Effects of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers on Hormonal and Reproductive Health in E-Waste-Exposed Population: A Systematic Review

Vishal Singh, Javier Cortes-Ramirez, Leisa-Maree Toms, Thilakshika Sooriyagoda and Shamshad Karatela
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Vishal Singh: School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia
Javier Cortes-Ramirez: Centre for Data Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia
Leisa-Maree Toms: School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia
Thilakshika Sooriyagoda: School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia
Shamshad Karatela: School of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 13, 1-20

Abstract: Electronic waste management is a global rising concern that is primarily being handled by informal recycling practices. These release a mix of potentially hazardous chemicals, which is an important public health concern. These chemicals include polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), used as flame retardants in electronic parts, which are persistent in nature and show bioaccumulative characteristics. Although PBDEs are suspected endocrine disruptors, particularly targeting thyroid and reproductive hormone functions, the relationship of PBDEs with these health effects are not well established. We used the Navigation Guide methodology to conduct a systematic review of studies in populations exposed to e-waste to better understand the relationships of these persistent flame retardants with hormonal and reproductive health. We assessed nineteen studies that fit our pre-determined inclusion criteria for risk of bias, indirectness, inconsistency, imprecision, and other criteria that helped rate the overall evidence for its quality and strength of evidence. The studies suggest PBDEs may have an adverse effect on thyroid hormones, reproductive hormones, semen quality, and neonatal health. However, more research is required to establish a relationship of these effects in the e-waste-exposed population. We identified the limitations of the data available and made recommendations for future scientific work.

Keywords: flame retardants; persistent organic pollutants (POPs); endocrine-disrupting chemicals; environmental exposure; occupational health; non-monotonic dose–response (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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