Electronic Waste: Human Health and Environmental Risk

Abstract

Abstract As global demand for electronic products rises, it also generates a significant volume of e‐waste at an alarming rate. E‐waste recycling and disposal are one of the world's fastest‐growing pollution problems, with an estimated 53 million metric tons produced in 2019 and a raw material value of $57 billion. It is expected to reach 74.7 million metric tons by 2030. Developed countries generate most of the world's e‐waste and export it to low‐income Asian and African countries. Managing e‐waste, both domestically generated and imported, is a major environmental health issue in developing countries. Recycling electronic waste recovers precious metals and resalable parts to generate revenue. E‐waste and its recycling practices release a variety of known hazardous chemicals such as Pb, Hg, Cd, hexavalent Cr, brominated flame retardants (BFRs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDs), poly‐brominated/chlorinated biphenyls (PBBs/PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzodioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDDs/PCDFs), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and other chemicals. Developing countries lack adequate analytical laboratory resources and methods to measure the exposure of these toxic pollutants in air, water, food, and soil during recycling/disposal practices. Analytical data are critical to perform chemical exposure assessment for aggregate and cumulative risk assessment to exposed people, especially vulnerable populations (women and children) involved in handling and recycling operations in developing countries. In addition, a brief description of approaches to minimize risks, raising awareness of the problem of informal e‐waste management, and international efforts, policies, and regulations of the e‐waste legislation discussed.