E-Waste Chemicals Found in Dolphins and Porpoises, Raising Ocean Health Concerns

Chemicals used in the production of television, computer, and smartphone screens are accumulating in the tissues – including the brains – of dolphins and porpoises, according to new research. The findings, published in Environmental Science & Technology, suggest a broader risk to marine ecosystems and potentially human health.

What are Liquid Crystal Monomers?

The pollutants detected are liquid crystal monomers (LCMs), critical components that control how light passes through display screens to produce clear images . Whereas manufacturers are increasingly shifting to LED displays, the disposal of older electronic equipment remains a significant environmental challenge.

Study Details and Findings

Researchers analyzed tissue samples – blubber, muscle, liver, kidney, and brain – from Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins and finless porpoises collected between 2007 and 2021 in the South China Sea . They screened for 62 individual LCMs .

The analysis revealed that most LCMs originated from TV and computer screens, with fewer traced back to smartphones. Importantly, LCMs were not only found in blubber, where pollutants often accumulate, but also in brain and other organs, indicating potential neurotoxic effects .

Previous studies have detected similar LCMs in the fish and invertebrates consumed by these marine mammals, suggesting that the pollutants enter the food chain rather than being absorbed directly from the water .

Why This Matters

The stability of LCMs, designed to ensure long-lasting screen performance, is also what makes them problematic in the environment, as they do not easily break down . Researchers found that the four most prevalent compounds, along with several other common LCMs, affected genetic activity in laboratory tests, raising concerns about their impact on marine mammal health.

E-Waste: A Growing Problem

E-waste is a rapidly increasing environmental issue, nearly doubling since 2010. In 2022 alone, a record 62 million tonnes of e-waste was generated – enough to fill 1.55 million 40-tonne trucks that could encircle the equator .

Call for Action

Researchers emphasize the urgent need for regulatory measures and improved e-waste disposal practices to protect ocean health and potentially prevent these chemicals from entering the human food chain .