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Table 11.1 Electronic-waste exposures and its potential hazards
Pollutants
Components of the
electrical and
electronic equipment
Effects to humans
Source of
exposure
Route of
exposure
References
Temporary
Permanent
Polybrominated
diphenyl ethers
Flame retardants,
electronic
components
Fatigue, headache,
reduced capacity of work,
dizziness, irritability in
combination with
gastrointestinal syndromes
such as diminished
appetite, weight loss,
abdominal pain
Neurodevelopmental
toxicity, thyroid
hormone imbalance,
liver tumours
Air, soil,
sediments,
humans, wildlife,
sewage treatment
plant biosolids
Ingestion,
inhalation,
transplacental
Siddiqi et al.
(2003)
Polybrominated
biphenyls
Polychlorinated
biphenyls
Polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons
Incomplete
combustion
Lung cancer
Atmosphere,
surface soils
Ingestion,
inhalation, and
transplacental
Hussein et al.
(2016)
Polychlorinated
dibenzofurans, pyrene,
chrysene, fluoranthene,
fluorene, phenanthrene,
acenaphthene,
anthracene
Heavy metals
Light-emitting
diodes, doping
material for Si,
semiconductors,
microwaves, solar
cells
Cancers in lungs, bladder,
and skin
Carcinogenic, chronic
disease
Air, soil, and
water
Kumar et al.
(2017) and
Grant et al.
(2013)
Arsenic
Barium
Getters in cathoderay tube screens,
plastic and rubber
fillers, electron tubes
Brain, heart, liver, and
lung damage
Air, water, soil,
and food
Ingestion,
dermal contact,
and inhalation
Cadmium
Toners, batteries,
plastics, circuit
boards, monitor
Birth defect and heart,
kidney, and lung damage
Nephrotoxicity
Air, dust, soil,
water, and food
Ingestion and
inhalation
11 Sustainable Electronic-Waste Management: Implications on Environmental…