Are children living near informal electronic device recycling sites more exposed to health risks?
Artisanal recycling of electronic waste releases toxic substances into the environment, such as flame retardants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals. A study conducted in Bangkok compared 60 children aged 3 to 6 living near an informal recycling site with 45 children of the same age from an area without recycling activities. The results show that the air and water around the recycling site contain much higher levels of pollutants than in the control area. Exposed children exhibit increased concentrations of these substances in their urine and nails, as well as biological markers indicating greater DNA damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
The pollutants studied include brominated compounds used as flame retardants in plastics, hydrocarbons from waste combustion, and metals such as manganese, nickel, arsenic, lead, and cadmium. These substances can cause cellular damage by generating free radicals, which attack DNA and other essential cell components. In exposed children, analyses reveal high levels of oxidative DNA damage, such as increased oxidized or nitrated DNA, as well as markers of oxidized lipids and proteins. Their immune systems also show signs of abnormal activation, with a rise in inflammatory proteins in saliva.
Researchers observed that these biological alterations are directly linked to the presence of pollutants in the body. For example, the higher the levels of brominated compounds or hydrocarbons in children’s urine, the higher the markers of cellular damage. These findings suggest that prolonged exposure to these pollutants, even at low doses, may increase the risk of developing chronic diseases later in life, such as respiratory disorders, cancers, or metabolic problems.
The study highlights that contamination does not only come from parents working at the site but also from the environment itself, as pollutants disperse into the air and water. Children, due to their developing bodies and exploratory behavior, are particularly vulnerable to these exposures. These data reinforce the urgency of better regulating informal recycling activities and protecting nearby populations, especially the youngest.
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About This Study
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-026-00758-z
Title: Multi-exposure to PBDEs, PAHs, and Toxic Metals Increased Health Risks Associated with Oxidative Damage in Children Living Around an Electronic Waste Recycling Site
Journal: Exposure and Health
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Authors: Panida Navasumrit; Krittinee Chaisatra; Jeerawan Promvijit; Chalida Chompoobut; Potchanee Hunsonti; Thitirat Ngaotepprutaram; Mathuros Ruchirawat