 30 years. It tends to accumulate in the kidneys and can be absorbed through respiration or with food and can cause symptoms of poisoning. It also has the potential to cause harmful effects to the environment due to its high toxicity. The SVTC report also stated that mercury can cause chronic damage to the human brain and may be concentrated in the food chain via fish that have accumulated mercury that spread into the water supply.

The SVTC’s recent article entitled, “Just Say No To E-Waste” (2003) lists several hazardous consequences of disposing of computers through incineration, landfills, and even recycling. It states that incineration is particularly dangerous because of the variety of chemicals being burned simultaneously. The SVTC also states that even the best, most modern landfills will produce a certain amount of chemical and metal leaching. Recycling e-waste has also been found to provide little environmental benefit because it simply changes the hazardous materials into secondary products that must still be disposed of somehow. 

Another way that e-waste is disposed of that causes health issues is through exportation to underdeveloped countries. A report documenting these practices was recently done in partnership with the SVTC, Basel Action Network (BAN), and Toxics Link (India). The report, entitled Exporting Harm: The High-Tech Trashing of Asia (2002), documents that electronic scrap from the US is shipped to such countries as China, Pakistan, and India, where family-based businesses have formed to recycle the waste by hand with no protective gear. In 2002, laborers in a Chinese village were paid $1.50 a day and they have already experienced environmental and health impacts as a result of the e-waste processing. The drinking water becomes contaminated as a result of glass and cathode ray tubes (which contain lead) being pushed into the rivers. Because the groundwater is so badly polluted, water has had to be trucked in from other regions. When laborers in these countries incinerate the waste with no protective equipment or clothing, they inhale the polluted air and become physically weak as a result. The SVTC performed a pilot study that estimated that it is 10 times less costly to ship computer monitors to China that it is to recycle them in the U.S. While much of the world has banned the process of exporting hazardous materials, as of April 2003, the US had not yet ratified the agreement

The effects of electronic mail on communication

A study was done during 1991-1992 to determine the perceived impact of electronic mail (E-mail) relative to other forms of communication in health sciences institutions. E-mail subscribers at two major health sciences institutions were sent 2919 surveys, and 823 (28%) completed survey instruments were returned. A significant positive impact of E-mail was found relative to other forms of communication (e.g., paper, phone) with regard to E-mail messaging, response rates, influence, value, formality, perceptions, errors in communication, cost-effectiveness, communication style, and other factors. Areas where no differences were found between communication mechanisms were also revealing. Technical problems, maintenance, and confidentiality of E-mail messaging were not found to be significant problems. Trends, value, and impact of E-mail use in health sciences institutions are also discussed.