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Kumari H, Yadav S. A comparative study on metal pollution from surface dust of informal and formal e-waste recycling sectors in national capital region of New Delhi and associated risk assessment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166791. [PMID: 37678522 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) is considered as resource and secondary source of metals, and is being recycled for recovery of precious and base metals. But the processes of recycling and the waste generated during e-waste recycling in informal and formal sectors contribute toxic metals in to the environment. This work aimed to compare the environmental and health impacts of informal and formal e-waste recycling facilities at New Delhi and Bhiwadi Industrial area in India, respectively. Here, concentrations of Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, V, Zn, and Ag, and As in surface dust collected from informal and formal recycling sectors and their associated pollution, human health and ecological risk are presented. Metal concentrations were higher than the background levels in both sectors. Contamination factor (Cf), contamination degree (Cdeg), pollution load index (PLI), geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and enrichment factor (EnF) of metals indicated severe pollution levels in both sectors. However, contamination in informal sector was comparatively higher than the formal sector. Sampling sites in both sectors had very high ecological risk. Storage, dismantling/shredding and recycling techniques were contributors of metals in surface dust in formal sector whereas fumes deposition, re-suspension, and dried by-products during acid bath treatments were additional sources in informal sector. Metal pollution depends on metal(s), e-waste type(s) and recycling sector(s). Total non-carcinogenic health risk due to metals was 6.5E+00 and 6.0E+01 and 6.2E+00 and 5.5E+01 in adult and children in informal and formal sectors, respectively. Total carcinogenic risk was 3.3E-03 and 7.2E-03 in informal and formal sectors, respectively. Ingestion was major pathways of metals followed by dermal and inhalation and children were more prone to risk compared to adults. Formal sectors too cause metal pollution but to lesser degree compared to informal. More effective pollution control measures are required in formal sector to control environmental pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hina Kumari
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Sudesh Yadav
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India.
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Fidelis R, Guerreiro EDR, Horst DJ, Ramos GM, de Oliveira BR, de Andrade Junior PP. Municipal solid waste management with recyclable potential in developing countries: Current scenario and future perspectives. WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOLID WASTES AND PUBLIC CLEANSING ASSOCIATION, ISWA 2023; 41:1399-1419. [PMID: 36964724 DOI: 10.1177/0734242x231160084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Municipal solid waste (MSW) is a complex challenge to be solved worldwide, intensified in developing countries since in addition to economic and environmental aspects there is also the social aspect represented by the collector individual. From an integrative bibliographic review this study longitudinally analyses the socio-productive inclusion of collectors in the municipal solid waste management (MSWM) at an international level. Aiming: (a) to identify relevant articles describing/studies on MSWM with social inclusion of scavengers around the world; (b) to analyse these articles in order to present its main characteristics; (c) to describe municipal solid waste management with recyclable potential (MSWRP) with socio-productive inclusion of collectors; (d) the study provides a more detailed summary of MSWRP management in some developing countries: Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria and Pakistan; and (e) to provide a framework indicating the future practices and perspectives of MSWRP. As result, this study presents the paradigms and future questions for an effective improvement of WSWM, such as: Professional Training of Scavengers, Cultural Issues, Empowerment of Scavenger, Recycling Cooperatives and Cooperativism, Policy Issues and Recycling Chain, Management Systems and Process Improvement, Quality of Services Provided, Circular Economy and Informal Sector, Health Quality and Safety at Work, Barriers and Solutions for the Inclusion of the Informal Sector, Environmental, Economic and Social Benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reginaldo Fidelis
- Department of Mathematics, Federal University of Technology of Paraná, Campus Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Erico Daniel Ricardi Guerreiro
- Department of Production Engineering, Federal University of Technology of Paraná, Campus Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Diogo José Horst
- Postgraduate Program in Engineering and Mechanical Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Campus Joinville, Joinvile, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Muller Ramos
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Technology of Paraná, Campus Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Bianca Romam de Oliveira
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Technology of Paraná, Campus Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Pedro Paulo de Andrade Junior
- Postgraduate Program in Engineering and Mechanical Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Campus Joinville, Joinvile, Brazil
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Hoang AQ, Tue NM, Tu MB, Suzuki G, Matsukami H, Tuyen LH, Viet PH, Kunisue T, Sakai SI, Takahashi S. A review on management practices, environmental impacts, and human exposure risks related to electrical and electronic waste in Vietnam: findings from case studies in informal e-waste recycling areas. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023; 45:2705-2728. [PMID: 36194303 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-022-01408-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) has become a global concern, especially in developing countries. In this review, we conducted a literature survey of e-waste management practices, processing activities, and adverse effects in Vietnam, an emerging country in Southeast Asia, by gathering data from peer-reviewed articles published between 2009 and 2021. This is the first review paper to comprehensively discuss management and research aspects regarding e-waste in an Asian developing country. Due to the lack of an effective management and recycling system, a certain portion of Vietnamese e-waste has been processed by informal sectors without appropriate recycling and pollution control technology, resulting in localized contamination and human exposure to toxic chemicals. Primitive processing activities, such as manual dismantling, open burning, and plastic recycling, have been identified as important contributors to the environmental emission and human exposure to toxic elements (notably As, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) and organic pollutants like flame retardants, PAHs, PCBs, and dioxin-related compounds. Informal e-waste processing from these small-scale workshops can release pollutants at similar levels compared to large-scale facilities in developed countries. This fact suggests an urgent need to develop management best practices for e-waste in Vietnam as well as other emerging and developing countries, in order to increase recycling efficiency and minimize their adverse impacts on environmental and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anh Quoc Hoang
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 19 Le Thanh Tong, Hanoi, 11000, Vietnam.
| | - Nguyen Minh Tue
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, 2-5 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama, 790-8577, Japan
- Key Laboratory of Analytical Technology for Environmental Quality and Food Safety Control (KLATEFOS), University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai, Hanoi, 11400, Vietnam
| | - Minh Binh Tu
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 19 Le Thanh Tong, Hanoi, 11000, Vietnam
| | - Go Suzuki
- Center for Material Cycles and Waste Management Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), Tsukuba, 305-8506, Japan
| | - Hidenori Matsukami
- Center for Material Cycles and Waste Management Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), Tsukuba, 305-8506, Japan
| | - Le Huu Tuyen
- University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai, Hanoi, 11400, Vietnam
| | - Pham Hung Viet
- Key Laboratory of Analytical Technology for Environmental Quality and Food Safety Control (KLATEFOS), University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai, Hanoi, 11400, Vietnam
| | - Tatsuya Kunisue
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, 2-5 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama, 790-8577, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Sakai
- Advanced Science, Technology and Management Research Institute of KYOTO, Kyoto, 600-8813, Japan
| | - Shin Takahashi
- Center of Advanced Technology for the Environment (CATE), Graduate School of Agriculture, Ehime University, 3-5-7 Tarumi, Matsuyama, 790-8566, Japan
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Dasgupta D, Majumder S, Adhikari J, Ghosh P, Purchase D, Garelick H, Debsarkar A, Chatterjee D. Environmental impact of e-waste management in Indian microscale informal sectors. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:29581-29597. [PMID: 36417061 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23700-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Inappropriate e-waste processing in the informal sector is a serious issue in developing countries. Field investigations in microscale informal recycling sites have been performed to study the impact of hazardous metal(loid)s (released from e-waste dismantling) on the environment (water and soil). Eight hazardous metal(loid)s (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, As, Hg, Ni, and Cr) were primarily found in the monitored water and soil samples (Sangrampur, West Bengal) because of widespread informal e-waste handling and primitive processing. Elevated concentrations of Cd, Pb, As, Cu, and Cr were observed in pond water samples (0.04, 1.62, 0.03, 1.40, 1.74 mg/L respectively). These ponds, which are regularly used for e-waste handling/dismantling, are usually flooded during the monsoon season mixing with further larger water resources - posing a serious threat to public health. Enriched levels of Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn were detected in collected soil samples, both top surface soil (Pb up to 2042.27 ± 206.80, Cd up to 25.90 ± 9.53, Cu up to 6967.30 ± 711.70, and Zn up to 657.10 ± 67.05 mg/Kg) and deeper subsurface soil (Pb, 419.70 ± 44.70; Cd, 18.34 ± 3.81; Cu, 3928.60 ± 356.40; and Zn, 134.40 ± 33.40 mg/Kg), compared to the levels of As, Hg, Ni, and Cr. Seasonal variation of soil metal(loid) content indicated that higher levels of most of the metal(loids) were detected in the pre-monsoon (Nov-May) season, possibly due to the monsoonal dilution effect, except for Pb and Cd. The results highlighted that the composition and the handling of e-waste were important factors affecting the metal(loid) concentrations. E-waste policy and legislation have great influence on the handling and disposal procedures. An improved e-waste management practice has been proposed to encourage eco-friendly and safe e-waste disposal. It is recommended that regulatory agencies and manufacturers should create a road map to convince the informal sector to develop a systematic approach towards a more standardized formal e-waste management practices at the microscale field level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipsikha Dasgupta
- Environmental Engineering Division, Department of Civil Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700 032, India
| | - Santanu Majumder
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, West Bengal, 741 235, India
| | - Jishnu Adhikari
- , Sanborn, Head & Associates, Inc., 20 Foundry Street, Concord, NH, 03301, USA
| | - Pinaki Ghosh
- Department of Microbiology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, West Bengal, 741 235, India
| | - Diane Purchase
- Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, London, NW4 4BT, UK
| | - Hemda Garelick
- Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, London, NW4 4BT, UK
| | - Anupam Debsarkar
- Environmental Engineering Division, Department of Civil Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700 032, India
| | - Debashis Chatterjee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, West Bengal, 741 235, India.
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Issah I, Arko-Mensah J, Rozek LS, Zarins KR, Dwomoh D, Agyekum TP, Basu N, Batterman S, Robins TG, Fobil JN. Association between toxic and essential metals in blood and global DNA methylation among electronic waste workers in Agbogbloshie, Ghana. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:72946-72956. [PMID: 35614359 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-20954-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant global DNA methylation status is a known biomarker for increased disease risk, especially cancer. There is little published data on the association between toxic and essential metal mixtures and global DNA methylation in electronic waste (e-waste) workers. We aimed to establish the association between toxic and essential metals in blood and the effect of their interactions on global DNA methylation among e-waste recyclers and a reference group in Ghana. We used ICP-MS to measure the level of five metals (Se, Zn, Mn, Cd, and Pb) in the blood of 100 e-waste workers and 51 controls. We quantified blood DNA methylation levels of LINE-1 as an indicator of global DNA methylation. Cd, Mn, and Se levels were significantly higher in the reference group than in e-waste workers. Only Pb was significantly higher in the e-waste workers compared to the controls. Our linear regression analysis results showed a significant inverse association between Zn and LINE-1 DNA methylation (βZn = - 0.912; 95% CI, - 1.512, - 0.306; p = 0.003) which corresponds to a 0.009 decrease in %LINE-1 methylation (95% CI, - 0.015, - 0.003; p = 0.003) for a 1% increase in Zn concentration. Potential interactions between Cd and Zn on global DNA methylation were observed. In summary, co-exposure to toxic and essential metals is associated with global (LINE-1) DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Issah
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
| | - John Arko-Mensah
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Laura S Rozek
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Katie R Zarins
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Duah Dwomoh
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Thomas P Agyekum
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Niladri Basu
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Stuart Batterman
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Thomas G Robins
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Julius N Fobil
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
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Mbodji M, Baskali-Bouregaa N, Bessueille F, Faomowe-Foko R, Fall M, Gilon N. Investigating the metal contamination status from recycling e-waste sites from Dakar, Senegal. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:26285-26296. [PMID: 34851486 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-17678-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In Senegal, processes employed for recycling e-wastes result in release of so-called heavy metals in the environment. In this study, the metal distribution and concentrations of soils collected from four e-waste recycling areas located in the Dakar area are presented. Measurements are performed using portable X-ray fluorescence and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to obtain a complete analysis of the soil, including major and trace elements (i.e., mg/kg). Levels of zinc, copper, manganese, and iron in soils are high but contrasted ranging from 66 mg/kg for Cu in Mbeubeuss landfill to more than 1000 mg/kg for Mn and 10,000 mg/kg for Zn. Lower values are obtained for chromium and lead (Cr = 207 mg/kg and Pb = 181 mg/kg). The most elevated average lead values (i.e., 2935 mg/kg and 1427 mg/kg) are obtained from the e-waste recycling sites located in the urban area of Dakar: Reubeuss and Pikine, respectively. Specific element fingerprints are obtained from each of the studied areas. To evaluate human exposure to the main metals, vegetables grown outside the large e-waste landfill were analyzed. The values obtained for Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Sr, and Zn are low, ranging from 0.11 to 9.66 mg/kg for chromium in turnip and iron in beetroots, respectively. The calculated health risk index remains below unit for all vegetables, which means no potential risk of vegetable consumption for human health. The data provided useful information to estimate contaminations and their origin. Therefore, in order to ensure food safety, continuous monitoring of the vegetables grown in the vicinity of recycling areas is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mor Mbodji
- Institut Des Sciences Analytiques, ISA UMR 5280, CNRS, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Laboratoire de Toxicologie Et Hydrologie, Université Cheikh Anta DIOP, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Nadia Baskali-Bouregaa
- Institut Des Sciences Analytiques, ISA UMR 5280, CNRS, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Frédérique Bessueille
- Institut Des Sciences Analytiques, ISA UMR 5280, CNRS, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Robert Faomowe-Foko
- Laboratoire de Toxicologie Et Hydrologie, Université Cheikh Anta DIOP, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Mamadou Fall
- Laboratoire de Toxicologie Et Hydrologie, Université Cheikh Anta DIOP, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Nicole Gilon
- Institut Des Sciences Analytiques, ISA UMR 5280, CNRS, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France.
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Brewer A, Dror I, Berkowitz B. Electronic waste as a source of rare earth element pollution: Leaching, transport in porous media, and the effects of nanoparticles. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 287:132217. [PMID: 34826916 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Rare earth elements (REEs) are an emerging pollutant whose increasing use in various technological applications causes increasing risk of environmental contamination. Electronic waste (E-waste) could be one major source of REE pollution, as E-waste typically contains elevated REE concentrations and is often handled in unsafe and environmentally hazardous ways. Here, a series of leaching assays revealed that <1% of REEs available in a representative E-waste were released except at acidic conditions (pH 2) rarely observed in nature. If REEs are leached from E-waste, the extent of their spread in the environment will depend, in large part, on their mobility through porous media. Measurements of REE transport through saturated sand demonstrated extremely limited mobility except at acidic conditions (pH 2), though significant REE retention by the substrate still occurs at this low pH. Similar experiments in a natural soil found REE mobility to be even lower in that substrate, with complete REE retention even after the passage of up to 215 pore volumes of a 500 ppb REE solution. Aqueous REEs are therefore not expected to be highly mobile in the environment. The presence of natural or anthropogenic nanoparticles may affect REE behavior during leaching and/or transport. Measurements indicated that silica nanoparticles can increase the concentration of fluid-mobile REEs during E-waste leaching, but both plastic and silica nanoparticles have a negligible effect on REE transport. Ultimately, the experiments and analysis presented here suggest that the threat of REE pollution from E-waste is minimal except at specific sites with unusual environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Brewer
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel.
| | - Ishai Dror
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Brian Berkowitz
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
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Purchase D, Abbasi G, Bisschop L, Chatterjee D, Ekberg C, Ermolin M, Fedotov P, Garelick H, Isimekhai K, Kandile NG, Lundström M, Matharu A, Miller BW, Pineda A, Popoola OE, Retegan T, Ruedel H, Serpe A, Sheva Y, Surati KR, Walsh F, Wilson BP, Wong MH. Global occurrence, chemical properties, and ecological impacts of e-wastes (IUPAC Technical Report). PURE APPL CHEM 2020. [DOI: 10.1515/pac-2019-0502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
The waste stream of obsolete electronic equipment grows exponentially, creating a worldwide pollution and resource problem. Electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) comprises a heterogeneous mix of glass, plastics (including flame retardants and other additives), metals (including rare Earth elements), and metalloids. The e-waste issue is complex and multi-faceted. In examining the different aspects of e-waste, informal recycling in developing countries has been identified as a primary concern, due to widespread illegal shipments; weak environmental, as well as health and safety, regulations; lack of technology; and inadequate waste treatment structure. For example, Nigeria, Ghana, India, Pakistan, and China have all been identified as hotspots for the disposal of e-waste. This article presents a critical examination on the chemical nature of e-waste and the resulting environmental impacts on, for example, microbial biodiversity, flora, and fauna in e-waste recycling sites around the world. It highlights the different types of risk assessment approaches required when evaluating the ecological impact of e-waste. Additionally, it presents examples of chemistry playing a role in potential solutions. The information presented here will be informative to relevant stakeholders seeking to devise integrated management strategies to tackle this global environmental concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane Purchase
- Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology , Middlesex University , The Burroughs , London NW4 4BT , UK
| | | | - Lieselot Bisschop
- Erasmus Initiative on Dynamics of Inclusive Prosperity & Erasmus School of Law , Erasmus University Rotterdam , P.O. Box 1738 – 3000 DR , Rotterdam , Netherlands
| | - Debashish Chatterjee
- Faculty of Analytical Chemistry , University of Kalyani , Kalyani , Nadia , 741235 , India
| | - Christian Ekberg
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nuclear Chemistry and Industrial Materials Recycling , Chalmers University of Technology , SE-41296 , Göteborg , Sweden
| | - Mikhail Ermolin
- National University of Science and Technology “MISiS” , 4 Leninsky Prospect , Moscow , 119049 , Russia
| | - Petr Fedotov
- V.I. Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry , Russian Academy of Sciences , 19 Kosygin Street , Moscow , 119991 , Russia
| | - Hemda Garelick
- Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology , Middlesex University , The Burroughs , London NW4 4BT , UK
| | - Khadijah Isimekhai
- Ateda Ventures Limited , P.P. Box 13394 , Benin City , Edo State , Nigeria
| | - Nadia G. Kandile
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Women , Ain Shams University , Heliopolis , 11757 , Cairo , Egypt
| | - Mari Lundström
- Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering (CMET), School of Chemical Engineering , Aalto University , P.O. Box 16200 , AALTO , Finland
| | - Avtar Matharu
- Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence, Department of Chemistry , University of York , York , YO10 5DD , UK
| | | | - Antonio Pineda
- Departamento de Química Orgánica , Universidad de Córdoba, Edificio Marie Curie (C-3), Ctra Nnal IVa, Km 396 , Córdoba , E-14014 , Spain
| | - Oluseun E. Popoola
- Department of Chemical Science , Yaba College of Technology , Lagos , Nigeria
| | - Teodora Retegan
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nuclear Chemistry and Industrial Materials Recycling , Chalmers University of Technology , SE-41296 , Göteborg , Sweden
| | - Heinz Ruedel
- Department Environmental Specimen Bank and Elemental Analysis , Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (Fraunhofer IME) , Schmallenberg , 57392 , Germany
| | - Angela Serpe
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture (DICAAR) and INSTM Unit , University of Cagliari and Environmental Geology and Geoengineering Institute of the National Research Council (IGAG-CNR) , Via Marengo 2 , Cagliari , 09123 , Italy
| | | | - Kiran R. Surati
- Department of Chemistry , Sardar Patel University , Vallabh Vidyanagar , Anand , Gujarat , 388120 , India
| | - Fiona Walsh
- Maynooth University , Maynooth , Co Kildare , Ireland
| | - Benjamin P. Wilson
- Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering (CMET), School of Chemical Engineering , Aalto University , P.O. Box 16200 , AALTO , Finland
| | - Ming Hung Wong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control and State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Integrated Surface Water-Groundwater Pollution Control , Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China; Consortium on Health, Environment, Education and Research (CHEER), Department of Science and Environmental Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong , Tai Po , Hong Kong , China
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Soetrisno FN, Delgado-Saborit JM. Chronic exposure to heavy metals from informal e-waste recycling plants and children's attention, executive function and academic performance. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 717:137099. [PMID: 32092800 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
E-waste contains valuable metals that require appropriate waste management plans. However, rudimentary e-waste processing methods are a source of heavy metals environmental pollution. This study has characterised concentrations of heavy metals in soil (n = 10), water (n = 10) and hair (n = 44) of children in areas surrounding Jakarta (Indonesia), where e-waste is being or has been conducted in the past, and in a reference unexposed site. Chronic exposure to Mn, Pb, Hg, As and Cd and its associations with attention and executive function, characterised with the Trail Making Test (TMT), along with academic performance scores was conducted using multivariate regression analysis. Models were adjusted for age, gender, parental education, environmental tobacco smoke and residential traffic. Lead (3653 ± 3355 mg/kg), cadmium (3.4 ± 0.9 mg/kg) and mercury (15.2 ± 28.5 mg/kg) concentrations from soil and manganese concentrations in water (1.43 ± 0.64 mg/L) in the exposed sites were higher than current regulations. Heavy metal concentrations in hair of children living near e-waste facilities was higher than for children living in non-exposed areas (Pb: 0.155 ± 0.187 vs 0.0729 ± 0.08 mg/g; Mn: 0.130 ± 0.212 vs 0.018 ± 0.045 mg/g; Hg: 0.008 ± 0.0042 vs 0.002 ± 0.0011 mg/g) suggesting chronic exposure to heavy metals. Manganese exposure was associated with worse cognitive performance in the domains of attention (TMT-A score: 66 s, 95% CI 0.09, 132), executive function (TMT-B score: 105 s, 95% CI 11.5, 198) and social sciences (-29%, 95% CI -54, -4.7) (per unit of Mn in hair mg/g). These results suggest that informal e-waste activities contribute to local heavy metal soil contamination, and could be an important source of metal exposure to children living in the vicinity of these facilities with putative impacts on their cognitive performance. E-waste management regulation and remediation programmes should be implemented to reduce environmental pollution and associated health effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fitria Nurbaidah Soetrisno
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; BP Berau Ltd, Tangguh LNG, West Papua, Indonesia
| | - Juana Maria Delgado-Saborit
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; ISGlobal Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, Barcelona, Spain.
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10
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Zhang Y, O'Connor D, Xu W, Hou D. Blood lead levels among Chinese children: The shifting influence of industry, traffic, and e-waste over three decades. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 135:105379. [PMID: 31841805 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/30/2019] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
In China, data relating to the historic prevalence of childhood lead poisoning suggest its pervasiveness. This review analysed published epidemiological data on blood lead levels (BLLs) of 735,271 Chinese children aged 0-6 between 1987 and 2017. Among these children, the geometric mean (GM) BLL was 95.1 μg/L (geometric SD = 1.62), and 24.1% suffered lead poisoning (BLL ≥ 100 μg/L). Importantly, there was a temporal decrease in the GM BLL value, from 182.9 μg/L in 1987-1991 to 42.4 μg/L in 2012-2017. However, a rebound was seen in the most recent two years (2016 and 2017). Moreover, the GM BLL among Chinese children has not fallen as low as U.S. children. This indicates that either (1) leaded petrol or lead based-paint exposure sources have not been adequately controlled in China, or (2) other pollution sources, such as industry, traffic, and e-waste, are impacting Chinese children. Drivers behind spatio-temporal variations were explored to provide scientific evidence regarding the prevention of childhood lead poisoning. We found that BLLs among children in the central and eastern areas of China have dropped lower than those in the western area, and that the GM BLL of children living in rural areas now exceeds children in urban areas. These reversals may be associated with the industrial decentralization policy of the late 1980s, when many heavily polluting industries and manufacturers moved away from cities on the east coast. It was discovered that the BLLs of children living in areas associated with mining have remained high (GM BLL = 155.0 μg/L for 2007-2017), and that the lead poisoning rate (LPR) has become exceptionally high in areas associated with e-waste. Finally, the review offers a data comparison with other countries, an overview of potentially influencing factors and sources, as well as some suggested prevention strategies to reduce childhood lead exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhui Zhang
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - David O'Connor
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Wendi Xu
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Deyi Hou
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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11
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Mukai K, Fujimori T, Shiota K, Takaoka M. Quantitative speciation of insoluble chlorine in E-waste open burning soil: Implications of the presence of unidentified aromatic-Cl and insoluble chlorides. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 233:493-502. [PMID: 31185333 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.05.283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 05/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Open burning of electronic waste (E-waste) produces numerous organochlorine compounds (OCs). Although the presence of unidentified OCs has been suggested, the mass balance of identified and unidentified OCs in E-waste open burning soils (EOBSs) still remains unknown. In this study, the concentrations of Cl bonded with aromatic carbon (aromatic-Cl) and aliphatic carbon (aliphatic-Cl), and inorganic Cl in EOBSs were determined by focusing on chlorine (Cl) in water-insoluble fractions (insoluble Cl) and applying Cl K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy in conjunction with combustion ion chromatography. The concentrations of identified Cl (Cl in five individual OCs: polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans, chlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and chlorinated benzenes) were calculated from the concentrations previously reported for the same samples. The proportions of identified Cl were less than 1% to aromatic-Cl, indicating the abundance of unidentified OCs. The concentrations of both aromatic-Cl and identified Cl were highest in the sample collected from the site in Vietnam (VN), where wires and cables were mainly burned, suggesting that unidentified aromatic-Cl were produced through pathways similar to those of identified OCs, and the pathway could be related to burning of wires and cables. Further, insoluble Cu (II) compound, Cu2(OH)3Cl were assumed to be present in EOBSs and the concentration was highest in VN, implying that insoluble inorganic chlorides could be related to the formation of aromatic-Cl and identified Cl.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kota Mukai
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Japan
| | - Takashi Fujimori
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Japan; Department of Global Ecology, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nisikyo-ku, Kyoto, 615-8540, Japan.
| | - Kenji Shiota
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Japan
| | - Masaki Takaoka
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Japan; Department of Global Ecology, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nisikyo-ku, Kyoto, 615-8540, Japan
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12
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Xing W, Zhao Q, Scheckel KG, Zheng L, Li L. Inhalation bioaccessibility of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn and speciation of Pb in particulate matter fractions from areas with different pollution characteristics in Henan Province, China. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 175:192-200. [PMID: 30901636 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.03.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Windowsill particulate matter (PM) samples were collected from an area near large lead-smelting facilities in Jiyuan (JP), the urban area of Jiyuan (JU) and the peri-urban area of Mianchi (MC) in Henan, China to investigate the concentration and inhalation bioaccessibility of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. The <10 μm portions of the samples were extracted with simulated lung fluid to assess the in vitro inhalation bioaccessibility. Lower concentrations of heavy metals were found in the MC samples than in the JP and the JU samples. The average concentrations of Pb, Cd and Cu in the portions of the same size are in the order of JP samples > JU samples > MC samples. For Pb, Cd and Zn, the maximum inhalation bioaccessibility fraction values are all found in the MC samples, which ranged 3.87-8.79%, while those of the JP and the JU samples are <2%. The Pb speciation analysis with X-ray absorption spectrometry indicate mineral bound Pb, PbS and Pb3(PO4)2 are the predominant Pb species in the JP samples; for the JU sample, organic bound Pb is the predominant Pb species in the 45-125 μm portion, while mineral bound Pb is the predominant Pb species in the 10-45 μm portion; for the MC samples, organic bound Pb is the predominant Pb species, followed by PbS. The results indicate that there is significant accumulation of Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn associated with PM in the area near the lead smelter and in the urban area of Jiyuan, especially Pb and Cd, however, the inhalation bioaccessibility of these metals in samples from the lead smelting impacted area is low, this may be due to the higher proportion of less soluble species of the metals in the samples from this area. However, organic matter bound Pb found in some samples has higher bioaccessibility than other Pb species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqin Xing
- School of Chemistry and the Environment, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Qiang Zhao
- School of Chemistry and the Environment, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Kirk G Scheckel
- U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH, 45268, USA
| | - Lirong Zheng
- Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Liping Li
- School of Chemistry and the Environment, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China.
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Arain AL, Neitzel RL. A Review of Biomarkers Used for Assessing Human Exposure to Metals from E-Waste. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16101802. [PMID: 31117209 PMCID: PMC6572375 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16101802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Electronic waste recycling presents workers and communities with a potential for exposures to dangerous chemicals, including metals. This review examines studies that report on blood, hair, and urine biomarkers of communities and workers exposed to metals from e-waste. Our results from the evaluation of 19 publications found that there are consistently elevated levels of lead found in occupationally and non-occupationally exposed populations, in both the formal and the informal e-waste recycling sectors. Various other metals were found to be elevated in different exposure groups assessed using various types of biomarkers, but with less consistency than found in lead. Antimony and cadmium generally showed higher concentrations in exposed groups compared to reference group(s). Mercury and arsenic did not show a trend among exposure groups due to the dietary and environmental considerations. Observed variations in trends amongst exposure groups within studies using multiple biomarkers highlights the need to carefully select appropriate biomarkers. Our study concludes that there is a need for more rigorous research that moves past cross-sectional study designs, involves more thoughtful and methodical selection of biomarkers, and a systematic reporting standard for exposure studies to ensure that results can be compared across studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aubrey L Arain
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Richard L Neitzel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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WEEE Treatment in Developing Countries: Environmental Pollution and Health Consequences-An Overview. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16091595. [PMID: 31067685 PMCID: PMC6539380 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16091595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In the last few decades, the rapid technological evolution has led to a growing generation of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Not rarely, it has been exported from industrialized to developing countries, where it represents a secondary source of valuable materials such as gold, copper, and silver. The recycling of WEEE is often carried out without any environmental and health protection. This paper reviews recent literature dealing with the informal treatment of WEEE in developing regions, gathering and analyzing data on concentration of both inorganic and organic pollutants in the environment. Open burning practices are revealed as most polluting ‘technology’, followed by mechanical treatment and leaching. Significant levels of pollutants have been detected in human bodies, both children and adults, working in or living in areas with informal WEEE treatment.
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15
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Hydrophobic Organic Pollutants in Soils and Dusts at Electronic Waste Recycling Sites: Occurrence and Possible Impacts of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16030360. [PMID: 30696044 PMCID: PMC6388296 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16030360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Concerns about the adverse consequences of informal electronic waste (e-waste) recycling is increasing, because e-waste contains some hazardous substances such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) which is used as flame retardants in electronics. There is dearth of information on the concentrations of PBDEs and the pattern of distribution at the various e-waste recycling sites in Nigeria. This study therefore measured the concentrations of 13 PBDE congeners, in top soils (0–10 cm) and in various dust samples from different e-waste recycling sites (burning, dismantling, repair). PBDE concentrations at e-waste sites were compared with the concentrations in samples from corresponding control sites in three study locations in Nigeria (Lagos, Ibadan, and Aba). There were significant differences in the level of PBDEs congeners between each of the e-waste recycling sites and the corresponding control sites. The levels of PBDEs at the e-waste recycling sites exceeded the levels at the controls sites by a factor of 100 s to 1000 s. In general, PBDE concentrations at the e-waste sites decreased with the intensity of the e-waste recycling activities: burning sites > dismantling sites > repair sites > control sites. Our results suggest that the informal e-waste recycling has negative impacts on the enviroment and human health.
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Oguri T, Suzuki G, Matsukami H, Uchida N, Tue NM, Tuyen LH, Viet PH, Takahashi S, Tanabe S, Takigami H. Exposure assessment of heavy metals in an e-waste processing area in northern Vietnam. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 621:1115-1123. [PMID: 29079089 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.10.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Revised: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In developing countries, inappropriate recycling of e-waste has resulted in the environmental release of toxicants, including heavy metals, that may have deleterious health effects. In this study, we estimated daily metal intakes in five households in a Vietnamese village located in an e-waste processing area and assessed the health risk posed by exposure to the metals. Garden soil, floor dust, 24-h duplicate diet, and ambient air samples were collected from five households in northern Vietnam in January 2014. All samples were acid-digested, and contents of Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, Sb, and Zn were measured by using ICP mass spectrometry and ICP atomic emission spectroscopy. In addition, the soil, dust, and diet samples were subjected to an bioaccessibility extraction test to determine bioaccessible metal concentrations. Hazard quotients were estimated from bioaccessible metal concentrations, provisional tolerable weekly intakes, and reference doses. Garden soil and floor dust were estimated to be mainly contributors to daily Pb intake, as indicated by calculations using bioaccessible metal concentrations and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency soil plus dust ingestion rate. Diet was suggested to contribute significantly to daily Cd, Cu, Mn, Sb, and Zn intake. Estimated metal exposures via inhalation were negligible, as indicated by calculations using International Atomic Energy Agency reference inhalation rates. The maximum hazard quotients were calculated as 0.2 (Cd), 0.09 (Cu), 0.3 (Mn), 0.6 (Pb), 0.2 (Sb), and 0.5 (Zn), on the basis of bioaccessible metal concentrations. The contributions of Cd, Cu, Mn, Sb, and Zn except Pb to potential noncancer risk for adult residents of the five households in the e-waste processing area may be low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Oguri
- Center for Material Cycles and Waste Management Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan; Center for Health and Environmental Risk Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan.
| | - Go Suzuki
- Center for Material Cycles and Waste Management Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan
| | - Hidenori Matsukami
- Center for Material Cycles and Waste Management Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan
| | - Natsuyo Uchida
- Center for Material Cycles and Waste Management Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan
| | - Nguyen Minh Tue
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, Japan; Centre for Environmental Technology and Sustainable Development (CETASD), VNU University of Science, Viet Nam
| | - Le Huu Tuyen
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, Japan; Centre for Environmental Technology and Sustainable Development (CETASD), VNU University of Science, Viet Nam
| | - Pham Hung Viet
- Centre for Environmental Technology and Sustainable Development (CETASD), VNU University of Science, Viet Nam
| | - Shin Takahashi
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, Japan; Center of Advance Technology for the Environment, Faculty of Agriculture, Ehime University, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Tanabe
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, Japan
| | - Hidetaka Takigami
- Center for Material Cycles and Waste Management Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan
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18
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Hira M, Yadav S, Morthekai P, Linda A, Kumar S, Sharma A. Mobile Phones-An asset or a liability: A study based on characterization and assessment of metals in waste mobile phone components using leaching tests. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2018; 342:29-40. [PMID: 28822247 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2017.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2017] [Revised: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The prolonged use of old fashioned gadgets, especially mobile phones, is declining readily with the advancement in technology which ultimately lead to generation of e-waste. The present study investigates the concentrations of nine metals (Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Sn, and Zn) in various components of the mobile phones using Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP), Waste Extraction Test (WET) and Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure (SPLP). The results were compared with the threshold limits for hazardous waste defined by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (CDTSC) and United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The average concentrations of metals were found high in PWBs. WET was found relatively aggressive as compared to TCLP and SPLP. Redundancy analysis (RDA) suggests that part of mobile, extraction test, manufacturer, mobile model and year of manufacturing explain 34.66% of the variance. According to the present study, waste mobile phones must be considered as hazardous due to the potential adverse impact of toxic metals on human health and environment. However, mobile phones can be an asset as systematic extraction and recycling could reduce the demand of primary metals mining and conserve the natural resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenakshi Hira
- Department of Environmental Sciences, School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala-176215, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Sudesh Yadav
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Mehrauli Road-110067, New Delhi, India
| | - P Morthekai
- Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences,53 University Road, Lucknow-226007, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Anurag Linda
- Department of Environmental Sciences, School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala-176215, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Sushil Kumar
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Mehrauli Road-110067, New Delhi, India
| | - Anupam Sharma
- Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences,53 University Road, Lucknow-226007, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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Fujimori T, Taniguchi M, Agusa T, Shiota K, Takaoka M, Yoshida A, Terazono A, Ballesteros FC, Takigami H. Effect of lead speciation on its oral bioaccessibility in surface dust and soil of electronic-wastes recycling sites. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2018; 341:365-372. [PMID: 28802247 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2017.07.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/29/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We measured bioaccessible lead (Pb) in simulated gastrointestinal fluids containing Pb-contaminated soil or dust from electronic waste (e-waste) recycling sites to assess the risk of Pb ingestion. The physiologically based extraction test (PBET) was used as in vitro bioaccessibility assay. Pb speciation was determined using X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The total Pb concentrations in dusts (n=8) and soils (n=4) were in the range of 1630-131,000 and 239-7800mg/kg, respectively. Metallic Pb, a common component of e-waste, was ubiquitous in the samples. We also found Pb adsorbed onto goethite and as oxides and carbonate, implying soil mixing and weathering influences. Pb phosphate and organic species were only found in the soil samples, suggesting that formation was soil-specific. We identified other Pb compounds in several samples, including Pb silicate, Pb chromate, and Pb(II) hydrogen phosphate. A correlation analysis indicated that metallic Pb decreased bioaccessibility in the stomach, while a Pb speciation analysis revealed a low bioaccessibility for Pb phosphates and high bioaccessibility for organic Pb species. The health risk based on bioaccessible Pb was estimated to be much lower than that of total Pb due to the lower concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Fujimori
- Department of Global Ecology, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nisikyo-ku, Kyoto, 615-8540, Japan; Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nisikyo-ku, Kyoto, 615-8540, Japan.
| | - Masaya Taniguchi
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nisikyo-ku, Kyoto, 615-8540, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Agusa
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies, Ehime University, Bunkyo-cho 2-5, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
| | - Kenji Shiota
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nisikyo-ku, Kyoto, 615-8540, Japan
| | - Masaki Takaoka
- Department of Global Ecology, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nisikyo-ku, Kyoto, 615-8540, Japan; Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nisikyo-ku, Kyoto, 615-8540, Japan
| | - Aya Yoshida
- Center for Material Cycles and Waste Management Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, 305-8506, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Atsushi Terazono
- Center for Material Cycles and Waste Management Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, 305-8506, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Florencio C Ballesteros
- Environmental Engineering Graduate Program, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, 1101, Philippines
| | - Hidetaka Takigami
- Center for Material Cycles and Waste Management Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, 305-8506, Ibaraki, Japan
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Bakhiyi B, Gravel S, Ceballos D, Flynn MA, Zayed J. Has the question of e-waste opened a Pandora's box? An overview of unpredictable issues and challenges. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 110:173-192. [PMID: 29122313 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2017.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Revised: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Despite regulatory efforts and position papers, electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) remains ill-managed as evidenced by the extremely low rates of proper e-waste recycling (e-recycling) worldwide, ongoing illegal shipments to developing countries and constantly reported human health issues and environmental pollution. The objectives of this review are, first, to expose the complexity of e-waste problems, and then to suggest possible upstream and downstream solutions. Exploring e-waste issues is akin to opening a Pandora's box. Thus, a review of prevailing e-waste management practices reveals complex and often intertwined gaps, issues and challenges. These include the absence of any consistent definition of e-waste to date, a prevalent toxic potential still involving already banned or restricted hazardous components such as heavy metals and persistent and bioaccumulative organic compounds, a relentless growth in e-waste volume fueled by planned obsolescence and unsustainable consumption, problematic e-recycling processes, a fragile formal e-recycling sector, sustained and more harmful informal e-recycling practices, and more convoluted and unpredictable patterns of illegal e-waste trade. A close examination of the e-waste legacy contamination reveals critical human health concerns, including significant occupational exposure during both formal and informal e-recycling, and persistent environmental contamination, particularly in some developing countries. However, newly detected e-waste contaminants as well as unexpected sources and environmental fates of contaminants are among the emerging issues that raise concerns. Moreover, scientific knowledge gaps remain regarding the complexity and magnitude of the e-waste legacy contamination, specifically, a comprehensive characterization of e-waste contaminants, information on the scale of legacy contamination in developing countries and on the potential environmental damage in developed countries, and a stronger body of evidence of adverse health effects specifically ascribed to e-waste contaminants. However, the knowledge accumulated to date is sufficient to raise awareness and concern among all stakeholders. Potential solutions to curb e-waste issues should be addressed comprehensively, by focusing on two fronts: upstream and downstream. Potential upstream solutions should focus on more rational and eco-oriented consumer habits in order to decrease e-waste quantities while fostering ethical and sustained commitments from manufacturers, which include a limited usage of hazardous compounds and an optimal increase in e-waste recyclability. At the downstream level, solutions should include suitable and pragmatic actions to progressively reduce the illegal e-waste trade particularly through international cooperation and coordination, better enforcement of domestic laws, and monitoring in both exporting and receiving countries, along with the supervised integration of the informal sector into the recycling system of developing countries and global expansion of formal e-waste collection and recycling activities. Downstream solutions should also introduce stronger reverse logistics, together with upgraded, more affordable, and eco-friendly and worker-friendly e-recycling technologies to ensure that benefits are derived fully and safely from the great economic potential of e-waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bouchra Bakhiyi
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sabrina Gravel
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Institut de Recherche Robert-Sauvé en Santé et en Sécurité du Travail (IRSST), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Diana Ceballos
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael A Flynn
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Joseph Zayed
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Institut de Recherche Robert-Sauvé en Santé et en Sécurité du Travail (IRSST), Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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Murata T, Koshikawa MK, Watanabe M, Hou H, Takamatsu T. Migration of Ag, In, Sn, Sb, and Bi and Their Chemical Forms in a Monolith Lysimeter Filled with a Contaminated Andosol. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2018; 74:154-169. [PMID: 28791460 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-017-0437-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite the wide use of trace metals in various technologies, such as chemical industries and electronic equipment, insufficient information is available on their behavior in the environment. We investigated changes in chemical forms and vertical distribution during the migration processes of trace metals, whose usage is currently increasing rapidly, such as Ag, In, Sn, Sb, and Bi, in soil contaminated with the equivalent of 50-100 times the background concentrations of these metals using an indoor control type monolith lysimeter filled with Andosol during an 8-year monitoring period. The vertical distribution of the total elemental concentrations, the mobile fractions (exchangeable, carbonate-bound, and metal-organic complex-bound) in soils, and the total elemental concentrations in soil solutions were analyzed to study trace metal migration in soil. Except for In, most of the added metals were retained in the uppermost (0-2 cm) soil layer, even after 8 years. However, In markedly migrated downward and accumulated at a depth of approximately 15 cm after 8 years. Furthermore, 10.0 ± 2.9 μg L-1 of In was detected in soil solution at a depth of 17.5 cm. The mobility of In was probably caused by the acidity of the soil, because the pH of the soil between 0 and 15-cm depth was 5 and below, and soluble hydro-oxides, such as In(OH) 30 aq and In(OH) 2+ , might be produced at this pH. Consequently, the remarkable mobility of In occurred in Andosol, which strongly retains various trace metals. The proportions of the mobile fractions observed in this study indicated that the mobility of the five metals in Andosol occurred in the order In > Bi ≥ Sb ≥ Sn > Ag.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyoshi Murata
- Center for Regional Environmental Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Onogawa 16-2, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan.
| | - Masami K Koshikawa
- Center for Regional Environmental Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Onogawa 16-2, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan
| | - Mirai Watanabe
- Center for Regional Environmental Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Onogawa 16-2, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan
| | - Hong Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, No. 8 Dayangfang, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Takejiro Takamatsu
- Center for Regional Environmental Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Onogawa 16-2, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan
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Ackah M. Informal E-waste recycling in developing countries: review of metal(loid)s pollution, environmental impacts and transport pathways. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:24092-24101. [PMID: 28944434 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-0273-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Crude or primitive recycling practices are often adopted in material resource recovery from E-waste in developing nations. Significant human health and environmental impacts may occur because of such practices. Literature on metal(loid)s pollution during E-waste processing is fragmented. Here, I review the health and environmental impacts of E-waste recycling operations and transport pathways of metal(loid)s, dispersed during operations. This paper is organised into five sections. Section 1 relates to the background of global E-waste generation and legal/illegal trade, citing specific cases from Ghana and other developing nations. Section 2 provides a brief information on sources of metal(loid)s in E-waste. Section 3 describes characteristics of informal E-waste recycling operations in developing nations. Section 4 examines the health and environmental impacts in E-waste recycling while section 5 evaluates major transport pathways of metal(loid)s contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Ackah
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University, 12 Wally Walk, North Ryde, Sydney, 2109, Australia.
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Tokumaru T, Ozaki H, Onwona-Agyeman S, Ofosu-Anim J, Watanabe I. Determination of the Extent of Trace Metals Pollution in Soils, Sediments and Human Hair at e-Waste Recycling Site in Ghana. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2017; 73:377-390. [PMID: 28770281 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-017-0434-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The concentrations of trace elements (Mg, Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Y, Mo, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Cs, Ba, Tl, Pb, and Bi) in soils, sediment, human hair, and foodstuff collected around the electronic waste (e-waste) recycling sites in Accra, Ghana were detected using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). High levels of Cu, Zn, Mo, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, and Pb were observed in soils collected from the e-waste recycling sites. Four sequential extraction procedures were used to evaluate the mobility and bioavailability of metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, Sb, and Pb). Especially, the results showed that Cd and Zn in soils were mostly recovered in exchangeable fraction (respectively 58.9 and 62.8%). Sediment collected from around the site had enrichment of Zn, Sn, Sb, Mo, In, Pb, and Bi. The concentrations of Cu, Mo, Cd, Sb, and Pb in human hair were significantly higher than those collected from the control site (p < 0.01). Additionally, hierarchical cluster analysis reviewed that these elements were derived from e-waste activities. The results of Pb isotopic ratios in the samples indicate that Pb in human hair possibly originated from contaminated soils, fish, and foodstuff.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Tokumaru
- The Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Ozaki
- Center for Higher Educational Development, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan
| | - Siaw Onwona-Agyeman
- The Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan
| | | | - Izumi Watanabe
- The Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan.
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Nishimura C, Horii Y, Tanaka S, Asante KA, Ballesteros F, Viet PH, Itai T, Takigami H, Tanabe S, Fujimori T. Occurrence, profiles, and toxic equivalents of chlorinated and brominated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in E-waste open burning soils. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 225:252-260. [PMID: 28343715 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.10.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Revised: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/29/2016] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
We conducted this study to assess the occurrence, profiles, and toxicity of chlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Cl-PAHs) and brominated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Br-PAHs) in e-waste open burning soils (EOBS). In this study, concentrations of 15 PAHs, 26 Cl-PAHs and 14 Br-PAHs were analyzed in EOBS samples. We found that e-waste open burning is an important emission source of Cl-PAHs and Br-PAHs as well as PAHs. Concentrations of total Cl-PAHs and Br-PAHs in e-waste open burning soil samples ranged from 21 to 2800 ng/g and from 5.8 to 520 ng/g, respectively. Compared with previous studies, the mean of total Cl-PAH concentrations of the EOBS samples in this study was higher than that of electronic shredder waste, that of bottom ash, and comparable to fly ash from waste incinerators in Korea and Japan. The mean of total Br-PAH concentrations of the EOBS samples was generally three to four orders of magnitude higher than those in incinerator bottom ash and comparable to incinerator fly ash, although the number of Br-PAH congeners measured differed among studies. We also found that the Cl-PAH and Br-PAH profiles were similar among all e-waste open burning soil samples but differed from those in waste incinerator fly ash. The profiles and principal component analysis results suggested a unique mechanism of Cl-PAH and Br-PAH formation in EOBS. In addition, the Cl-PAHs and Br-PAHs showed high toxicities equivalent to PCDD/Fs measured in same EOBS samples when calculated based on their relative potencies to benzo[a]pyrene. Along with chlorinated and brominated dioxins and PAHs, Cl-PAHs and Br-PAHs are important environmental pollutants to investigate in EOBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiya Nishimura
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, 615-8540, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuichi Horii
- Center for Environmental Science in Saitama, 347-0115, Saitama, Japan
| | - Shuhei Tanaka
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, 615-8540, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Technology and Ecology, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, 606-8501, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | - Florencio Ballesteros
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, 1101, Metro Manila, Philippines
| | - Pham Hung Viet
- Center for Environmental Technology and Sustainable Development, Hanoi University of Science, 334 Nguyen Trai, Hanoi, Viet Nam
| | - Takaaki Itai
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies, Ehime University, 790-8577, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Hidetaka Takigami
- Center for Material Cycles and Waste Management Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 305-8506, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Tanabe
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies, Ehime University, 790-8577, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Takashi Fujimori
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, 615-8540, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Global Ecology, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, 615-8540, Kyoto, Japan.
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He CT, Zheng XB, Yan X, Zheng J, Wang MH, Tan X, Qiao L, Chen SJ, Yang ZY, Mai BX. Organic contaminants and heavy metals in indoor dust from e-waste recycling, rural, and urban areas in South China: Spatial characteristics and implications for human exposure. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2017; 140:109-115. [PMID: 28254720 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.02.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Revised: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The concentrations of several organic contaminants (OCs) and heavy metals were measured in indoor dust from e-waste recycling, rural, and urban areas in South China to illustrate the spatial characteristics of these pollutants and to further evaluate human exposure risks. The median concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), and dechlorane plus (DPs) were 38.6-3560, 2360-30,100, 665-2720, and 19.5-1860ng/g, while the median concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, and Zn were 2.46-40.4, 206-1380, 217- 1200, 25.3-134, and 176-212μg/g in indoor dust. The levels of all pollutants, except Zn, in dust from the e-waste recycling area were significantly higher than those from the other areas. Cd, Pb, and most OCs exhibited similar pollution patterns in the three areas, indicating that e-waste recycling activities are the major pollution source. In contrast, Cu, Cr, Zn, and penta-BDE are likely derived from household products in the rural and urban areas. The highest estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of PCBs, PBDEs, DBDPE, and DPs were 0.15-163, 3.97-1470, 1.26-169, and 0.11-134ng/kg bw/day for toddlers and adults. The highest EDIs of BDE 209 and Pb in toddlers in the e-waste recycling area were 16% and 18 times higher than the reference doses, indicating the high exposure risk of these pollutants in the e-waste recycling area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Tao He
- Laboratory for Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sunat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Xiao-Bo Zheng
- College of Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Xiao Yan
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Jing Zheng
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Guangzhou 510655, China.
| | - Mei-Huan Wang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Xiao Tan
- Laboratory for Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sunat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Lin Qiao
- Laboratory for Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sunat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - She-Jun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Zhong-Yi Yang
- Laboratory for Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sunat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
| | - Bi-Xian Mai
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
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Leyssens L, Vinck B, Van Der Straeten C, Wuyts F, Maes L. Cobalt toxicity in humans-A review of the potential sources and systemic health effects. Toxicology 2017; 387:43-56. [PMID: 28572025 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2017.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 409] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Revised: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cobalt (Co) and its compounds are widely distributed in nature and are part of numerous anthropogenic activities. Although cobalt has a biologically necessary role as metal constituent of vitamin B12, excessive exposure has been shown to induce various adverse health effects. This review provides an extended overview of the possible Co sources and related intake routes, the detection and quantification methods for Co intake and the interpretation thereof, and the reported health effects. The Co sources were allocated to four exposure settings: occupational, environmental, dietary and medical exposure. Oral intake of Co supplements and internal exposure through metal-on-metal (MoM) hip implants deliver the highest systemic Co concentrations. The systemic health effects are characterized by a complex clinical syndrome, mainly including neurological (e.g. hearing and visual impairment), cardiovascular and endocrine deficits. Recently, a biokinetic model has been proposed to characterize the dose-response relationship and effects of chronic exposure. According to the model, health effects are unlikely to occur at blood Co concentrations under 300μg/l (100μg/l respecting a safety factor of 3) in healthy individuals, hematological and endocrine dysfunctions are the primary health endpoints, and chronic exposure to acceptable doses is not expected to pose considerable health hazards. However, toxic reactions at lower doses have been described in several cases of malfunctioning MoM hip implants, which may be explained by certain underlying pathologies that increase the individual susceptibility for Co-induced systemic toxicity. This may be associated with a decrease in Co bound to serum proteins and an increase in free ionic Co2+. As the latter is believed to be the primary toxic form, monitoring of the free fraction of Co2+ might be advisable for future risk assessment. Furthermore, future research should focus on longitudinal studies in the clinical setting of MoM hip implant patients to further elucidate the dose-response discrepancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Leyssens
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Ghent (Belgium), Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, University Hospital Ghent, policlinic 1 floor 2, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Bart Vinck
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Ghent (Belgium), Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, University Hospital Ghent, policlinic 1 floor 2, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Faculty of Humanities, University of Pretoria (South Africa), Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Aula Theatre,University Road, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.
| | - Catherine Van Der Straeten
- Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Department of Surgery & Cancer, Musculoskeletal Sciences and Technology, Imperial College London, Charing Cross Campus,7L21 Lab Block, London SW7 2AZ, UK; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Ghent (Belgium), De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Floris Wuyts
- Antwerp University Research center for Equilibrium and Aerospace (AUREA), Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Antwerp, Campus Groenenborger, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Physics, University of Antwerp (Belgium), Campus Groenenborger, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Leen Maes
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Ghent (Belgium), Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, University Hospital Ghent, policlinic 1 floor 2, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Clinical audiology department, University Hospital Ghent, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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Borthakur A, Singh P. Researches on informal E-waste recycling sector: It's time for a 'Lab to Land' approach. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2017; 323:730-732. [PMID: 27052480 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2016.03.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2015] [Revised: 03/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Anwesha Borthakur
- Centre for Studies in Science Policy, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi 110067, India.
| | - Pardeep Singh
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology-Banaras Hindu University (IIT-BHU), Varanasi 221005, India.
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28
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Yekeen TA, Xu X, Zhang Y, Wu Y, Kim S, Reponen T, Dietrich KN, Ho SM, Chen A, Huo X. Assessment of health risk of trace metal pollution in surface soil and road dust from e-waste recycling area in China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:17511-24. [PMID: 27230155 PMCID: PMC5316230 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-6896-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Informal recycling of e-waste and the resulting heavy metal pollution has become a serious burden on the ecosystem in Guiyu, China. In this investigation, we evaluated the trace metal concentration of community soil and road dust samples from 11 locations in Guiyu and 5 locations (consisting of residential areas, kindergarten/school, and farm field) in a reference area using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The study spanned four seasons, 2012-2013, with a view to assess the risk associated with e-waste recycling in the study area. The concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cr, and Mn were 448.73, 0.71, 63.90, and 806.54 mg/kg in Guiyu soil and 589.74, 1.94, 69.71, and 693.74 mg/kg, in the dust, respectively. Pb and Cd values were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) than the reference area, and the mixed model analysis with repeated seasonal measurements revealed soil Pb and Cd levels that were 2.32 and 4.34 times, while the ratios for dust sample were 4.10 and 3.18 times higher than the reference area. Contamination factor, degree of contamination, and pollution load index indicated that all sampling points had a high level of metal contamination except farm land and kindergarten compound. The cumulative hazard index of Pb, Cd, Cr, and Mn for children in exposed area was 0.99 and 1.62 for soil and dust, respectively, suggesting non-cancer health risk potential. The significant accumulation of trace metals in the e-waste recycling area predisposes human life, especially children, to a potentially serious health risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taofeek Akangbe Yekeen
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, 515041, China
| | - Xijin Xu
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, 515041, China
| | - Yuling Zhang
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, 515041, China
| | - Yousheng Wu
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, 515041, China
| | - Stephani Kim
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Tiina Reponen
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Kim N Dietrich
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Shuk-Mei Ho
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Aimin Chen
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA.
| | - Xia Huo
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, 515041, China.
- School of Environment, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Jinan, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
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Awasthi AK, Zeng X, Li J. Environmental pollution of electronic waste recycling in India: A critical review. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2016; 211:259-70. [PMID: 26774773 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2015.11.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Revised: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 11/19/2015] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The rapid growth of the production of electrical and electronic products has meant an equally rapid growth in the amount of electronic waste (e-waste), much of which is illegally imported to India, for disposal presenting a serious environmental challenge. The environmental impact during e-waste recycling was investigated and metal as well as other pollutants [e.g. polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)] were found in excessive levels in soil, water and other habitats. The most e-waste is dealt with as general or crudely often by open burning, acid baths, with recovery of only a few materials of value. As resulted of these process; dioxins, furans, and heavy metals are released and harmful to the surrounding environment, engaged workers, and also residents inhabiting near the sites. The informal e-waste sectors are growing rapidly in the developing countries over than in the developed countries because of cheapest labor cost and week legislations systems. It has been confirmed that contaminates are moving through the food chain via root plant translocation system, to the human body thereby threatening human health. We have suggested some possible solution toward in which plants and microbes combine to remediate highly contaminated sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Kumar Awasthi
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xianlai Zeng
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jinhui Li
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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30
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Zhao W, Ding L, Gu X, Luo J, Liu Y, Guo L, Shi Y, Huang T, Cheng S. Levels and ecological risk assessment of metals in soils from a typical e-waste recycling region in southeast China. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2015; 24:1947-1960. [PMID: 26318052 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-015-1532-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/22/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Due to the high threat to human health and the ecosystem from metals, the levels and distribution of As, Hg, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Mn, V, Sn, Sb, Li and Be in various layers of soil from an e-waste recycling area in Guiyu, China were investigated. The extent of pollution from the metals in soil was assessed using enrichment factors (EFs) and the Nemerow pollution index (P N ). To determine the metals' integrated potential ecological risks, the potential ecological risk index (RI) was chosen. The concentrations of Hg, Ni, Cu, Cd, Pb, Sn and Sb were mainly enriched in the topsoil. EF values (2-5) of the elements Hg, Co, Ni, Zn, Sn, Li and Be revealed their moderate enrichment status in the topsoil, derived from e-waste recycling activities. P N presented a decreasing trend in different layers in the order topsoil (0-20 cm) > deep soil (100-150 cm) > middle soil (50-100 cm) > shallow soil (20-50 cm). With higher potential ecological risk factor (E(i)), Hg and Cd are the main contributors to the potential ecological risk. With respect to the RI, all the values in soil from the study area exceeded 300, especially for the soil at sites S2, S4, S5, S7 and S8, where RI was greater than 600. Therefore, immediate remediation of the contaminated soil is necessary to prevent the release of metals and potential ecological harm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weituo Zhao
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Ding
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaowen Gu
- School of Earth Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Jie Luo
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunlang Liu
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Guo
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Shi
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Huang
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Shenggao Cheng
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China.
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31
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Xu F, Liu Y, Wang J, Zhang G, Zhang W, Liu L, Wang J, Pan B, Lin K. Characterization of heavy metals and brominated flame retardants in the indoor and outdoor dust of e-waste workshops: implication for on-site human exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 22:5469-5480. [PMID: 25369920 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-3773-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2014] [Accepted: 10/24/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Forty-four indoor and outdoor dust samples were collected from e-waste workshops and were analyzed to characterize the heavy metals and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) as well as on-site human exposure. The results showed that the most abundant Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) congener from three sites was deca-BDE, and it was penta-BDE for the other site. A significant and positive association was found between BDE-209 and decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE). The high percentage of nona-BDE indicated the debromination of deca-BDE during e-waste recycling. The ratio comparison of BDE-47 to (BDE-100 + BDE-99) indicated that the outdoor dust went through more physiochemical processes. The enrichment factors for Cu and Pb were high in both the indoor and outdoor samples. Cd significantly exceeded the Chinese soil guideline grade III. The PCA results combined with the enrichment factor (EF) values suggested common sources and behaviours of Cu, Pb and Sb in the indoor dust. Co, Cr, Ni, Zn and Mn in the outdoor samples were more likely affected by crust. Strong correlations were found only for Pb and Sb with polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The hazard index for on-site human exposure to Pb was at a chronic risk. Despite the low deleterious risk of BFRs, concern should be given to DBDPE; the chronic toxicity of which is not known.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Xu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, No. 130, Mei Long Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
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Julander A, Lundgren L, Skare L, Grandér M, Palm B, Vahter M, Lidén C. Formal recycling of e-waste leads to increased exposure to toxic metals: an occupational exposure study from Sweden. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2014; 73:243-51. [PMID: 25300751 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2014.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2014] [Revised: 07/02/2014] [Accepted: 07/04/2014] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) contains multiple toxic metals. However, there is currently a lack of exposure data for metals on workers in formal recycling plants. The objective of this study was to evaluate workers' exposure to metals, using biomarkers of exposure in combination with monitoring of personal air exposure. We assessed exposure to 20 potentially toxic metals among 55 recycling workers and 10 office workers at three formal e-waste recycling plants in Sweden. Workers at two of the plants were followed-up after 6 months. We collected the inhalable fraction and OFC (37-mm) fraction of particles, using personal samplers, as well as spot samples of blood and urine. We measured metal concentrations in whole blood, plasma, urine, and air filters using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry following acid digestion. The air sampling indicated greater airborne exposure, 10 to 30 times higher, to most metals among the recycling workers handling e-waste than among the office workers. The exposure biomarkers showed significantly higher concentrations of chromium, cobalt, indium, lead, and mercury in blood, urine, and/or plasma of the recycling workers, compared with the office workers. Concentrations of antimony, indium, lead, mercury, and vanadium showed close to linear associations between the inhalable particle fraction and blood, plasma, or urine. In conclusion, our study of formal e-waste recycling shows that workers performing recycling tasks are exposed to multiple toxic metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anneli Julander
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Lennart Lundgren
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Applied Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lizbet Skare
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Margaretha Grandér
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Brita Palm
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marie Vahter
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carola Lidén
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
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Hadi P, Xu M, Lin CSK, Hui CW, McKay G. Waste printed circuit board recycling techniques and product utilization. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2014; 283:234-243. [PMID: 25285997 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2014.09.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2014] [Revised: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 09/08/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
E-waste, in particular waste PCBs, represents a rapidly growing disposal problem worldwide. The vast diversity of highly toxic materials for landfill disposal and the potential of heavy metal vapors and brominated dioxin emissions in the case of incineration render these two waste management technologies inappropriate. Also, the shipment of these toxic wastes to certain areas of the world for eco-unfriendly "recycling" has recently generated a major public outcry. Consequently, waste PCB recycling should be adopted by the environmental communities as an ultimate goal. This article reviews the recent trends and developments in PCB waste recycling techniques, including both physical and chemical recycling. It is concluded that the physical recycling techniques, which efficiently separate the metallic and nonmetallic fractions of waste PCBs, offer the most promising gateways for the environmentally-benign recycling of this waste. Moreover, although the reclaimed metallic fraction has gained more attention due to its high value, the application of the nonmetallic fraction has been neglected in most cases. Hence, several proposed applications of this fraction have been comprehensively examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pejman Hadi
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Meng Xu
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Carol S K Lin
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Chi-Wai Hui
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Gordon McKay
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Division of Sustainable Development, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.
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Fujimori T, Takigami H. Pollution distribution of heavy metals in surface soil at an informal electronic-waste recycling site. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2014; 36:159-168. [PMID: 23645478 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-013-9526-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2012] [Accepted: 04/27/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
We studied distribution of heavy metals [lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn)] in surface soil at an electronic-waste (e-waste) recycling workshop near Metro Manila in the Philippines to evaluate the pollution size (spot size, small area or the entire workshop), as well as to assess heavy metal transport into the surrounding soil environment. On-site length-of-stride-scale (~70 cm) measurements were performed at each surface soil point using field-portable X-ray fluorescence (FP-XRF). The surface soil at the e-waste recycling workshop was polluted with Cu, Zn and Pb, which were distributed discretely in surface soil. The site was divided into five areas based on the distance from an entrance gate (y-axis) of the e-waste recycling workshop. The three heavy metals showed similar concentration gradients in the y-axis direction. Zn, Pb and Cu concentrations were estimated to decrease to half of their maximum concentrations at ~3, 7 and 7 m from the pollution spot, respectively, inside the informal e-waste recycling workshop. Distance from an entrance may play an important role in heavy metal transport at the soil surface. Using on-site FP-XRF, we evaluated the metal ratio to characterise pollution features of the solid surface. Variability analysis of heavy metals revealed vanishing surficial autocorrelation over metre ranges. Also, the possibility of concentration prediction at unmeasured points using geostatistical kriging was evaluated, and heavy metals had a relative "small" pollution scales and remained inside the original workshop compared with toxic organohalogen compounds. Thus, exposure to heavy metals may directly influence the health of e-waste workers at the original site rather than the surrounding habitat and environmental media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Fujimori
- Center for Material Cycles and Waste Management Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan,
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Shin SK, Kim WI, Jeon TW, Kang YY, Jeong SK, Yeon JM, Somasundaram S. Hazardous waste characterization among various thermal processes in South Korea: a comparative analysis. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2013; 260:157-166. [PMID: 23747474 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2013.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2013] [Revised: 04/17/2013] [Accepted: 05/12/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea (South Korea) is in progress of converting its current hazardous waste classification system to harmonize it with the international standard and to set-up the regulatory standards for toxic substances present in the hazardous waste. In the present work, the concentrations along with the trend of 13 heavy metals, F(-), CN(-) and 19 PAH present in the hazardous waste generated among various thermal processes (11 processes) in South Korea were analyzed along with their leaching characteristics. In all thermal processes, the median concentrations of Cu (3.58-209,000 mg/kg), Ni (BDL-1560 mg/kg), Pb (7.22-5132.25mg/kg) and Zn (83.02-31419 mg/kg) were comparatively higher than the other heavy metals. Iron & Steel thermal process showed the highest median value of the heavy metals Cd (14.76 mg/kg), Cr (166.15 mg/kg) and Hg (2.38 mg/kg). Low molecular weight PAH (BDL-37.59 mg/kg) was predominant in sludge & filter cake samples present in most of the thermal processes. Comparatively flue gas dust present in most of the thermal processing units resulted in the higher leaching of the heavy metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun Kyoung Shin
- Resource Recirculation Research Division, Environmental Resources Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Hwangyeong-ro 42, Seo-gu, Incheon 404-708, Republic of Korea
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Liu M, Huang B, Bi X, Ren Z, Sheng G, Fu J. Heavy metals and organic compounds contamination in soil from an e-waste region in South China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2013; 15:919-29. [PMID: 23558980 DOI: 10.1039/c3em00043e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were analyzed in 34 surface soil samples collected from farmland and 7 soil or dust samples collected from the workshops in South China, where e-waste was dismantled using primitive techniques. The results show that Cd, Cu and Hg were the most abundant metals, in particular Cd pollution was serious in farmland soils, and the median concentrations in farmland soils were beyond the environmental quality standard for soils (China Grade II). A correlation between Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb and PCBs or PBDEs was significant indicating similar sources. Among the PCB congeners, high relative similarity was observed between the e-waste dump site soil (EW1) and Aroclor 1254, implying that the technical product Aroclor 1254 was one of the major sources of PCB contamination. High concentrations of PCBs in workshop dusts (D2 and D3) (1958 and 1675 μg kg(-1)) demonstrated that the workshops dismantling electrical wires and cables, electrical motors, compressors and aluminum apparatus containing PCBs in lubricants represent strong PCB emission sources to this area. Principal component analysis (PCA) and PBDE homologue patterns verify that farmland soils surrounding the e-waste recycling sites were enriched with lower brominated congeners, and the major source of PBDEs in dust samples might potentially be associated with the extensive use of deca-mix technical products as a flame retardant. The difference between e-waste soils, dusts and farmland soils can be observed in the PCA score plot of PCBs and PBDEs, and E-waste soils and dusts exhibited more diversity than farmland soils. Furthermore, a prediction of the particular kinds of pollution from different recycling activities through the analysis of each contamination and the connections between them was investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, People's Republic of China.
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Fujimori T, Takigami H, Takaoka M. Organochlorines in surface soil at electronic-waste wire burning sites and metal contribution evaluated using quantitative X-ray speciation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/430/1/012094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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