CityUHK research finds electronic waste chemicals penetrate and accumulate in dolphins’ brains

Co-led by Prof. Kenneth Leung Mei-Yee, Director of State Key Laboratory of Marine Environment Health (SKLMEH) and Department of Chemistry, Prof. Henry He Yuhe, from SKLMEH and School of Energy and Environment and Prof. Liang BO from Department of Biology at Shantou University, the research discovered that liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) from household electronics and electronic waste, such as television and computer screen, can bioaccumulate in marine life, including the endangered Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins and finless porpoises. These compounds can penetrate the blood–brain barrier and accumulate in brain tissue, raising concerns about potential risks to the nervous system and other organs of these marine animals.

The team is also concerned about the possibility of humans being exposed to LCMs through seafood consumption.

For details: https://www.cityu.edu.hk/media/news/2026/03/16/lcms-in-dolphins