Effects of E-waste on Immune System of Preschool Children

Electronic waste (e-waste) is one of the growing issues globally. Various components of e-waste including lead, nickel, cadmium, aluminum, and various hazardous gases releasing from the burning of these materials are responsible for various health issues, especially for the impairment of immune system in preschool children. In this chapter, we report that various e-waste materials are involved in the impairment of the immune system, decrease level of immunoglobulins against viruses, defected level of CD4 and CD8 immune cells, hypersensitivity reactions, lower level of various interleukins which includes IL-6, IL-1b, and IL-27, and lower level of NK cells formation and CR1 level in preschool children. This chapter shows that children of preschool age are more susceptible to various e-waste materials and having more chances of immune impairment functions.