Food at work surpasses health hazards for Philippine e‑waste dismantlers.
Unseen Hazards in Manila’s E‑Waste Alley
In Onyx Street, wrapped in the rust of discarded laptops and air conditioners, 47‑year‑old Dexter Barsigan and his wife Rosalie fend for their children by stripping metal with nothing but bare hands and a pair of pliers.
From Grinders to Grief
Barsigan’s 13‑year‑long livelihood has begun to fray. Three years ago, aching hands and blurred vision forced him to let his wife and nephew shoulder the danger. “Dismantling gives us food and sends my kids to school,” he told AFP.
Health Risks of Burning Rubber
- Lead, mercury, cadmium released when rubber wire casings are burned.
- Circuit boards contain high concentrations of toxic metals that can cause nerve damage when inhaled.
- Hospitals along the street record half of 12,000 residents—most children—diagnosed with pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses, regardless of vaccination.
Global and National Designations
The Philippines, a top Southeast Asian e‑waste generator, accounts for 540 million kilograms of waste in 2022 (UN Global E‑Waste Monitor). While accredited facilities impose strict guidelines, informal dismantlers lack training, regulation, and protective gear.
Experts Sound Alarm
Irvin Cadavona, hazardous waste officer, and Gelo Apostol, environmental health specialist, warn that exposure to e‑waste chemicals can lead to:
- cancer and neurological disorders,
- respiratory illnesses and birth defects,
- anemia, kidney and thyroid disease, and nerve damage.
“It’s very hard to recycle these chemicals,” noted Apostol, adding that dismantlement itself is “highly hazardous.”
Calls for Recognition and Protection
Medicins du Monde (MdM) has supplied gloves, masks, and safety training to Onyx Street workers, urging official recognition of informal e‑waste labor.
Eva Lecat, MdM coordinator, said, “If the work were legal and regulated, there would be ways to protect people and communities.”
Cadavona and Apostol both highlighted the “evidence gap” that hampers urgency. Apostol warned, “What are we waiting for? Nationwide data of people who died from e‑waste before we act?”
The Personal Toll
Worried about medical costs, Barsigan has avoided doctors, treating his hands with ointment and a cheap pain reliever. “If I stop dismantling, it’s as if I have given up the hope of a better life for my children,” he said.
Looking Forward
With hands that now barely function, Barsigan pledges to resume work once his strength improves, underlining the delicate balance between survival and health in Manila’s bustling e‑waste market.
