Scientists have discovered that LCD screens leak chemicals into just about every environment where they are found, according to a new study, and these particles have the potential to be toxic over time.
As described in a study published last week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers collected dust samples from seven buildings in China: a cafeteria, student dorm, classroom, hotel, home, lab, and an electronics repair shop. Nearly half of the 53 samples tested positive for liquid crystal particles—which are supposed to stay sealed in the screen after manufacturing—even in places where there were no LCD devices at the time of collection.
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The international research team analyzed 362 chemicals used in LCD screens and found that nearly 100 have the potential to be toxic. These particles don’t break down quickly and have “high mobility” in the environment. When inhaled or ingested, according to the study, these particles can build up in the body over time with toxic effects, potentially causing digestive problems and other health issues.
“These chemicals are semi-liquid and can get into the environment at any time during manufacturing and recycling, and they are vaporized during burning,” said University of Saskatchewan environmental toxicologist and lead author John Giesy in a press release. “Now we also know that these chemicals are being released by products just by using them.”
According to the study, these chemicals are “simply filled” into the space between polarizers (light filters) during manufacturing and are not chemically bonded to any base material. This means that “they can be released during production; through wastewater; or during active use, disposal, or recycling.”
To be clear, the researchers didn’t observe any adverse health effects from the accumulation of liquid crystals in the human body; they only found that these crystals do in fact leak from devices, and that they have the potential to be toxic.
“We don’t know yet whether this a problem, but we do know that people are being exposed, and these chemicals have the potential to cause adverse effects,” said Giesy.
Lab testing showed that the hazardous substances found in phones were similar to flame retardants, which have proven to be toxic to living creatures, creating problems with animals’ digestive systems and hindering their ability to absorb nutrients. They also disrupted their gallbladders and thyroids.
The team says the next step is to understand the effect of these chemicals on humans, animals, and the environment. “Since there are more and more of these devices being made, there’s a higher chance of them getting into the environment,” said Giesy.
Right now, there are no standards for measuring them and no regulations limiting exposure to them. “We are at ground zero,” he said.
Giesy’s previous work was the first to shed a spotlight on toxic perfluorinated and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs). PFCs used to be in all kinds of oil and water-resistant products such as raincoats and non-stick pans. His findings led to a global ban of PFCs.
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