University of Toronto researchers found that more developed countries are dumping toxic e-waste in Global South

A new study shows that people in mainland China and the Global South suffer the brunt of emissions of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and other toxic chemicals from electronic devices used in more developed countries in Europe, North America and Asia. According to the researchers, PBDE emissions are highest in areas of China, India, Bangladesh and Western Africa and exposure to those chemicals is likely to cause thyroid problems, neurodevelopmental deficits and cancer. While PBDE emissions in Europe from 2000 to 2020 were about 5.5 tonnes, emissions in China during that time were approximately 300 tonnes, with about half of that linked to imported e-waste.