Only 30 % of mobile phones recycled

Lin Chieh-liang (林杰樑), director of clinical toxicology at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, said cadmium can cause prostate cancer and bone mutation. Beryllium is also carcinogenic and is harmful to the lungs. Cobalt can cause anemia and asthma. Lead can cause high blood pressure, cardiac diseases and lung diseases.

Wang Jiunn-iuan (王俊淵), director of Environmental Health and Pollutant management, said about 70 percent of mobile phone users do not recycle their mobile phones. They either leave the old cell phones as a spare phone, or give them to friends and relatives.

Lin said in normal circumstances, these old mobile phones are not significantly harmful to human body. However, after a certain period of time, it is possible that the toxic material would leak out and harm people's health.

Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) recycled 203 tons of mobile phones in 2007, 257 tons in 2008 and 362 tons in 2009. EPA has spoken to telecom companies last week and suggested they promote phone recycling for users who are swapping old phones for new ones.

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