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He Y, Kiehbadroudinezhad M, Hosseinzadeh-Bandbafha H, Gupta VK, Peng W, Lam SS, Tabatabaei M, Aghbashlo M. Driving sustainable circular economy in electronics: A comprehensive review on environmental life cycle assessment of e-waste recycling. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 342:123081. [PMID: 38072018 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
E-waste, encompassing discarded materials from outdated electronic equipment, often ends up intermixed with municipal solid waste, leading to improper disposal through burial and incineration. This improper handling releases hazardous substances into water, soil, and air, posing significant risks to ecosystems and human health, ultimately entering the food chain and water supply. Formal e-waste recycling, guided by circular economy models and zero-discharge principles, offers potential solutions to this critical challenge. However, implementing a circular economy for e-waste management due to chemical and energy consumption may cause environmental impacts. Consequently, advanced sustainability assessment tools, such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), have been applied to investigate e-waste management strategies. While LCA is a standardized methodology, researchers have employed various routes for environmental assessment of different e-waste management methods. However, to the authors' knowledge, there lacks a comprehensive study focusing on LCA studies to discern the opportunities and limitations of this method in formal e-waste management strategies. Hence, this review aims to survey the existing literature on the LCA of e-waste management under a circular economy, shedding light on the current state of research, identifying research gaps, and proposing future research directions. It first explains various methods of managing e-waste in the circular economy. This review then evaluates and scrutinizes the LCA approach in implementing the circular bioeconomy for e-waste management. Finally, it proposes frameworks and procedures to enhance the applicability of the LCA method to future e-waste management research. The literature on the LCA of e-waste management reveals a wide variation in implementing LCA in formal e-waste management, resulting in diverse results and findings in this field. This paper underscores that LCA can pinpoint the environmental hotspots for various pathways of formal e-waste recycling, particularly focusing on metals. It can help address these concerns and achieve greater sustainability in e-waste recycling, especially in pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical pathways. The recovery of high-value metals is more environmentally justified compared to other metals. However, biometallurgical pathways remain limited in terms of environmental studies. Despite the potential for recycling e-waste into plastic or glass, there is a dearth of robust background in LCA studies within this sector. This review concludes that LCA can offer valuable insights for decision-making and policy processes on e-waste management, promoting environmentally sound e-waste recycling practices. However, the accuracy of LCA results in e-waste recycling, owing to data requirements, subjectivity, impact category weighting, and other factors, remains debatable, emphasizing the need for more uncertainty analysis in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifeng He
- Henan Province International Collaboration Lab of Forest Resources Utilization, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | | | | | - Vijai Kumar Gupta
- Centre for Safe and Improved Food, SRUC, Kings Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, United Kingdom; Biorefining and Advanced Materials Research Centre, SRUC, Barony Campus, Parkgate, Dumfries DG1 3NE, United Kingdom
| | - Wanxi Peng
- Henan Province Engineering Research Center for Biomass Value-Added Products, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Su Shiung Lam
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia; Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Meisam Tabatabaei
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia; Department of Biomaterials, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, 600 077, India.
| | - Mortaza Aghbashlo
- Henan Province Engineering Research Center for Biomass Value-Added Products, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China; Department of Mechanical Engineering of Agricultural Machinery, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
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Burgos Melo HD, de Souza-Araujo J, Benavides Garzón LG, Macedo JC, Cardoso R, Mancini SD, Harrad S, Rosa AH. Concentrations and legislative aspects of PBDEs in plastic of waste electrical and electronic equipment in Brazil. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167349. [PMID: 37769718 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) have been widely used as additives in polymeric products such as electronic and electrical equipment (EEE) to help meet fire safety regulations. However, some BFRs like polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), are now listed under the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and banned in many countries, due to their adverse health impacts, environmental persistence, and capacity for bioaccumulation and long-range atmospheric transport. Despite this, in Brazil, only a few studies exist of the presence of these contaminants in the environment, and even fewer in waste EEE (WEEE). Against this backdrop, this study measured the presence of PBDEs in samples (n = 159) of WEEE in the metropolitan region of Sorocaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil. PBDEs were detected in 149 samples, with concentrations in 18 samples exceeding the European Union's Low POP Content Limit (LPCL) of 1000 mg/kg. Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) was the congener present at the highest concentration in most samples, with those of other PBDEs such as BDE-47 much lower. In general, samples containing >1000 mg/kg are those categorised as display items and miscellaneous EEE (n = 15.27 %), comprising: parts from cathode ray tube TVs (n = 11), audio systems (n = 2), and LCD TVs (n = 2). In addition, in 5 % (n = 3) of IT and telecommunications equipment samples (computer parts) PBDE concentrations exceeded 1000 mg/kg. Our results show the need for greater control and monitoring of the presence of these pollutants in WEEE before recycling and final disposal, to prevent PBDEs entering the recycling stream.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hansel David Burgos Melo
- Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Av. Três de Março, 511, Alto da Boa Vista, 18087-180 Sorocaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliana de Souza-Araujo
- Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Av. Três de Março, 511, Alto da Boa Vista, 18087-180 Sorocaba, SP, Brazil
| | | | - João Carlos Macedo
- Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Av. Três de Março, 511, Alto da Boa Vista, 18087-180 Sorocaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Rafael Cardoso
- Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Av. Três de Março, 511, Alto da Boa Vista, 18087-180 Sorocaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Sandro Donnini Mancini
- Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Av. Três de Março, 511, Alto da Boa Vista, 18087-180 Sorocaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Stuart Harrad
- School of Geography, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - André Henrique Rosa
- Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Av. Três de Março, 511, Alto da Boa Vista, 18087-180 Sorocaba, SP, Brazil.
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Pang R, Shao B, Chen Q, Shi H, Xie B, Soliman M, Tai J, Su Y. The co-occurrent microplastics and nano-CuO showed antagonistic inhibitory effects on bacterial denitrification: Interaction of pollutants and regulations on functional genes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 862:160892. [PMID: 36521594 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160892] [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: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The wide occurrence of microplastics (MPs) and nanoparticles resulted in their inevitable coexistence in environment. However, the joint effects of these two types of particulate emerging contaminants on denitrification have seldomly been investigated. Herein, non-biodegradable polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene and biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) MPs were chosen to perform the co-occurrent effects with nano copper oxide (nano-CuO). Both the nano-CuO and MPs inhibited the denitrification process, and biodegradable PHA-MPs showed severer inhibition than non-biodegradable MPs. However, the presence of MPs significantly alleviated the inhibition of nano-CuO, suggesting an antagonistic effect. Other than MPs decreasing copper ion release from nano-CuO, MPs and nano-CuO formed agglomerations and induced lower levels of oxidative stress compared to individual exposure. Transcriptome analysis indicated that the co-occurrent MPs and nano-CuO induced different regulation on denitrifying genes (e. g. nar and nor) compared to individual ones. Also, the expressions of genes involved in denitrification-associated metabolic pathways, including glycolysis and NADH electron transfer, were down-regulated by nano-CuO or MPs, but exhibiting recovery under the co-occurrent conditions. This study firstly discloses the antagonistic effect of nano-CuO and MPs on environmental process, and these findings will benefit the systematic evaluation of MPs environmental behavior and co-occurrent risk with other pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruirui Pang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation on Organic Solid Waste, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Boqun Shao
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation on Organic Solid Waste, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Qiqing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Huahong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Bing Xie
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation on Organic Solid Waste, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Engineering Research Center for Nanophotonics & Advanced Instrument, Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Mostafa Soliman
- Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Agricultural Research Center, Central Laboratory of Residue Analysis of Pesticides and Heavy Metals in Foods (QCAP Egypt), Giza 12311, Egypt
| | - Jun Tai
- Shanghai Environmental Sanitation Engineering Design Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200232, China
| | - Yinglong Su
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation on Organic Solid Waste, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Engineering Research Center for Nanophotonics & Advanced Instrument, Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China.
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Li Y, Zhang T, Cheng Z, Zhang Q, Yang M, Zhao L, Zhang S, Lu Y, Sun H, Wang L. Direct evidence on occurrence of emerging liquid crystal monomers in human serum from E-waste dismantling workers: Implication for intake assessment. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 169:107535. [PMID: 36152360 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) are widely used chemicals and ubiquitous emerging organic pollutants in the environment, some of which have persistent, bio-accumulative, and toxic potentials. Elevated levels of LCMs have been found in the e-waste dismantling associated areas. However, information on their internal exposure bio-monitoring is scarce. For the first time, occurrences of LCMs were observed in the serum samples of occupational workers (n = 85) from an e-waste dismantling area in South China. Twenty-nine LCMs were detected in serum samples of the workers, with a median value of 35.2 ng/mL (range: 7.78-276 ng/mL). Eight noticed LCMs were found to have relatively high detection frequencies ranging from 52.9% to 96.5%. The correlation analysis of individual LCMs indicated potential common applications and similar sources to the LCMs in occupational workers. Fluorinated LCMs were identified as the predominant monomers in the workers. Additionally, the estimated daily intake of the LCMs in the occupational workers was significantly higher than those in residents from the reference areas (p < 0.05, Mann-Whitney U Test, median values: 1.46 ng/kg bw/day versus 0.40 ng/kg bw/day), indicating a substantially higher exposure level to e-waste dismantling workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhe Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, 135 Xingang West Street, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Zhipeng Cheng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
| | - Qianru Zhang
- Institute of Agriculture Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Ming Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Leicheng Zhao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Shaohan Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yuan Lu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Hongwen Sun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Lei Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
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Cai K, Song Q, Yuan W, Yang G, Li J. Composition changes, releases, and potential exposure risk of PBDEs from typical E-waste plastics. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 424:127227. [PMID: 34597928 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127227] [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: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Since Stockholm Convention listed polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) as persistent organic pollutants and banned their addition, alternative halogen flame retardants (AHFRs) have been substituted for PBDEs. This study systematically investigates the change trends of PBDEs and AHFRs from typical e-waste plastics and dust, as well as clarifying human exposure risks of PBDEs in formal and informal e-waste recycling enterprises, repair store and residential building. The results show that the PBDEs levels in five typical types of e-waste vary in the range of 1.08 × 10-3-30.8 μg/g, meeting the requirements of RoHS regulation. Compared with the residential buildings (1.49-1.68 μg/g), PBDEs in the dust from the formal and informal e-waste recycling enterprises are much higher, ranging from 4.70 to 536 μg/g. BDE-209 is the main congener in most e-waste plastic and dust samples. Meanwhile, AHFRs have become the important composition (3.5-61.5%) in e-waste plastics, while its contribution is lower in dust, implying the higher enrichment efficiency of PBDEs. For PBDEs exposure, the dust intake risk of PBDEs is much higher than skin contact for the workers, and the highest hazard quotient (HQ) value (1.40 × 10-1) and cancer risk (CR) value (1.21 × 10-7) both imply safe exposure levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaihan Cai
- Macao Environmental Research Institute, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China; Macao Institute of Systems Engineering, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China
| | - Qingbin Song
- Macao Environmental Research Institute, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China.
| | - Wenyi Yuan
- Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Centre for WEEE Recycling, Shanghai Second Polytechnic University, Shanghai 201209, China
| | - Guiming Yang
- Foshan Shunde Xinhuanbao Resource Utilization Co., Ltd, Foshan 528000, China
| | - Jinhui Li
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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Kajiwara N, Matsukami H, Malarvannan G, Chakraborty P, Covaci A, Takigami H. Recycling plastics containing decabromodiphenyl ether into new consumer products including children's toys purchased in Japan and seventeen other countries. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 289:133179. [PMID: 34875294 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are flame retardants widely used to manufacture several commercial plastic products. The major homologue in commercial PBDE mixtures are listed in the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and are scheduled for global elimination. Hence, to understand more about unintentional contamination of plastic recycling stream by restricted PBDEs, we examined 540 small plastic consumer products (1139 components after dismantling), including children's toys, purchased in 18 countries (mainly Japan) between 2015 and 2019. Handheld X-ray fluorescence analysis revealed that 219 plastic components (19% of the total samples) contained bromine at a concentration of ≥30 mg kg-1. Chemical analysis of these bromine-positive components revealed that 109 pieces (9.6% of the total), mainly those made of black-colored plastic, contained PBDEs at concentrations ranging between 35 and 10,000 mg kg-1, with the maximum contribution from decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE). These PBDE concentrations were insufficient to impart flame retardancy, suggesting that the recycled plastic used to manufacture these consumer products probably originated from electronic waste, the manufacture of which was the primary use of commercial decaBDE mixtures. PBDEs were also found in secondary raw plastic materials and their final products obtained in India in 2019, demonstrating that plastics containing decaBDE end up in products where they serve no functional purpose. To contribute to the circular economy, the recycling of plastic waste in end-of-life products should be promoted. However, urgent action is needed to prevent plastic additives of concern, including PBDEs, from entering new products used in daily lives, particularly those used by children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natsuko Kajiwara
- Material Cycles Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan.
| | - Hidenori Matsukami
- Material Cycles Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan
| | - Govindan Malarvannan
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Paromita Chakraborty
- Environmental Science and Technology Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Hidetaka Takigami
- Material Cycles Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan
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Zhao X, Shi Z. Legacy brominated flame retardants in human milk from the general population in Beijing, China: Biomonitoring, temporal trends from 2011 to 2018, and nursing infant's exposure assessment. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 285:131533. [PMID: 34273701 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Three kinds of legacy brominated flame retardants (BFRs), including eight polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners, tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), and three hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) isomers, were analyzed in 105 human milk samples collected in 2018 from Beijing, China. The tested BFRs all showed high detection frequencies, and HBCDD was the most abundant BFR, with a median level of 7.64 × 103 pg/g lipid, followed by BDE-153 (389 pg/g lipid), BDE-209 (283 pg/g lipid), and TBBPA (271 pg/g lipid). By comparing the results of the present study with those of our previous Beijing human milk surveys conducted in 2014 and 2011, the contamination of TBBPA and HBCDD increased steadily from 2011 to 2018, whereas that of PBDEs decreased sharply during this period. Our results suggested that the production and consumption of BFRs in China have shifted from PBDEs to other FRs. Education level and the consumption of animal-derived foods such as eggs and meat were identified as major influencing factors for some BFRs. For nursing infants, the median levels of lower bound BFR daily intake via human milk ingestion ranged from 4.62 × 10-2 ng/kg bw/day for BDE-154 to 30.6 ng/kg bw/day for HBCDD. The daily intake of most BFRs by breastfeeding is unlikely to pose significant health risks for Beijing nursing infants. However, the minimum margin of exposure (MOE) of HBCDD was below its threshold value, which indicated that its daily intake might raise health concerns for some breastfed infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuezhen Zhao
- School of Public Health and Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Zhixiong Shi
- School of Public Health and Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
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Kukharchyk T, Přibylová P, Chernyuk V. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in plastic waste of electrical and electronic equipment: a case study in Belarus. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:32116-32123. [PMID: 32557023 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-09670-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Plastic waste of electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) can contain polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) that have been used as fire retardants for a long time. PBDEs were listed in the Stockholm Convention as persistent organic pollutants, so PBDE-containing plastic waste should be separated and disposed of in an ecologically sound manner. In the article, the results of bromine and PBDE content in plastic samples of WEEE collected in Belarus are presented. The screening method for bromine identification and HRGC/HRMS for PBDE identification were applied. It is shown that bromine is present in 43% of the 111 studied samples. Most often, Br-containing plastic was found in CRT monitor, CRT TVs and LCD monitor (about 50%), printers (35%), and LCD TVs (25%). PBDEs were revealed in 12 Br-containing samples, representing TVs, monitors, and printers. The sum of ∑10PBDEs varied from 6.6 to 21,000 μg/kg. BDE-209 dominated in 9 samples (75% of cases); BDE-183, in two; and BDE-47 and BDE-99, in one sample. Based on the low content of PBDEs in the plastic, year of equipment production, and year of restriction of PBDEs applied in the countries-manufacturers, it was concluded that the presence of PBDEs in plastic is a consequence of contaminated waste recycling. Despite the relatively low concentrations of PBDEs (below the limit values established by the Stockholm and Basel conventions for POP wastes), further research is necessary with an extension of the list of analyzed types of equipment and identification of other brominated flame retardants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Kukharchyk
- Institute for Nature Management, Laboratory of Transboundary Pollution, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Skoriny st., 10, 220076, Minsk, Belarus.
| | - Petra Přibylová
- RECETOX Centre, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimir Chernyuk
- Institute for Nature Management, Laboratory of Transboundary Pollution, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Skoriny st., 10, 220076, Minsk, Belarus
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