Table 1 Hazardous electrical components and their health consequences
From: Microbial cell factories in the remediation of e-wastes: an insight
Sl. no | Types of pollutants | Electrical components | Health consequences | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Lead | Printed circuits boards, light bulbs, cathode ray tube, television and monitors, glass panels, computer gaskets, etc | Damage of brain development, blood system, kidney damage | Raj et al., 2023; [176] |
2 | Cadmium | Mobile phones, switches, springs, connectors, PCBs, infrared detectors, resistors in chips and semi-conductor chips, ink or toner photocopying machines | Neural damage, flu-like symptoms if inhaled, can damage lungs and kidney. Also diseases like itai-itai, osteoporosis, and ostomalasis, reported in a study | [69],https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/329480/WHO-CED-PHE-EPE-19.4.3-eng.pdf |
3 | Hexavalent chromium | Untreated and galvanized steel plates from corrosion, data tapes, and floppy disks | Asthmatic bronchitis, nose irritation, respiratory cancer, perforated eardrums | https://www.arnolditkin.com/blog/plant-accidents/the-risks-of-hexavalent-chromium-exposure/ |
4 | Mercury | Cold cathode fluorescent lamps, thermostat, relays and switches, PCB, sensors and monitors | Memory loss, neuromuscular effects, cognitive and motor dysfunction, CNS disorder, kidney toxicity | [98],Azevedo B. et al., 2012 |
5 | Zinc | Cathode ray tubes, zinc air batteries for laptops, zinc carbon batteries, metal coatings, etc | Urine retention, nausea and vomiting, lethargy, kidney problems | https://environment.co/the-harmful-effects-of-e-waste-to-humans/ |
6 | Lithium | Lithium batteries | Change in heart rhythm, muscle weakness, diarrhea and serious stomach issue, fatigue | [80] |
7 | Barium | Cathode ray tubes, fluorescent lamps, front panel | Muscle weakness, increased blood pressure, breathing difficulties, change in nerve reflexes | [133] |
8 | Beryllium | X-ray machines, motherboard, ceramic appliances | Skin diseases, lung cancer, kidney stones, night sweats | |
9 | Dioxin such as dibenzofurans and perfluoroalkyls | Combustion by-product and fluoropolymers in electronic appliances | Severe skin lesions such as hyperpigmentation, drastic weight loss, altered liver function, depression of immune and endocrine systems | [9] |
10 | Chromium | Present in galvanized steel plates | Responsible for bronchitis | [156] |
11 | Aluminum | Transformers, condensers, PCBs | Deteriorating effects on reproductive system, immune system, nervous system; causes cancer | [64] |
12 | Ni, Cd | Mobile and computer PCBs, Ni–Cd batteries | Open burning causes severe health effects on inhalation; harmful towards pregnancy | |
13 | Zn, Mn | Spent Zn-Mn batteries | Cancerous | |
14 | Antimony | CRT | Inhalation might cause respiratory effects like inflammation of the lungs and chronic bronchitis | https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-09/documents/antimony-compounds.pdf |
15 | Arsenic | Light-emitting diodes | Poisonous and harmful towards a prolong exposure | [64] |
16 | Tin, brominated dioxins | Chips and other gold-plated components in electronics | Inhalation is toxic to workers and nearby residents | [178] |
17 | Phosphors | Cathode ray tubes (CRT) | Toxic on inhalation | [169] |
18 | Polybrominated biphenyl (PBB), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) | Fire retardants for plastics | Acutely poisonous when burned and can causes long-term period injuries to health | [64] |