Recycling of e-waste in India and China has resulted in the release of toxic chemicals, including heavy metals, in the surrounding areas of recycling yards, an NGO claimed Wednesday.

A Greenpeace International report claimed that toxic chemicals are released into the workplace and in many cases into the surrounding environment, during each stage of the recycling process, said a press release here.

The report "Toxic tech: recycling electronic wastes in China and India", comes on the heels of the European directive on Waste from Electrical and Electronics Equipment (WEEE) coming into effect Aug 13.

The directive, which regulates the handling of e-waste in the European Union (EU) region, is yet to be implemented in many EU countries. China and India have been left to deal with the waste not only from the EU but also the US.

"The report provides a compelling case for immediate action in both countries to address workplace health and safety issues, as well as waste management practices," Kevin Brigden, a Greenpeace scientist, said in the release.

Concentrations of lead in dust samples collected from some workshops in China were hundreds of times higher than typical levels of household dust.

The levels of lead in dust collected from similar Indian workshops were approximately five to 20 times more than the average levels.

The data reinforces the need for the electronics industry to eliminate the use of harmful substances in their products, the release claimed.