A contemporary review of electronic waste through the lens of inhalation toxicology

Abstract

Inhalation is a significant route of exposure to toxic chemicals for electronic waste (e-waste) workers, especially for those whose activities take place in the informal sector. However, there remains a dearth of research on the health effects produced by the hazardous dismantling of e-waste and associated outcomes and biological mechanisms that occur as a result of inhalation exposure. This contemporary review highlights a number of the toxicological and epidemiological studies published on this topic to bring to light the many knowledge gaps that require further research, including in vitro and ex vivo investigations to address the health outcomes and underlying mechanisms of inhaled e-waste-associated pulmonary disease.

Keywords:

• Electronic waste
• E-waste
• inhalation
• particulate matter
• inflammation
• oxidative stress

Disclosure statement

No potential competing interest was reported by the authors.