Electronic waste (e-waste) poses significant environmental and health risks in Thailand due to both domestic production and international imports. A notable portion of this waste is processed in small-scale, community-based workshops, often located in poorer regions, where safety regulations are improperly enforced or entirely ignored. This study focuses on the Kalasin province in Northern Thailand, a region with numerous such workshops, where no comprehensive analysis of exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and dechlorane plus (DP) has been conducted. The study's objective was to quantify these toxic substances in environmental and biological samples to assess its contamination and human health risks. Environmental samples, including soil, dust, sediment, ash, eggs, crabs, snails, fish, and rice, were collected from e-waste processing sites and compared with control areas. Blood samples from e-waste workers and a control group were also analysed. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry operated in negative ion chemical ionization (GC-NCI-MS) was used to quantify PBDEs and DP isomers. Results showed significantly higher concentrations of these toxic compounds in e-waste sites compared to control areas. E-waste workers also had elevated levels of these substances in their blood, suggesting exposure through contaminated dust and food. These findings underscore the severe environmental contamination and health risks associated with improper e-waste management, highlighting the urgent need for regulatory measures and improved recycling practices to safeguard both environmental and public health.

Arnika Toxics and Waste Programme Seifrtova 327 85 Prague 130 00 Czech Republic

Arnika Toxics and Waste Programme Seifrtova 327 85 Prague 130 00 Czech Republic; Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology University of Chemistry and Technology Prague Technicka 5 Prague 166 28 Czech Republic

Arnika Toxics and Waste Programme Seifrtova 327 85 Prague 130 00 Czech Republic; International Pollutants Elimination Network Gothenburg 40235 Sweden

Department of Food Analysis and Nutrition Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology University of Chemistry and Technology Prague Technicka 5 Prague 166 28 Czech Republic

Ecological Alert and Recovery Thailand 211 2 Ngamwongwan Rd Soi 31 Bangkhen Muang Nonthaburi 11000 Thailand

External consultant Spesov Czech Republic

Institute for Health and the Environment University at Albany 1400 Washington Avenue Albany NY 12222 USA

Khong Chai Hospital 223 หมู่ 11 Khongchai Phatthana Khong Chai District Kalasin 46130 Thailand

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