"E-waste is today the fastest growing sector of the municipal solid waste stream and currently comprises more than 5% of its total flow, i.e. 20-50 million tones a year worldwide. These enormous quantities, in combination with the fact that e-waste contains a wide range of hazardous compounds, have turned e-waste into a global environmental issue. When the e-waste is treated, in general waste processes or in recycling processes, hazardous compounds may be released and pose a threat to humans and the environment. In addition, in some treatment processes, hazardous compounds, such as dioxins, may be formed as the original e-waste components are degraded. This report summarizes and compares the hazards and risks that may arise in different processes."

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