Evaluating Risks of Acquired Clinical Vulnerability Among Subjects Exposed to E-Waste - Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology - page 7

Table 4 Effects of toxic E-waste constituents on human health

Toxic constituents
present Sources of E-waste Health effects References

Solder in printed circuit
boards, glass panels,
and gaskets in
computer monitors

Lead (Pb) Damage to central and

peripheral nervous
systems, blood systems
and kidney damage

Zheng et al. ( 2008 ),
Pandve ( 2007 ),
Pinto ( 2008 ),
Shy et al. ( 2009 )

Affects brain development
of children

Chip resistors and
semiconductors

Cadmium (Cd) Toxic irreversible effects

on human health
Accumulates in kidney
and liver

Zheng et al. ( 2008 ),
Pandve ( 2007 ),
Pinto ( 2008 ),
Shy et al. ( 2009 )

Causes neural damage
Teratogenic

Relays and switches,
printed circuit
boards

Mercury (Hg) Chronic damage

to the brain
Respiratory and skin
disorders due to
bioaccumulation
in ishes

Shy et al. ( 2009 ),
Pandve ( 2007 ),
Pinto ( 2008 )

Corrosion protection
of untreated and
galvanized steel
plates, decorator
or hardener
for steel housings

Hexavalent
chromium
(Cr VI)

Asthmatic bronchitis
DNA damage

Shy et al. ( 2009 ),
Pandve ( 2007 )

Cabling and computer
housings

Plastics
including
PVC

Burning produces dioxin
that causes reproductive
and developmental
problems

Shy et al. ( 2009 ),
Pandve ( 2007 )

Immune system damage
Interfere with regulatory
hormones

Plastic housings
of electronic
equipment and
circuit boards

Brominated
lame retardants
(BFR)

Disrupts endocrine
system function

Shy et al. ( 2009 )

Front panels of CRTs Barium (Ba) Short-term exposure

causes:

Shy et al. ( 2009 )

Muscle weakness
Damage to heart, liver,
and spleen

Motherboards Beryllium (Be) Carcinogenic

(lung cancer)
Inhalation of fumes
and dust causes chronic
beryllium disease or
beryllicosis
Skin diseases
such as warts

Shy et al. ( 2009 ),
Pandve ( 2007 )