A researcher in Hong Kong has asked for stricter rules for electronics and told people to use them more carefully. This is because a study found harmful chemicals from laptops, televisions and smartphones in the bodies and brains of endangered dolphins and porpoises that washed up on the city’s beaches.
He Yuhe, an associate professor at City University, was one of the researchers. Liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) were the pollutants found in the study. He said he was shocked that these pollutants could get past the blood-brain barrier in dolphins. This could be harmful to the animals’ brain health.
LCMs are used to make screens for laptops, televisions and smartphones.
Environmental groups say the number of dolphins in Hong Kong has dropped by 76 per cent in the last 20 years. Now, there are only about 2,000 to 2,500 dolphins left in the area. This is because their homes are being destroyed and polluted.
LCM pollutants might have leaked into the ocean from electronic waste at landfills years ago, the professor said. He called for tougher rules on e-waste and urged people to be more careful when buying electronics.
