226
16,512 ng g
−1
polychlorinated biphenyls on a wet weight basis. Other than polybrominated diphenyl ethers, brominated flame retardants like decabromodiphenyl ethane, tetra-bromobisphenol A bis (2, 3-dibromopropyl) ether and 1, 2-bis
(2, 4, 6-tribromophenoxy) ethane are commonly found in the different ecosystem
of Pearl River Delta (Shi et al. 2009). All these have caused a high level of toxic
pollutants in the ambient atmosphere that further degrade the ecosystem and
human well- being (Wong et al. 2007; Yu et al. 2006; Deng et al. 2006).
12.4 Effect on Human Health
Hazardous waste may adversely affect the health of the local inhabitants and workers that may involve any organ failure depending on the contact of any specific type
of chemical(s), exposure time, exposed individual’s characteristics like age and sex,
body weight, immunological status, etc. Exposure routes may differ depending on
the kind of substance involved and their recycling process. The general route followed by the harmful components emerging from E-waste is either via inhalation,
ingestion or dermal contact. In addition to this, people can come in contact with
associated pollutants through contaminated air, soil, water or food. Also, additional
exposure risks are faced by pregnant women, foetuses, children, elderly population,
disabled persons, workers and local residents (Grant et al. 2013). Among them,
children are at a higher risk due to other routes of exposure like placental exposure
or breastfeeding, their altering physiology like high consumption of water and food
and low toxin elimination rate and high risk-taking behaviours like hand to mouth
activity in recent years (Pronczuk de Garbino 2004). Besides, the children of
E-waste manufacturing and recycling workers get contaminated by their parents’
skin or clothes and direct exposure if the recycling process is happening in nearby
places or homes.
Heavy metals penetrate the human body via oral intake, dermal contact and inhalation. Water and food intake are the major sources of oral exposure to heavy metals
(Zheng et al. 2013; Xu et al. 2006). Food crops bioaccumulate heavy metals via
wastewater irrigation (Singh et al. 2010), atmospheric deposition (Bi et al. 2009) or
contaminated soil (Zhuang et al. 2009). Contaminated soil and feeds result in an
elevated level of heavy metals in meat products (Cang et al. 2004; Gonzalez-Weller
et al. 2006). A number of studies revealed that Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu are potential
human carcinogens that are related to several disorders like the nervous system,
blood, urine, cardiovascular and bone diseases (Jarup 2003; Brewer 2010; Muyssen
et al. 2006). A similar study by Thomas et al. (2009) speculated that Cd and other
heavy metals cause early kidney damage. Several studies have also found that Cu
leads to liver damage, Pb results in behaviour and learning disabilities and Cd
increases the risk of kidney damage (Bhutta et al. 2011; Chan et al. 2013; Yan et al.
2013). These studies emphasize the significance of assessment of heavy metal risk
and exposure to the local inhabitants and labours in E-waste recycling areas.
B. Vaish et al.
16,512 ng g
−1
polychlorinated biphenyls on a wet weight basis. Other than polybrominated diphenyl ethers, brominated flame retardants like decabromodiphenyl ethane, tetra-bromobisphenol A bis (2, 3-dibromopropyl) ether and 1, 2-bis
(2, 4, 6-tribromophenoxy) ethane are commonly found in the different ecosystem
of Pearl River Delta (Shi et al. 2009). All these have caused a high level of toxic
pollutants in the ambient atmosphere that further degrade the ecosystem and
human well- being (Wong et al. 2007; Yu et al. 2006; Deng et al. 2006).
12.4 Effect on Human Health
Hazardous waste may adversely affect the health of the local inhabitants and workers that may involve any organ failure depending on the contact of any specific type
of chemical(s), exposure time, exposed individual’s characteristics like age and sex,
body weight, immunological status, etc. Exposure routes may differ depending on
the kind of substance involved and their recycling process. The general route followed by the harmful components emerging from E-waste is either via inhalation,
ingestion or dermal contact. In addition to this, people can come in contact with
associated pollutants through contaminated air, soil, water or food. Also, additional
exposure risks are faced by pregnant women, foetuses, children, elderly population,
disabled persons, workers and local residents (Grant et al. 2013). Among them,
children are at a higher risk due to other routes of exposure like placental exposure
or breastfeeding, their altering physiology like high consumption of water and food
and low toxin elimination rate and high risk-taking behaviours like hand to mouth
activity in recent years (Pronczuk de Garbino 2004). Besides, the children of
E-waste manufacturing and recycling workers get contaminated by their parents’
skin or clothes and direct exposure if the recycling process is happening in nearby
places or homes.
Heavy metals penetrate the human body via oral intake, dermal contact and inhalation. Water and food intake are the major sources of oral exposure to heavy metals
(Zheng et al. 2013; Xu et al. 2006). Food crops bioaccumulate heavy metals via
wastewater irrigation (Singh et al. 2010), atmospheric deposition (Bi et al. 2009) or
contaminated soil (Zhuang et al. 2009). Contaminated soil and feeds result in an
elevated level of heavy metals in meat products (Cang et al. 2004; Gonzalez-Weller
et al. 2006). A number of studies revealed that Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu are potential
human carcinogens that are related to several disorders like the nervous system,
blood, urine, cardiovascular and bone diseases (Jarup 2003; Brewer 2010; Muyssen
et al. 2006). A similar study by Thomas et al. (2009) speculated that Cd and other
heavy metals cause early kidney damage. Several studies have also found that Cu
leads to liver damage, Pb results in behaviour and learning disabilities and Cd
increases the risk of kidney damage (Bhutta et al. 2011; Chan et al. 2013; Yan et al.
2013). These studies emphasize the significance of assessment of heavy metal risk
and exposure to the local inhabitants and labours in E-waste recycling areas.
B. Vaish et al.