The dark side of e-waste - 13th October 2025

Clustered along a kilometer-long strip of road in The Philippines' capital, Manila, squat hundreds of informal dismantlers of electronic waste. These 'mambabaklas', as they're referred to in Filipino, are scavenging for valuable metals like nickel, aluminium and copper, which can be sold on.

Their labour comes at a cost, however, as it poses considerable health risks for the dismantlers. Burning away rubber wire casings unleashes a toxic brew of chemicals into the atmosphere, including lead, mercury and cadmium.

Cancer, neurological and respiratory illnesses as well as birth defects are just some of the potential health threats, impacting children as well as adults. Rosana Milan is the physician-in-charge at a medical facility.

Rosana Milan: "It's very risky for the babies, the toddlers, and even the schoolchildren because they're exposed to those kind of chemicals. Because while their father is working, no one to tend for the children."

Stripping scrapped laptops and air-conditioners for metal components has been Dexter Barsigan's livelihood for the past 13 years, but at some point three years ago, his hands started to throb and he began to experience blurred vision. Some days, he's obliged to monitor from the sidelines as his wife and nephew toil away.

Dexter Barsigan: "I will continue this kind of work for our daily needs. I'll choose my children over my health. I would rather sacrifice my health for my children."

The Philippines is amongst the top e-waste generators in Southeast Asia, according to the Global E-waste Monitor, accounting for 40 million kilogrammes. While accredited facilities follow stringent guidelines for correct disposal, the mambabaklas persevere with neither crucial training nor protective safety gear.

It's a void which the organisation Medicins du Monde has been endeavouring to fill, by issuing cautionary advice, protective masks and gloves. It's also demanding recognition for the tradesmen, although co-ordinator Eva Lecat's well aware other concerns take precedence.

Eva Lecat: "And them struggling with earning enough money just to feed their family, this is not their first priority. You know, health is clearly not their first priority. Their priority is to have food on the table."