Oct 07, 2018 09:00:00

Sumaho is closely related to global environmental problems and poor labor

by Matt Madd

A variety of state-of-the-art technologies have been introduced to smartphones used around the world, and a lot of resources are used to realize functions convenient for users. A movie that describes the problems of such smartphone is published on YouTube.

What's a smartphone made of ?? - Kim Preshoff

As of 2018, there are over 2.5 billion smartphone users around the world.

Although each is a smartphone that is large enough to fit in the hands, when all the smartphones existing all over the world are combined, the amount of resources that make up the main body becomes huge.

Together with smartphones all over the world, the amount of gold used is 85,000 kg.

The silver is 875,000 kg ... ...

It seems that 40 million kg of copper is being used.

In fact, gold, silver and copper occupy only a fraction of the smartphone, and over 70 chemical elements are used for the average smartphone.

These resources can be divided into two groups: " rare earth element (rare earth)" and " precious metal ".

Rare earth is a collective term for a total of 17 elements, and it is an element contained in the crust of the world at low concentration.

Some rare earths exhibit characteristics such as magnetic materials and electric conductors ... ...

It is essential to the technology that makes up smartphone. In fact, 16 kinds of rare earths are used for smartphones and other electronic devices for various purposes.

For smartphones, color displays and ...

Rare earth is used to mount functions such as vibration.

However, removing the rare earth from the earth will have an adverse effect on the earth.

Although rare earths are contained in the crust of the world, it is economically impossible to extract them because of their low concentration.

Generally speaking, in order to obtain rare earths, a method of digging the ground so as to wind a vortex from the surface of the earth without digging the tunnel called " open pit " is taken ...

Open pit will adversely affect vast land.

It also causes air and water pollution ... ...

It will adversely affect neighboring communities.

Another group of precious metals can have similar adverse effects on the Earth. Groups of precious metals include gold, copper, silver, lead , aluminum , platinum, etc ... ...

As with rare earths, it has been pointed out that it will have a huge impact on the earth to a large extent.

Many problems are pointed out in the mining industry that gets rare earths and precious metals, and there are possibilities to threaten large-scale flora and fauna and human settlements in order to obtain a place that can be drilled.

In addition, many of the workers engaged in mining work at harsh working conditions.

Oil that is indispensable for smartphone production is also one of the problems the earth has.

Convenient smartphones are closely tied to these 21st century problems of the earth.

As resources are limited, rare earths and precious metals are naturally depleted, but alternative elements that can perform similar functions have not been found.

Nevertheless, the number of smartphone users is steadily increasing. In 2019 3 billion people are thought to be using smartphones.

In order not to waste precious resources, it is necessary to try recycling smartphones.

It is possible to reuse resources by donating old smart phone ... ....

There are various problems with recycling companies.

Similar to rare earth and precious metal drilling, there are environmental problems caused by recycling.

Also, electronic wastes such as smartphones are brought to countries with poor working conditions and low wages ......

It seems that recycling is sometimes carried out at a recycling factory composed of women and children.

However, when employees who are not trained enough work in a poor environment, they are exposed to elements harmful to the human body such as lead and mercury, and the nervous system may be damaged.