Dolphins’ brains show stubborn screen chemicals from e-waste, study finds

A 14-year study detects 62 liquid crystal monomers—used in LCD screens—in tissues of endangered Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins and finless porpoises in the South China Sea, with the chemicals found in blubber and even brains, capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier and altering genes related to DNA repair and cell division; contamination tracking mirrors the rise and fall of LC monomer use as LEDs replaced older screens, underscoring the need for longer-lasting electronics, certified e-waste recycling, and stricter regulation to prevent potential human health impacts via seafood and water.