E-Waste and Metal Contamination in the Environment: Health Effects

Abstract

It is predicted that electronic waste (e-waste) derived principally from discarded electronic equipment will reach 74 million metric tonnes by 2030. In addition, urbanization and industrialization have contributed to metal contamination in the environments. E-waste is often deposed of in low-income countries adversely affecting the health of the working population. The main sources of e-contamination are soil, dust, and food matrices. Drinking water can also be contaminated with heavy metals such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) causing a major health concern. Exposure to pollutants present in waste has a significant detrimental impact on human health; children in developing countries are often particularly susceptible. Sensitive monitoring procedures are needed to improve the rate of detection and monitoring of the possible adverse effects on the population exposed to significant quantities of e-waste.