Topic: Exposure to E-wastes and Its Effects on Humans and the Food Chain

E-waste, generated from the manufacture, use, recycling, and disposal of electrical and electronic goods, is the fastest-growing solid waste stream in the world. In 2019, less than 20% of the >50 million tonnes of e-waste produced globally was formally recorded. As a physically and chemically diverse material, e-waste contains numerous potentially harmful elements and compounds at levels that pose significant risks to human health and the food chain, particularly in regions with weak management practices and dominated by the informal waste sector. Women and children are particularly vulnerable.

We aim to provide a platform to present and review the latest research on exposure risks at all stages of the life cycle of electronic devices and their component materials. This includes informal treatment, extraction of critical materials, exposure assessment, and impacts of component substances on humans and other living organisms. We welcome fundamental empirical studies as well as stakeholder and policy-relevant commentary related to potential exposure (both increases and reductions, along with confounding factors).

Potentially toxic elements, harmful substances, e-waste, WEEE, informal waste management, bioaccumulation, pollutant transport, exposure assessment, source-pathway-receptor

30 Nov 2024