Abstract
Electronic waste management is a global rising concern that is primarily being handled by informal recycling practices. These release a mix of potentially hazardous chemicals, which is an important public health concern. These chemicals include polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), used as flame retardants in electronic parts, which are persistent in nature and show bioaccumulative characteristics. Although PBDEs are suspected endocrine disruptors, particularly targeting thyroid and reproductive hormone functions, the relationship of PBDEs with these health effects are not well established. We used the Navigation Guide methodology to conduct a systematic review of studies in populations exposed to e-waste to better understand the relationships of these persistent flame retardants with hormonal and reproductive health. We assessed nineteen studies that fit our pre-determined inclusion criteria for risk of bias, indirectness, inconsistency, imprecision, and other criteria that helped rate the overall evidence for its quality and strength of evidence. The studies suggest PBDEs may have an adverse effect on thyroid hormones, reproductive hormones, semen quality, and neonatal health. However, more research is required to establish a relationship of these effects in the e-waste-exposed population. We identified the limitations of the data available and made recommendations for future scientific work.
Subject
Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Reference120 articles.
1. Fast Machines, Slow Violence: ICTs, Planned Obsolescence, and E-waste
2. A New Circular Vision for Electronics—Time for a Global Reboot;Bel,2019
3. The Global E-Waste Monitor 2020: Quantities, Flows, and the Circular Economy Potential;Forti,2020
4. Children and Digital Dumpsites. E-Waste Exposure and Child Health,2021
5. Effects of temperature on the emission of particulate matter, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers from the thermal treatment of printed wiring boards
Cited by
6 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献