Emerging Chemical Pollutants From Electronic Waste and Their Impact on Human Health: An Overview

ABSTRACT The overwhelming use and short lifespan of electronic and electrical products have significantly contributed to rising occupational and environmental health concerns, particularly in developing nations. This review evaluates the health impacts of e‐waste exposure, focusing on recyclers and children. A total of 63 articles were selected based on specific criteria from databases including PubMed/Medline, ScienceDirect, Springer, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Geographically, 73% of the studies were from China, followed by 8% from Nigeria, 5% from Vietnam, 2% each from America, Africa, Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Ghana, Palestine, and Canada. Of the selected studies, 44 examined children's health issues, emphasizing their heightened vulnerability to e‐waste exposure, while 19 investigated health risks faced by e‐waste recyclers. E‐waste consists primarily of heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, and bioaccumulative toxins. The findings suggest that certain groups, including e‐waste workers, their families, children, and pregnant women, face substantial health risks. Identified health effects include developmental disorders, genomic instability, hormonal imbalances, and damage to the lungs, gut, liver, immune system, blood, nervous system, and cardiovascular system. Raising awareness among e‐waste recyclers about the health hazards specific to their occupation and promoting protective measures is crucial. Implementing stringent regulations, safer recycling practices, and public health interventions can help mitigate the risks associated with e‐waste exposure, particularly for vulnerable populations.