The Indian information technology (IT) industry has been one of the major drivers of change in the economy in the last decade and had contributed increasing to the digital revolution being experienced by the world. New electronic gadgets and appliances have become a primary aspect of our daily lives, providing our society with more comfort, health and security and with easy information acquisition and exchange.

The increasing market in the developing countries make e- waste one of the fastest growing streams. This new kind of recycling system is posing a challenge in disposing and recycling to both developed and developing countries. Of the total e- waste generated in the country, western India accounts for the largest population at 35%, while the southern, northern and eastern regions make up the remaining 30, 21, and 14% respectively.

Besides the domestic e- waste generated, an additional 50,000 MT a year is illegally imported into the country. Our 1 million people in India are involved in the manual recycling operations. Many of those poor people lack intelligence, have low literacy levels, and/ or have very little awareness regarding the negative effects that e- waste has on the environment. There is a large amount of women and children, involved in these activities and they are more vulnerable to the hazards of e- waste. There has yet to be a current study to display the direct health problems to women and children caused by engaging in these activities.