How Technologies Influence People's Life

Technological progress has enabled mankind to go from a primitive way of living, to lives where we have access to the world at our fingertips. With advances in technology, the difficulties that many faced in the past have been overcome or greatly reduced. The creation of devices such as cellphones, tablets, music devices, gaming systems, and most importantly, computers, have led to a greatly increased quality of life for all.

Computers (as well as the aforementioned devices) have allowed for advancements in medical research, in education, widening the limits of communication thanks to the Internet, accurate predictions of natural disasters and weather, as well as creating a more equitable society. However, despite all the positive outcomes that have resulted from computer technology, there are of course several downsides that result from it as well. Despite all the good these machines do, they can pose a serious threat on the environment and on our personal health. Computers may threaten the environment through chemicals from electronic waste in landfills as well as heavy power consumption. Pertaining to our health, computers may damage it through radiation, eye strain, and behavioral problems.

Electronics that are improperly recycled, such as by dumping them in a landfill, can pose a severe threat to our environment. Annually, around 40 million metric tons of electronic waste are produced, and 13% of this waste commonly originates from developing countries. 50 to 80% of the burning and deconstruction of these electronic products take place in developing countries such as India, China, Pakistan, Vietnam and the Philippines. As such, the improper disposal of e-waste has caused the contamination of our air, water and soil. Air around us is contaminated when recycling processes of e-waste are not done with care. In struggling economies, such as in those of developing countries, e-waste is handled by dismantling, shredding and open-air burning. When e-waste is dismantled or shredded, it can emit dust and large particulates towards the surrounding area, affecting workers without proper protection as it pollutes the air. The release of toxic dioxins and hydrocarbons also occurs when burning e-wastes such as wires through open air burning. The particles released after burning these e-wastes can quickly travel thousands of miles, causing issues for the human respiratory system, which can lead to pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease and cancer.

In fact, due to open air burning, over 45 million people living in Pearl River Delta Region in Southeast China are exposed to toxic dioxins due to open air burning. Humans are exposed to heavy metals once the chemicals from the e-wastes enter the “soil-crop-food pathway”, meaning that these heavy metals will remain in the environment and continue to negatively affect humans as heavy metals are not biodegradable. In addition, the contamination of our air threatens wildlife and biodiversity, ultimately negatively affecting humans as well. The longer contaminants stay within the air we breathe, it can cause indefinite damage to water quality, soil and plants. For example, lead that is breathed in through the air and ingested back into our water and soil can bio-accumulate in the food chain and can become extremely problematic for large animals, including humans. E-waste also contaminates our soil, as flame retardants and heavy metals such as lead, arsenic and cadmium can seep into soil. As a result, groundwater lying beneath soil and nearby crops will be polluted. These contaminants and toxins may last long well into the future and even evolve into much more dangerous forms as time goes on. Likewise, our drinking water can be contaminated through improper disposal of e-wastes, acidifying and toxifying it.

Once released to the public, it can cause severe illnesses and health issues if it is consumed by humans or animals and threaten our ecosystems. Heavy power consumption through our over usage of computers also plays a role in negative effects on the environment. For one, wasteful use of a computer can increase our carbon footprint. Simply leaving in a laptop plugged into a socket even though it is fully charged can waste over 300 kilowatt hours annually with a desktop wasting over 600 kilowatt hours. By overusing electricity, we allow more greenhouse gasses to enter the atmosphere. Furthermore, climate change is influenced by our computer usage. When we leave our computers on for extended periods of time and carelessly waste its energy, it contributes to methane emissions that influence climate change.

Often overlooked, is the fact that heavy consumption of electricity can even threaten our natural resources, as by over using computers and such, we threaten different environments just so we can ensure high energy supply. When our computers break, we harm the environment when they become e-waste once we replace the item. Not only can computers pose a huge threat to our environment, but they can also put our personal health at risk in more ways than one. One way our personal health can be put at risk is due to radiation from computers and laptops. Some negative outcomes that come from overexposure to computer radiation include problems with fertility in both men and women, DNA fragmentation, skin burns, rashes and more. When a laptop is placed on a male’s lap for a prolonged period, thermal heat radiation may damage his fertility by reducing his sperm count. Electromagnetic radiation can also cause damage to our chromosomes and healthy cells stemming from thermal computer radiation from internal components of the computer.

Most menacing of all, is that due to Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT), x-ray radiation that is emitted may even cause cancer in an individual. Computers can also harm human vision. Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is a vision problem that stems from the glare of a computer screen, the contrast of the screen or words on the screen being illegible. This can blur your vision, cause headaches and strain your eyes, but the effects are only temporary and return to normal after staying away from a computer for some time. Eyesight alone isn’t the only function that computers can have a negative effect on. Computers can cause many other bodily disorders and problems with an individual’s mental state. Over use of computers can put a strain on a person’s physical health, causing back aches from sitting down in front of a computer all day. This is especially true for those whose professions require them to sit down and use them every day. Repetitive stress injuries may result from using a keyboard and mouse too much, as well as carpal tunnel syndrome. If left untreated, it can cause discoordination and weakness in your fingers and thumbs. Even if treated, complete strength and sensation may never be restored.

Computer addiction can cause weight gain or loss, as well as even obesity, as the individual is too wrapped up using the device rather than getting daily exercise. Other negative effects that may occur are shoulder pains and muscle imbalance. Insomnia, drowsiness and difficulty concentrating may be developed through computer addiction once an individual’s need to use a computer cuts into a balanced sleep schedule. Overusing computers can also put a strain on one’s mental state. In a workplace environment, computers can be their most hazardous. In fact, many out of 25,000 individuals who took part in a three-year survey complained about feelings of anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. According to the American Journal of Industrial medicine, one in four staff members spend over five hours at a computer. Due to this prolonged period of usage, psychological disturbances may become more apparent. Depression is highly likely to develop due to a sense of social isolation, despite the surrounding area being busy with all employees around. With deadlines and work targets to meet, it becomes a priority for employees to reach them.

Rather than interacting with their colleagues and making small talk for a sense of sociability, people are too focused on their machines to even notice this aspect of their lives totally erased. Not only does this apply to the workplace, but to the general public as well. With communication through the Internet and social media as accessible as ever, people may think they have real friends and sociability through these mediums, but they are missing out on real interaction and friendships with other people in the outside world. This can cause social awkwardness and shyness when faced with real conversation. With all of this in mind, it is very apparent that computers, though used with good intentions, can have their many downsides on the environment and on our personal health. Improper disposal of e-waste can severely damage our air, soil and water quality, as well as permanently leave scars on our ecosystems. When we irresponsibly dispose of equipment, not only does it negatively impact us, but animals that we rely on for our daily sustainment as well. By wasting energy and overusing computers, we negatively contribute to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. Our personal health is also put at risk when we overuse computers, leading to deadly consequences if we are not mindful of our usage. With technology continuously advancing, however, it seems things will only get worse.