Impacts of Metals in Electronic Devices to Human Health

Electronic Devices contain different hazardous and toxic metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium, brominated flame-retardants, barium, phosphorus and heavy metals, copper, nickel, lithium, and beryllium. 

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1. Lead

It is the most widely used in electronic devices. Lead-tin solder is used to attach electronic components. This is usually found in circuit boards, glass panels, and gaskets in computer monitors.

Impact to Human Health: 

According to the World Health Organization (2019), lead is harmful especially to young children. It affects the development of the brain and the nervous system of the children that can cause a reduction in IQ level, behavioural changes, coma, convulsions, and even death. For adults, there is an increased risk of high blood pressure and kidney damage. For pregnant women, exposure to high levels of lead can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, and low birth weight. 

2. Cadmium

It is used as a protective coating on metals in electronics. It is usually found on chip resistors and semiconductors. 

Impact to Human Health: 

Inhalation or high level of exposure to cadmium can result in chills, fevers, muscle pain, lung disease, kidney damage, fragile bones, and neural damage. 

3. Mercury

It is a useful component of electrical switches. Mercury in electronics is safe, but if it shatters, it will release toxic mercury vapor. This is found on relays and switches, and printed circuit boards.

Impact to Human Health:

Exposure or inhalation of mercury vapor attacks human's nervous, digestive, and immune systems. Lungs and kidneys can also be damaged. If mercury is ingested, there will be kidney toxicity. There are also emotional changes like mood swing, irritability, and others.

4. Chromium

It is used to protect steel against rust and corrosion. It is found in galvanized steel plates in electronic devices. 

Impact to Human Health:

This can cause bronchitis, and attacks the respiratory tract. 

5. Brominated flame-retardants

It is a man-made chemical to make products less flammable. In electronic devices, it is usually found in circuit boards.

Impact to Human Health:

Exposure to BFR develops disorders and cancer. It disrupts endocrine system function.

6. Barium, phosphorus, and heavy metals

This is usually found in the front panels of Cathode Ray Tube (CRT). 

Impact to Human Health:

It weakens muscles, damages heart, liver, and spleen (part of your lymphatic system).

7. Copper

This is also common in electronics. It is used in wires like copper wire, and printed circuit board tracks. 

Impact to Human Health:

High levels of exposure are harmful. It can lead to stomach cramps, nausea, liver damage, or Wilson's disease.

8. Nickel

It is usually found in batteries and electrodes. Nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries are the best example.

Impact to Human Health:

Contact with nickel can cause allergies, cardiovascular and kidney diseases, lung fibrosis, lung and nasal cancer, skin allergy that can result in dermatitis.

9. Lithium

This is found in lithium-ion batteries. It is important for rechargeable batteries of mobile phones, laptops, cameras, etc. 

Impact to Human Health:

Inhalation and high levels of exposure may cause lung edema. If a nursing mother inhaled the substance, it may harm the baby through breast milk.

10. Beryllium

It is usually found in motherboards. It is known for its resistance to rust and corrosion, good conductor of electricity, and thermal conductivity.

Impact to Human Health:

Contact and high level of exposure may lead to lung cancer (carcinogenic). If inhaled, chronic beryllium disease or berylliosis may develop. 

References:

EPA. (n.d.). Health Effects of Exposures to Mercury. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/mercury/health-effects-exposures-mercury

Genchi, G., Carocci, A., Lauria, G., Sinicropi, M. S., & Catalano, A. (2020, January 21). Nickel: Human Health and Environmental Toxicology. doi:10.3390/ijerph17030679

Monika, & Kishore, J. (2010, July). E-Waste Management: As a Challenge to Public Health in India. doi:10.4103/0970-0218.69251

United States Department Of Labor. (n.d.). Cadmium. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/cadmium/health-effects

World Health Organization. (2017, March 31). Mercury and health. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mercury-and-health

World Health Organization. (2019, August 23). Lead poisoning and health. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lead-poisoning-and-health