Pollution Problem by Illegal Dumping - History and Current Situation

Pollution Problem by Illegal Dumping - History and Current Situation

### The Beginning of the Pollution Problem in the 1990s
Since the 1990s, illegal dumping has become a major environmental problem in many areas. Industrial waste and hazardous materials were not properly disposed of, causing air and water pollution and serious damage to ecosystems and human health. In Toms River, New Jersey, for example, trichloroethylene and dioxin from a chemical plant contaminated the groundwater, leading to a childhood cancer rate that is about twice the national average. The U.S. government enacted the Superfund law (CERCLA), requiring companies to pay approximately $2 billion in cleanup costs to remove the contamination.

In Uttar Pradesh, India, industrial effluents from textile factories and pharmaceutical companies flowed into the Ganges River, and heavy metals such as chromium and lead deteriorated the river's water quality. Although the Indian government has launched a cleanup project, the National Mission for Clean Ganga, and is taking steps to protect the environment, the river still remains a drinking water risk for local residents.

In Italy, the criminal organization Camorra controlled the disposal of industrial waste near Naples, Campania, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and asbestos were illegally landfilled as part of an "eco-mafia. As a result, the cancer incidence rate in the surrounding area rose to 1.2 times the national average. Although the Italian government strengthened penalties for companies involved in the illegal disposal of waste, illegal dumping continued unabated.

In Japan, construction waste was illegally dumped in forests and mountains in Gifu Prefecture, contaminating water sources and soil with toxic substances such as asbestos and PCBs. Gifu Prefecture, in cooperation with waste disposal companies, has strengthened countermeasures, including fines of up to 5 million yen for violators, but illegal dumping continues.

### Current Situation and New Challenges in the 2020s
In the 2020s, the illegal dumping problem has become even more serious, creating new risks, especially for waste containing electronic equipment, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.

In Silicon Valley, California, USA, illegal dumping of e-waste from the IT industry is a major problem. Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and lithium contained in computers and smartphones are contaminating groundwater and soil, affecting the health of local residents. Although companies such as Apple and Tesla have been implementing recycling technologies, according to the Waste Management Authority, 400,000 tons of e-waste are not properly disposed of each year.

The Agbogbrosi district of Ghana, Africa, is known as the "world's largest graveyard of e-waste," where e-waste imported from Europe and the United States is illegally dumped. Lead and mercury leakage has led to an increase in cancer and nervous system disorders among the local population. Although the Ghanaian government is working to tighten regulations on waste imports, 500,000 tons of e-waste is brought into the country each year and is not being properly disposed of.

In China's Hebei Province, toxic waste from pharmaceutical and chemical plants is illegally dumped into farmland and rivers, causing widespread health problems for nearby residents. Chemicals such as sulfuric acid and toluene contaminate groundwater, making it unusable for drinking in an increasing number of areas. In Hebei Province, more than 200,000 tons of chemical waste is illegally dumped annually, and the Chinese government is strengthening penalties and establishing a monitoring system.

In Campania, Italy, the eco-mafia problem continues into the 2020s. Illegal dumping contaminates soil and water sources, with waste containing PCBs and asbestos in particular posing a major risk. The number of illegal dumping cases in Campania averages 3,000 per year and is monitored by surveillance cameras and drones, but with limited effectiveness.

### Initiatives by Companies and the International Community
In response to these problems, countries have begun to strictly require companies to dispose of waste properly and take responsibility for recycling. Companies such as Dell and Microsoft in the U.S. and Siemens in Germany have implemented e-waste recycling programs and are working to increase the use of recycled materials. In addition, Europe has set a goal of recycling 50% of all waste by 2025 under its Circular Economy Package.

### Conclusion
The illegal dumping problem not only causes environmental destruction and health hazards, but also threatens the realization of a sustainable society. Looking back at the history of pollution problems, the impact of illegal dumping continues to grow, and international cooperation is essential to solving the problem. in the 2020s, it is imperative that companies manage the environment autonomously and raise community awareness, and that a sustainable environmental system be established.