Human Health Hazards

Electronic devices contain toxic materials known as hazardous electronic waste (HEW). This is a list of the most common toxic materials found in e-waste and the health issues caused by prolonged exposure when handled unsafely.

Heavy metals can enter the body through ingestion, inhalation and skin contact.

*Source: Center for Disease Control, 2014.

E-waste Toxins Types of Exposure Acute Symptoms  Chronic  Symptoms 
Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs)Common Types:

  • Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
  • Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD)
  • Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) 
 

  • Ingestion
  • Inhalation
 

  • Central nervous system excitation: seizures
  • Mountain Sickness
 

  • Learning disabilities
  • Neurological disorders
  • Endocrine system disruptions (e.g. thyroid, hormone imbalances)
  • Seizures
 Beryllium
  • Inhalation
  • Skin contact
 

  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue
  • Weight loss
  • Fever
  • Rash
  • Lung cancer
  • Skin bumps
  • Poor wound healing
 Cadmium
  •  Inhalation
  •  Pneumonitis
  • Lung cancer
  • Kidney damage
 Lead
  • Inhalation
  • Ingestion
  • Skin contact
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Headache
  • Seizures
  • Encephalopathy
  • Anemia
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nephropathy
  • Foot-drop/wrist-drop
 Mercury
  • Inhalation
  • Skin contact
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Fever
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Metallic taste
  • Gingivo-stomatitis
  • Tremor
  • Neurasthenia
  • Nephrotic syndrome
  • Hypersensitivity (Pink disease)