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Okeke ES, Nwankwo CE, Ezeorba TPC, Iloh VC, Enochoghene AE. Occurrence and ecotoxicological impacts of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in electronic waste (e-waste) in Africa: Options for sustainable and eco-friendly management strategies. Toxicology 2024; 506:153848. [PMID: 38825032 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2024.153848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent contaminants used as flame retardants in electronic products. PBDEs are contaminants of concern due to leaching and recalcitrance conferred by the stable and hydrophobic bromide residues. The near absence of legislatures and conscious initiatives to tackle the challenges of PBDEs in Africa has allowed for the indiscriminate use and consequent environmental degradation. Presently, the incidence, ecotoxicity, and remediation of PBDEs in Africa are poorly elucidated. Here, we present a position on the level of contamination, ecotoxicity, and management strategies for PBDEs with regard to Africa. Our review shows that Africa is inundated with PBDEs from the proliferation of e-waste due to factors like the increasing growth in the IT sector worsened by the procurement of second-hand gadgets. An evaluation of the fate of PBDEs in the African environment reveals that the environment is adequately contaminated, although reported in only a few countries like Nigeria and Ghana. Ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, and Soxhlet extraction coupled with specific chromatographic techniques are used in the detection and quantification of PBDEs. Enormous exposure pathways in humans were highlighted with health implications. In terms of the removal of PBDEs, we found a gap in efforts in this direction, as not much success has been reported in Africa. However, we outline eco-friendly methods used elsewhere, including microbial degradation, zerovalent iron, supercritical fluid, and reduce, reuse, recycle, and recovery methods. The need for Africa to make and implement legislatures against PBDEs holds the key to reduced effect on the continent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Sunday Okeke
- Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of Emergency Management, School of the Environment and Safety, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Rd., Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State 410001, Nigeria; Natural Science Unit, School of General Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State 410001, Nigeria; College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, Deanery of Molecular, Genetic and Population Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
| | - Chidiebele Emmanuel Nwankwo
- Natural Science Unit, School of General Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State 410001, Nigeria; Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences & Natural Science Unit, School of General Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State 410001, Nigeria; School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Rd., Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Timothy Prince Chidike Ezeorba
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State 410001, Nigeria; Department of Environmental Health and Risk Management, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Veronica Chisom Iloh
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State 410001, Nigeria
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Sun B, Zhou C, Zhu M, Wang S, Zhang L, Yi C, Ling H, Xiang M, Yu Y. Leaching kinetics and bioaccumulation potential of additive-derived organophosphate esters in microplastics. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 347:123671. [PMID: 38442824 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123671] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Considerable research has been conducted to evaluate microplastics (MPs) as vehicles for the transfer of hazardous pollutants in organisms. However, little effort has been devoted to the chemical release of hazardous additive-derived pollutants from MPs in gut simulations. This study looked at the leaching kinetics of organophosphate esters (OPFRs) from polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) MPs in the presence of gut surfactants, specifically sodium taurocholate, at two biologically relevant temperatures for marine organisms. Diffusion coefficients of OPFRs ranged from 1.71 × 10-20 to 4.04 × 10-18 m2 s-1 in PP and 2.91 × 10-18 to 1.51 × 10-15 m2 s-1 in PS. The accumulation factors for OPFRs in biota-plastic and biota-sediment interactions ranged from 1.52 × 10-3-69.1 and 0.02-0.7, respectively. Based on B3LYP/6-31G (d,p) calculations, the biodynamic model analysis revealed a slight increase in the bioaccumulation of OPFRs at a minor dose of 0.05% MPs. However, at higher concentrations (0.5% and 5% MPs), there was a decrease in bioaccumulation compared to the lower concentration for most OPFR compounds. In general, the ingestion of PE MPs notably contributed to the bioaccumulation of OPFRs in lugworms, whereas the contribution of PP and PS MPs was minimal. This could vary among sites exhibiting varying levels of MP concentrations or MPs displaying stronger affinities towards chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingbing Sun
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Chang Zhou
- College of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing Three Gorges University, Wanzhou, 404100, China
| | - Ming Zhu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Siqi Wang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Liuyi Zhang
- College of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing Three Gorges University, Wanzhou, 404100, China
| | - Chuan Yi
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Pollution Damage Assessment and Environmental Health Risk Prevention and Control, Hubei Academy of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Haibo Ling
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Pollution Damage Assessment and Environmental Health Risk Prevention and Control, Hubei Academy of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Mingdeng Xiang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Yunjiang Yu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510530, China.
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Zhang S, Cheng Z, Cao Y, He F, Zhao L, Baqar M, Zhu H, Zhang T, Sun H. Aromatic amine antioxidants (AAs) and p-phenylenediamines-quinones (PPD-Qs) in e-waste recycling industry park: Occupational exposure and liver X receptors (LXRs) disruption potential. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 186:108609. [PMID: 38579452 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108609] [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: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Recently, evidence of aromatic amine antioxidants (AAs) existence in the dust of the electronic waste (e-waste) dismantling area has been exposed. However, there are limited studies investigating occupational exposure and toxicity associated with AAs and their transformation products (p-phenylenediamines-quinones, i.e., PPD-Qs). In this study, 115 dust and 42 hand wipe samples collected from an e-waste recycling industrial park in central China were analyzed for 19 AAs and 6 PPD-Qs. Notably, the median concentration of ∑6PPD-Qs (1,110 ng/g and 1,970 ng/m2) was significantly higher (p < 0.05, Mann-Whitney U test) than that of ∑6PPDs (147 ng/g and 34.0 ng/m2) in dust and hand wipes. Among the detected analytes, 4-phenylaminodiphenylamine quinone (DPPD-Q) (median: 781 ng/g) and 1,4-Bis(2-naphthylamino) benzene quinone (DNPD-Q) (median: 156 ng/g), were particularly prominent, which were first detected in the e-waste dismantling area. Occupational exposure assessments and nuclear receptor interference ability, conducted through estimated daily intake (EDI) and molecular docking analysis, respectively, indicated significant occupational exposure to PPD-Qs and suggested prioritized Liver X receptors (LXRs) disruption potential of PPDs and PPD-Qs. The study provides the first evidence of considerable levels of AAs and PPD-Qs in the e-waste-related hand wipe samples and underscores the importance of assessing occupational exposure and associated toxicity effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaohan Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Zhipeng Cheng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
| | - Yuhao Cao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; School of Environment, Key Laboratory for Yellow River and Huai River Water Environment and Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Feixiang He
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Leicheng Zhao
- School of Environment, Key Laboratory for Yellow River and Huai River Water Environment and Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Mujtaba Baqar
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; Sustainable Development Study Centre, Government College University, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Hongkai Zhu
- 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
| | - Hongwen Sun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
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Lakshminarasimman N, Gewurtz SB, Parker WJ, Smyth SA. Quantifying the removal of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in physical, chemical, and biological sludge treatment systems. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 351:141203. [PMID: 38228194 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141203] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) are priority contaminants historically used as flame retardants. PBDEs are known to occur in wastewater biosolids posing potential concerns with the beneficial land application of the biosolids. This study evaluated the removal of 21 congeners in nine full-scale sludge treatment systems including pelletization (P), alkaline stabilization (AS), and aerobic (AE) and anaerobic (AN) digestion. It is the first study to conduct a mass balance analysis of a broad spectrum of PBDEs during physical, chemical, and biological sludge treatment. The PBDE congener pattern in raw sludge and biosolids samples was consistent with commercial formulations. The fully brominated congener BDE-209 dominated biosolids from all sites with an average concentration of 620 ng/g dry weight (dw), followed by BDE-99 (173 ng/g dw) and BDE-47 (162 ng/g dw). Mass balance analysis on the P and AS processes showed no change in PBDE mass flows with treatment. However, aerobic and anaerobic digestion processes reported significant levels of removal and formation of individual congeners, though the results were not consistent between facilities. One aerobic digestion process (AE2) reported an overall average removal of 48%, whereas the other (AE1) reported very high levels of accumulation of tri- and tetraBDE congeners. Similarly, there were significant variations in PBDE behavior across the five anaerobic digestion plants studied. The plant with the longest solids retention time (SRT) (AN1) reported a moderate removal (50%) of overall PBDE loading and lower congeners, whereas other plants (AN2-AN5) showed significant low (-19%) to high (-166%) levels of formation of lower congeners. The results suggest that reduced SRTs result in formation of lower congeners while extended SRTs can lead to moderate removal of some PBDEs. Conventional sludge treatment result in low to moderate PBDE removal and advanced thermal conversion technologies may be needed to improve the contaminant removal during sludge treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah B Gewurtz
- Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada, L7S 1A1
| | - Wayne J Parker
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada, N2L 3G1
| | - Shirley Anne Smyth
- Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada, L7S 1A1
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Chen Z, Zhan L, Xu Z. Enhancing Debromination Efficiency through Introducing Water Vapor Atmosphere to Overcome Limitations of Conventional Pyrolysis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:20941-20950. [PMID: 38032848 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c06640] [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: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Bromine removal is significant in the recycling of waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs). This study found that the critical factors limiting the debromination efficiency of conventional pyrolysis are the formation of coke impeding mass transfer and conversion of bromine into less volatile species, such as coking-Br and copper bromide. According to frontier molecular orbital analysis and thermodynamic equilibrium analysis, C-O bonds of resin are sites prone to electrophilic reactions and copper bromide in residue may undergo hydrolysis; therefore, introducing H2O during pyrolysis was a feasible method for thorough debromination. Through pyrolysis in a water vapor atmosphere, the diffusion limitation of debromination was overcome, and resin was converted into light components; thereby, rapid and deep removal of bromine was achieved. The result indicated that 99.7% of bromine was removed, and the residue could be used as a clean secondary resource. According to life-cycle assessment, pyrolysis of WPCBs in water vapor could be expected to reduce 77 Kt of CO2 emission and increase financial benefits by 60 million dollars, annually.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Zhan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenming Xu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
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Sun Y, Teng Y, Zhao L, Li R, Ren W. Non-negligibly negative role of e-waste-derived pyrogenic carbon in the soil washing of copper and polybrominated diphenyl ethers. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 458:131841. [PMID: 37331062 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
The open incineration of electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) results in the accumulation of pyrogenic carbon in the soil. However, the effect of the e-waste-derived pyrogenic carbon (E-PyC) on the performance of soil washing at e-waste incineration sites remains unclear. In this study, the effectiveness of a citrate-surfactant mixed solution in removing copper (Cu) and decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE209) at two e-waste incineration sites was evaluated. The removal efficiencies of Cu (24.6-51.3%) and BDE209 (13.0-27.9%) were low in both soils and were not significantly improved by ultrasonic. Soil organic matter analysis, hydrogen peroxide and thermal pretreatment experiments, and microscale soil particle characterization demonstrated that the poor removal of soil Cu and BDE209 was due to steric effects of E-PyC on the release of the solid fraction of pollutants and the competitive sorption of the labile fraction of pollutants by E-PyC. Weathering of soil Cu weakened the influence of E-PyC but strengthened the negative impact of natural organic matter (NOM) on soil Cu removal by promoting complexation between NOM and Cu2+ ions. This study demonstrates that the negative effect of E-PyC on Cu and BDE209 removal by soil washing is non-negligible, which has implications for decontaminating e-waste incineration sites by soil washing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Sun
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ying Teng
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Ling Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ran Li
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wenjie Ren
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Wang Y, Huang J, Li S, Xu W, Wang H, Xu W, Li X. A mechanistic and kinetic investigation on the oxidative thermal decomposition of decabromodiphenyl ether. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 333:121991. [PMID: 37328125 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121991] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The thermal processes of materials containing decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) normally result in the exposure of BDE-209 to high-temperature environments, generating a series of hazardous compounds. However, the evolution mechanisms of BDE-209 during oxidative thermal processes remain unclear. Thus, this paper presents a detailed investigation on the oxidative thermal decomposition mechanism of BDE-209 by utilizing density functional theory methods at the M06/cc-pVDZ theoretical level. The results show that the barrierless fission of the ether linkage dominates the initial degradation of BDE-209 at all temperatures, with branching ratio over 80%. The decomposition of BDE-209 in oxidative thermal processes is mainly along BDE-209 → pentabromophenyl and pentabromophenoxy radicals → pentabromocyclopentadienyl radicals → brominated aliphatic products. Additionally, the study results on the formation mechanisms of several hazardous pollutants indicate that the ortho-phenyl-type radicals created by ortho-C-Br bond fission (branching ratio reached 15.1% at 1600 K) can easily be converted into octabrominated dibenzo-p-dioxin and furan, which require overcoming the energy barriers of 99.0 and 48.2 kJ/mol, respectively. The O/ortho-C coupling of two pentabromophenoxy radicals also acts as a non-negligible pathway for the formation of octabrominated dibenzo-p-dioxin. The synthesis of octabromonaphthalene involves the self-condensation of pentabromocyclopentadienyl radicals, followed by an intricately intramolecular evolution. Results presented in this study can enhance our understanding of the transformation mechanism of BDE-209 in thermal processes, and offer an insight into controlling the emissions of hazardous pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Wang
- School of Physics and Mechatronic Engineering, Guizhou Minzu University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Jinbao Huang
- School of Physics and Mechatronic Engineering, Guizhou Minzu University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
| | - Sijia Li
- School of Physics and Mechatronic Engineering, Guizhou Minzu University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Weifeng Xu
- School of Physics and Mechatronic Engineering, Guizhou Minzu University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Hong Wang
- School of Physics and Mechatronic Engineering, Guizhou Minzu University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Weiwei Xu
- School of Physics and Mechatronic Engineering, Guizhou Minzu University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Xinsheng Li
- School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
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Yang Y, He S, Qi Z, Chai X, Zhao Q, Hu B, Li G, Yu Y. Proliferation toxicity and mechanism of novel mixed bromine/chlorine transformation products of tetrabromobisphenol A on human embryonic stem cell. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 449:131050. [PMID: 36821903 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Mixed bromine/chlorine transformation products of tetrabromobisphenol A (ClyBrxBPAs) are mixed halogenated-type compounds recently identified in electronic waste dismantling sites. There are a lack of toxicity data on these compounds. To study their development toxicity, the proliferation toxicity was investigated using human embryonic stem cells (hESC) exposed to the lowest effective dose of two ClyBrxBPA analogues (2-chloro-2',6-dibromobisphenol A and 2,2'-dichloro-6-monobromobisphenol A). For comparison, tetrabromobisphenol A, 2,2',6-tribromobisphenol A, and bisphenol A were also assessed. It was observed that ClyBrxBPAs inhibited hESCs proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. The cell bioaccumulation efficiency of ClyBrxBPAs was higher than that of tetrabromobisphenol A. Also, ClyBrxBPAs were more toxic than tetrabromobisphenol A, with 2,2'-dichloro-6-monobromobisphenol A exhibiting the most potent toxicity. Furthermore, flow cytometry and oxidative stress results showed that increased reactive oxygen species raised the degree of apoptosis and reduced DNA synthesis. Metabolomics analysis on the effect of ClyBrxBPAs on metabolic pathway alteration showed that ClyBrxBPAs mainly interfered with four metabolic pathways related to amino acid metabolism and biosynthesis. These results provide an initial perspective on the proliferation toxicity of ClyBrxBPAs, indicating development toxicity in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Yang
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Synergy Innovation Institute of GDUT, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Shiyao He
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Zenghua Qi
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Xuyang Chai
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Qiting Zhao
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Beibei Hu
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Guiying Li
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Yingxin Yu
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
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Liu J, Zhan L, Xu Z. Debromination with Bromine Recovery from Pyrolysis of Waste Printed Circuit Boards Offers Economic and Environmental Benefits. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:3496-3504. [PMID: 36794988 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c06448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Bromine is an important resource that is widely used in medical, automotive, and electronic industries. Waste electronic products containing brominated flame retardants can cause serious secondary pollution, which is why catalytic cracking, adsorption, fixation, separation, and purification have gained significant attention. However, the bromine resources have not been effectively reutilized. The application of advanced pyrolysis technology could help solve this problem via converting bromine pollution into bromine resources. Coupled debromination and bromide reutilization during pyrolysis is an important field of research in the future. This prospective paper presents new insights in terms of the reorganization of different elements and adjustment of bromine phase transition. Furthermore, we proposed some research directions for efficient and environmentally friendly debromination and reutilization of bromine: 1) precise synergistic pyrolysis should be further explored for efficient debromination, such as using persistent free radicals in biomass, polymer hydrogen supply, and metal catalysis, 2) rematching of Br elements and nonmetal elements (C/H/O) will be a promising direction for synthesizing functionalized adsorption materials, 3) oriented control of the bromide migration path should be further studied to obtain different forms of bromine resources, and 4) advanced pyrolysis equipment should be well developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangshan Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Lu Zhan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Zhenming Xu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
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10
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Wang SQ, Hu YJ, Yuan YF, Hu ZC, Wu CC, Bao LJ, Zeng EY. Size-resolved gas-particle partitioning characteristics of typical semi-volatile organic compounds in urban atmosphere. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 320:121101. [PMID: 36669720 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121101] [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: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Understanding particle size distribution and size-resolved gas-particle partitioning of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) is important for characterizing their fate in atmosphere. However, the size-resolved gas-particle partitioning characteristics of SVOCs has not been adequately considered. To address this issue, the present study collected gaseous and size-fractioned particulate samples both in and outside of schools, offices, and residences in three districts of different urbanization levels in a megacity, Guangzhou, South China during two seasons. Typical SVOCs, including 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), six organophosphate esters and seven phthalic acid esters were measured. Emission sources, physicochemical properties, and environmental conditions at the sampling sites considerably impacted the spatiotemporal distribution patterns and particle size distribution of target SVOCs. Not all observed gas-particle partition coefficients (Kp) of target SVOCs were negatively correlated with subcooled liquid-vapor pressures (PL0), probably because certain factors, such as the non-exchangeable part of the particle-bound SVOCs, were not considered in traditional gas-particle partition theories. Particle size was an important factor affecting gas-particle partitioning. Adsorption was the dominant mechanism for PAHs with high molecular weight in different particle modes. A new model was established to predict size-resolved Kp of PAHs with high molecular weight based on PL0 and particle size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Qi Wang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Yuan-Jie Hu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Yong-Fang Yuan
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Ze-Chao Hu
- Institute for Environmental and Climate Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Chen-Chou Wu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Lian-Jun Bao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China.
| | - Eddy Y Zeng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
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11
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Ge X, Gao Y, Yang Y, Chen G, Ma S, Hu B, Yu Y, An T. Mixed bromine/chlorine transformation products of tetrabromobisphenol A formed in the combustion of printed circuit boards: Emission characteristics and transformation pathways. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 859:160104. [PMID: 36372166 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160104] [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: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Recently, mixed bromine/chlorine transformation products of tetrabromobisphenol A (ClyBrxBPAs) were found to be possibly related to the thermal treatment processes of electronic wastes. To explore their emission characteristics and formation mechanism, printed circuit board scraps were combusted in a tube furnace, under the temperature from 25 °C to 600 °C. The emission factor of the debromination products of tetrabromobisphenol A (BrxBPAs) was the highest, whereas that of ClyBrxBPAs was the lowest. Among three phases, most of the target compounds were partitioned into the oil and particle phases, and only negligible gaseous 2-BrBPA and bisphenol A were detected. The emission rates of most compounds were fastest at 300 °C, although 2-BrBPA, 2,6-Br2BPA, and 2-Cl-6-BrBPA peaked at 350 °C. Among the chemicals in total emission, 2-BrBPA was the dominant congener in BrxBPAs, whereas 2-Cl-2',6,6'-Br3BPA, 2-Cl-2',6#-Br2BPA, and Σ2Cl1Br1BPAs shared similar proportions in ClyBrxBPAs. Meanwhile, the composition profiles at 300 °C showed that 2,2',6-Br3BPA and 2-Cl-2',6,6'-Br3BPA occupied the largest proportions in BrxBPAs and ClyBrxBPAs, respectively. To reveal the possible transformation pathways, the Gibbs free energy was calculated based on a radical substitution reaction. After "•Br" removal from tetrabromobisphenol A or other BrxBPAs, the intermediate was more easily combined with "•H" than with "•Cl." In addition, the ClyBrxBPA formation via "-•H + •Cl" by BrxBPAs is nonspontaneous, thus limiting the further generation of ClyBrxBPAs. This study not only provides ideas for the study of other mixed halogenated products, but also provides constructive suggestions for environmental source analysis by combining previous research on the occurrence of ClyBrxBPAs in various environmental matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Ge
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Yanpeng Gao
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Yan Yang
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
| | - Guanhui Chen
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Shengtao Ma
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Beibei Hu
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Yingxin Yu
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Taicheng An
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
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12
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Huang Q, Lü C, Liu Y, Chen H, Liu C, Lou Z, Lin J. The Typical Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) and Heavy Metals Distributions in a Formal e-Waste Dismantling Site. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2023; 110:52. [PMID: 36729178 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-022-03685-2] [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: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the release of pollutants from the formal e-waste dismantling site could provide the basic information and potential risk to guide the normative regulation of the process. In this study, the distribution of typical polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and heavy metals in a relocating site of a formal e-waste dismantling company was firstly investigated down to the saturated zone, with a maximum depth of 3.0 m. The mean concentrations of Σ13PBDEs were ranged from 2.815 to 7.178 ng/g, with a peak value of 7.178 ng/g in storage area. BDE-209 was the predominant congener of PBDEs in the soil, with the value ranged from 1.688 to 2.483 ng/g. A higher pollution of PBDEs and HMs was presented in the storage area. The risk assessment of PBDEs mostly posed a low environmental risk (RQ ≤ 0.01) and pentaBDE was found to be the most harmful driver for the potential environmental risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiujie Huang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Chengxin Lü
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yijun Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Huili Chen
- Hangzhou Key Laboratory for Animal Adaption and Evolution, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chunnan Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Ziyang Lou
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, China.
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource, Shanghai, 200240, China.
| | - Jian Lin
- Shanghai Research Institute of Chemical Industry, Shanghai, 200062, China
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13
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Choi S, Ekpe OD, Sim W, Choo G, Oh JE. Exposure and Risk Assessment of Korean Firefighters to PBDEs and PAHs via Fire Vehicle Dust and Personal Protective Equipment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:520-530. [PMID: 36539350 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c06393] [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: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were characterized in firefighters' personal protective equipment (PPE) (i.e., jackets, pants, hoods, and gloves) and vehicle dust wipe samples to assess the exposure and potential risk of firefighters to these combustion-related toxic pollutants. The mean levels of ∑PBDEs in the fire vehicle dust samples (778 and 449 pg/cm2 for pump trucks and command cars, respectively) were significantly higher than those in the private vehicles (31.2 pg/cm2) (Kruskal-Wallis test, p < 0.05), which was similar to the ∑PAH levels (521, 185, and 46.8 pg/cm2 for pump trucks, command cars, and private vehicles, respectively). In the case of firefighters' PPE, the levels of ∑PBDEs and ∑PAHs in used jackets and pants were found to be, respectively, 70- to 2242-folds and 11- to 265-folds higher than those in their unused counterparts. Biomass/petroleum combustion was found to be the main source of PAH contamination in fire vehicle dust and used PPE in the present study. Both carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks via vehicle dust ingestion and dermal absorption from wearing of PPE were within permissible limits, although the relative risk evaluation showed that PAH/PBDE absorption via wearing of PPE could pose a higher likelihood of carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks than the ingestion of pollutants via fire vehicle dust, warranting the need for appropriate management of firefighters' personal protective ensembles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sol Choi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Okon Dominic Ekpe
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Wonjin Sim
- Institute for Environment and Energy, Pusan National University, Busan46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyojin Choo
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan46241, Republic of Korea
- School of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Eun Oh
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan46241, Republic of Korea
- Institute for Environment and Energy, Pusan National University, Busan46241, Republic of Korea
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14
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Ohoro CR, Adeniji AO, Okoh AI, Okoh OO. Spatial monitoring and health risk assessment of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in environmental matrices from an industrialized impacted canal in South Africa. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2022; 44:3409-3424. [PMID: 34609624 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-021-01114-7] [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: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the pollution of Markman stormwater runoff, which is a tributary to Swartkops River Estuary. Solid-phase and ultrasonic extraction methods were utilized in the extraction of water and sediment samples, respectively. The pH of the sampling sites was above the EU guideline. The ranges of concentration of [Formula: see text]PBDE obtained in water and sediment samples for all the seasons were 58.47-1357 ng/L and 175-408 ng/g, respectively. Results also showed that BDE-66 was the dominant congener, specifically in the industrial zone, where its concentrations ranged from 2 to 407 ng/g in sediment. Consequently, the high concentration of BDE- 66 in the sediment of stormwater calls for concern. Penta-BDE suggests potential moderate eco-toxicological risk, as evident in the calculated risk assessment. The result showed possible photodegradation along the contaminant's travel time, as only 7% of the PBDE was detected at the point of entry into the Swartkops River Estuary. Markman stormwater may be contributing heavily to the pollution load of Swartkops River, as evident in the alarming concentrations of PBDEs obtained. The industries at this zone should eliminate the contaminants before discharging their effluents into the canal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinemerem Ruth Ohoro
- SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare, Alice, 5700, South Africa.
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Fort Hare, Alice, 5700, South Africa.
| | - Abiodun Olagoke Adeniji
- SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare, Alice, 5700, South Africa
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Fort Hare, Alice, 5700, South Africa
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, National University of Lesotho, P.O. Roma, 180, Lesotho
| | - Anthony Ifeanyi Okoh
- SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare, Alice, 5700, South Africa
- Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, 5700, South Africa
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Omobola Oluranti Okoh
- SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare, Alice, 5700, South Africa
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Fort Hare, Alice, 5700, South Africa
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15
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Sun B, Schnoor JL, Zeng EY. Decadal Journey of E-Waste Recycling: What Has It Achieved? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:12785-12792. [PMID: 36067032 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c01474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
E-waste recycling has been a hot topic around the world. This Feature revisits the issues raised by our previous Feature 10 years ago, i.e., the environmental, economic, and social benefits of e-waste recycling, using China as an example. The decadal journey of e-waste recycling has witnessed a giant leap from haphazard disposal initially to regulated disassembly presently. Specific successful stories include cleaned environment and reduced human exposure, significant advantages of urban mining over mineral mining, additional employment opportunities, and improved legislation system related to e-waste recycling. Strict legislation systems related to e-waste management based on the principle of Extended Producer Responsibility are key to the sustainable development of the e-waste recycling sector in China. The experiences and lessons learned in China would provide valuable guidelines for other developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingbing Sun
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Jerald L Schnoor
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States
| | - Eddy Y Zeng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
- Research Center of Low Carbon Economy for Guangzhou Region, Key Laboratory of Philosophy and Social Science in Guangdong Province of Community of Life for Man and Nature, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
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16
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Zeng X, Xu C, Xu X, Huang Y, Wang Q, Huo X. Combined toxicity of air pollutants related to e-waste on inflammatory cytokines linked with neurotransmitters and pediatric behavioral problems. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 239:113657. [PMID: 35617902 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
E-waste usually refers to the discarded electrical or electronic equipment that is no longer used. Informal e-waste recycling methods, such as burning, roasting, acid leaching, and shredding, had resulted in serious air pollution, which is a prominent risk factor for children's health. However, the combined toxicity of air pollutants on children's behavioral health remains unclear. This study collected data on air pollution exposure, calculated the average daily dose (ADD) based on these air pollutants for children in Guiyu (e-waste group, n = 112) and Haojiang (reference group, n = 101), then assessed children's behavioral health using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and further estimated the associations of ADD, inflammatory cytokines, neurotransmitters, and children's behavioral problems. Compared with Haojiang, Guiyu has poorer air quality and higher levels of ADD, inflammatory cytokines (such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), neurotransmitters (such as DA and SP), and SDQ scores, but lower levels of serum neuropeptide Y (NPY) levels. Spearman correlation analyses indicated that there were significant relationships among inflammatory cytokines, neurotransmitters, and behavioral scores. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that each unit increase in ADD was associated with serum levels of DA and SP, the serum NPY subsequently changed by B (95% CI): 0.99 (0.14, 1.84) nmol/L, 0.25 (0.08, 0.42) ng/mL, and - 0.16 (-0.26, -0.05) ng/mL, respectively. After adjustment for confounders, logistic regression analyses suggested that with each one-fold increase in ADD was associated with the risk of emotional symptoms [OR (95% CI): 18.15 (2.72, 121.06)], hyperactivity-inattention [13.64 (2.28, 81.65)] and total difficulties [8.90 (1.60, 49.35)] and prosocial behavior [- 7.32 (-44.37, -1.21)]. Taken together, this study demonstrates that combined exposure to air pollutants may alter the levels of inflammatory cytokines and serum neurotransmitter to subsequently impact behavioral health in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Zeng
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Cheng Xu
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Xijin Xu
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China; Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Yu Huang
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Qihua Wang
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Xia Huo
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
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Duan L, Ying Y, Zhong J, Jiang C, Chen W. Key factors controlling colloids-bulk soil distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) at an e-waste recycling site: Implications for PBDE mobility in subsurface environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 819:153080. [PMID: 35038531 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153080] [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: 12/04/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Accumulation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in surface soils at elevated concentrations is common at e-waste recycling sites. Even though highly insoluble, migration of PBDEs into the vadose zone and groundwater is possible, due to their association with soil colloids. Here, we show that upon equilibration with artificial rainwater surface and subsurface soil samples collected at an e-waste recycling site release significant quantities of colloids, with the total concentrations of 14 PBDE congeners as high as 990 ng/g dw. The concentrations of different congeners vary markedly in the colloids, and that of BDE-209 is the highest in all the samples. Notably, even the colloids released from the soil collected at a depth of 95-105 cm contain high concentrations of PBDEs. Preferential binding of PBDEs to soil colloids is observed, with the colloids-soil distribution coefficients above 10 in certain cases. The extent of preferential binding displays no apparent correlation with the relative hydrophobicity of the PBDEs, nor can it be explained simply by considering the higher specific surface area, pore volume, and clay content of the soil colloids than the respective bulk soil. Principal component analysis shows that multiple soil properties are collectively responsible for the preferential distribution of PBDEs. Specifically, the differences in pore volume, soil organic carbon content, and pore size between colloids and soils are likely the major factors affecting the distribution of high-concentration PBDEs, whereas the differences in clay content, pore volume and specific surface area are the key factors affecting the distribution of low-concentration PBDEs. The findings clearly show that colloids are an important medium with which PBDEs are associated at contaminated sites, and underline the need of understanding colloid-facilitated transport of PBDEs at e-waste sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Duan
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yuqin Ying
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Jingyi Zhong
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Chuanjia Jiang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Wei Chen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300350, China.
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18
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Cheng Z, Shi Q, Wang Y, Zhao L, Li X, Sun Z, Lu Y, Liu N, Su G, Wang L, Sun H. Electronic-Waste-Driven Pollution of Liquid Crystal Monomers: Environmental Occurrence and Human Exposure in Recycling Industrial Parks. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:2248-2257. [PMID: 35107275 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c04621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) in liquid crystal displays (LCDs) may be released into the environment, especially in electronic waste (e-waste) recycling industrial parks with a high pollution risk. However, little has been known about the environmental release and human exposure to LCMs until now. Herein, a total of 45 LCMs were detected in LCDs of commonly used smartphones and computers by high-resolution mass spectrometry with suspect screening analysis. Fluorinated biphenyls and their analogs were the dominant LCMs. Based on available standards of the screening results and previous studies, 55 LCMs were quantified in samples from an e-waste recycling industrial park in Central China. The LCMs were frequently detected in outdoor dust (n = 43), workshop #1 indoor dust (n = 53), and hand (n = 43) and forehead wipes (n = 43), with median concentrations of 6950 ng/g, 67,400 ng/g, 46,100 ng/m2, and 62,100 ng/m2, respectively. The median estimated daily intake values of the LCMs via dust ingestion and dermal absorption were 48.3 and 16.5 ng/kg body weight/day, respectively, indicating a high occupational exposure risk of these compounds. In addition, 16 LCMs were detected in the serum of eight elderly people (≥60 years old) with over 5 years of experience in e-waste dismantling operations, resulting in a total concentration range of 3.9-26.3 ng/mL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhipeng Cheng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Qingyang Shi
- Department of Environmental Science, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Yu Wang
- 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
| | - Xiaoxiao Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Zhaoyang Sun
- 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
| | - Na Liu
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Guanyong Su
- School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lei Wang
- 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
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Ge X, Ma S, Huo Y, Yang Y, Luo X, Yu Y, An T. Mixed bromine/chlorine transformation products of tetrabromobisphenol A: Potential specific molecular markers in e-waste dismantling areas. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 423:127126. [PMID: 34523476 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127126] [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: 06/06/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Mixed bromine/chlorine transformation products (ClyBrxBPAs) of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) were recently identified for the first time in an electronic waste (e-waste) dismantling site. To determine whether these compounds can be used as specific molecular markers of e-waste dismantling activities, the environmental occurrences and distributions of TBBPA and its transformation products including debromination products (BrxBPAs) and ClyBrxBPAs were analyzed in soil samples from three sites in China: Guiyu (an e-waste site), Qingyuan (a former e-waste site now mainly used for old wire and cable recycling), and Shouguang (a flame retardant production base). Levels of the target analytes in Guiyu were significantly higher than in Qingyuan and Shouguang. BrxBPAs and ClyBrxBPAs were widely detected in Guiyu at concentrations between 1 and 4 orders of magnitude lower than their parent compound TBBPA. The highest concentration was found in an e-waste dismantling park, with lower concentrations in surrounding area. The levels of ClyBrxBPAs in Qingyuan were much lower, indicating that the ClyBrxBPAs may come from the processing of wires and cables, but not rule out the incubation on their own in soils. None of ClyBrxBPAs were detected in Shouguang. ClyBrxBPAs may thus be useful as specific molecular markers for determining the intensity of e-waste dismantling activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Ge
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Shengtao Ma
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Synergy Innovation Institute of GDUT, Shantou 515041, PR China
| | - Yanping Huo
- School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Yan Yang
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Synergy Innovation Institute of GDUT, Shantou 515041, PR China
| | - Xiaojun Luo
- 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, PR China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China
| | - Yingxin Yu
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
| | - Taicheng An
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
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Zhu M, Yuan Y, Yin H, Guo Z, Wei X, Qi X, Liu H, Dang Z. Environmental contamination and human exposure of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in China: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 805:150270. [PMID: 34536863 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), together with 11 other organic compounds, were initially listed as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) by the Stockholm Convention because of their potential threat to ecosystems and humans. In China, many monitoring studies have been undertaken to reveal the level of PCBs in environment since 2005 due to the introduced stricter environmental regulations. However, there are still significant gaps in understanding the overall spatial and temporal distributions of PCBs in China. This review systematically discusses the occurrence and distribution of PCBs in environmental matrices, organisms, and humans in China. Results showed that PCB contamination in northern and southern China was not significantly different, but the PCB levels in East China were commonly higher than those in West China, which might have been due to the widespread consumption of PCBs and intensive human activities in East China. Serious PCB contamination was found in e-waste disassembling areas (e.g., Taizhou of Zhejiang Province and Qingyuan and Guiyu of Guangdong Province). Higher PCB concentrations were also chronicled in megalopolises and industrial clusters. The unintentionally produced PCBs (UP-PCBs) formed during industrial thermal processes may play an increasingly significant role in PCB pollution in China. Low PCB levels were recorded in rural and underdeveloped districts, particularly in remote and high-altitude localities such as the Tibetan Plateau and the South China Sea. However, these data are limited. Human exposure to PCBs is closely related to the characteristics of environmental pollution. This review also discusses existing issues and future research prospects on PCBs in China. For instance, the accumulation characteristics and migration regularities of PCBs in food webs should be further studied. More investigations should be undertaken to assess the quantitative relationship between external and internal exposure to PCBs. For example, bioaccessibility and bioavailability studies should be supplemented to evaluate human health risks more accurately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education on Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Wastes Pollution Control and Recycling, School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Yibo Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education on Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Wastes Pollution Control and Recycling, School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Hua Yin
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education on Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Wastes Pollution Control and Recycling, School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China.
| | - Zhanyu Guo
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education on Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Wastes Pollution Control and Recycling, School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Xipeng Wei
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education on Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Wastes Pollution Control and Recycling, School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Xin Qi
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education on Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Wastes Pollution Control and Recycling, School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Hang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education on Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Wastes Pollution Control and Recycling, School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhi Dang
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education on Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Wastes Pollution Control and Recycling, School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
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21
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Lin C, Zeng Z, Xu R, Liang W, Guo Y, Huo X. Risk assessment of PBDEs and PCBs in dust from an e-waste recycling area of China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 803:150016. [PMID: 34525731 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are widely used in outdated electronic and electrical products. In the present study, dust samples from houses, kindergartens, and roads were collected in Guiyu, where informal e-waste recycling activities have been sustained since the 1980s. Haojiang was chosen as a reference site without e-waste pollution. A total of 20 PBDE congeners and 18 PCB congeners was measured. Concentrations of total PBDEs and PCBs in dust samples from Guiyu were significantly higher than those from Haojiang. In Guiyu, kindergarten dust had the highest concentration of PCBs in these three typical environments, whereas the concentration of PBDEs showed no significant difference. Concentrations of PBDEs in Haojiang house dust were found significantly higher than other two environmental dusts. According to the questionnaires, we found that factors such as shoe cabinets, electrical products, and potted plants might affect PBDE and PCB concentrations in house dust. Daily intake of PBDEs and PCBs via dust ingestion was estimated after correction by their house, kindergarten, and road dust concentrations. The mean estimated daily intake (EDI) of PBDEs for Guiyu children was far lower than the oral reference dose recommended by the environmental protection agency (EPA). The Guiyu children seem to have a higher trend of daily intakes of PCBs although their EDIs not being calculated accurately due to the low detection rate. Child exposure to PBDEs via dust ingestion in Guiyu was 36 times higher than those in Haojiang. This indicates that children from e-waste-polluted areas stay in surroundings with heavy burdens of PBDEs, even PCBs. The risk to their health from contaminants is a severe concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciming Lin
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhijun Zeng
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, Guangdong, China
| | - Ruibin Xu
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, Guangdong, China
| | - Wanting Liang
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, Guangdong, China
| | - Yufeng Guo
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, Guangdong, China
| | - Xia Huo
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, Guangdong, China.
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Zhu J, Huang T, Huang Z, Qin B, Tang Y, Ruan J, Xu Z. An energy-saving and environment-friendly technology for debromination of plastic waste: Novel models of heat transfer and movement behavior of bromine. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 421:126814. [PMID: 34396969 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The recovery and reuse of waste brominated resin, which is a typical plastic waste, is troublesome because it contains toxic brominated flame retardants. Conventional pyrolysis of brominated resin was suggested to be an effective approach for debromination. However, conventional pyrolysis caused high energy consumption and high yield of toxic volatiles. An energy-saving and environment-friendly technology called infrared heating was reported in this study. According to computation of the developed heat transfer models, the critical debromination temperature was 260 °C in infrared heating, which was 271 °C lower than conventional pyrolysis. Meanwhile, no volatile product appeared in the reported technology. In the pyrolysis residue after infrared heating, bromine concentrated orientationally in the fixed and limited area on the resin particles. Free radicals, such as •CH3, H•, and Br•, were combined with Br• generated in infrared heating to form the concentrated bromine. Compared to the chaotic distribution of bromine in conventional pyrolysis, the orientational concentration of bromine was a progress for removing and collecting bromine in infrared heating. Moreover, compared to conventional pyrolysis, infrared heating could decrease 76.2% energy consumption. This work contributed to provide the novel technology for recovery of plastic wastes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, 135 Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Taiyu Huang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, 135 Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhe Huang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, 135 Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Baojia Qin
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, 135 Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Yetao Tang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, 135 Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Jujun Ruan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, 135 Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhenming Xu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
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23
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Ekpe OD, Sim W, Choi S, Choo G, Oh JE. Assessment of Exposure of Korean Firefighters to Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons via Their Measurement in Serum and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Metabolites in Urine. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:14015-14025. [PMID: 34435767 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c02554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the occupational exposure of Korean firefighters to a suite of combustion-related pollutants. Exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was assessed by measurement of their levels in serum and metabolites in urine (i.e., monohydroxylated PAHs, OH-PAHs). The mean level of ∑PBDEs in the serum of firefighters (17.1 ng/g lipid weight (lw)) was significantly higher than that of the general population (1.39 ng/g lw) (Mann-Whitney U Test, p < 0.05), which is similar to the ∑PAH levels (1286 ng/g lw for firefighters and 1016 ng/g lw for the general population). Individual OH-PAH levels showed 2.1- to 4.2-fold increases in postfire urine samples compared to the control urine samples, with the mean ∑OH-PAHs being significantly higher in postfire urine samples (22,658 ng/g creatinine) than in the control urine samples (10,253 ng/g creatinine) (Mann-Whitney U test, p < 0.05). It was found that ∑PBDEs correlated with firefighters' length of service and years dedicated to on-site dispatch, while ∑OH-PAHs was strongly associated with firefighters' exposure duration, age, length of service, and years dedicated to on-site dispatch. Indeed, the results of the present study indicate that Korean firefighters are prone to elevated risk of exposure to toxic combustion-related pollutants compared with the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Okon Dominic Ekpe
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Wonjin Sim
- Institute for Environment and Energy, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Sol Choi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyojin Choo
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
- National Fishery Products Quality Management Service, Busan 51140, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Eun Oh
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
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24
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Oliveira JSS, Hacha RR, d’Almeida FS, Almeida CA, Moura FJ, Brocchi EA, Souza RFM. Electronic Waste Low-Temperature Processing: An Alternative Thermochemical Pretreatment to Improve Component Separation. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 14:6228. [PMID: 34683820 PMCID: PMC8540244 DOI: 10.3390/ma14206228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The production of electronic waste due to technological development, economic growth and increasing population has been rising fast, pushing for solutions before the environmental pressure achieves unprecedented levels. Recently, it was observed that many extractive metallurgy alternatives had been considered to recover value from this type of waste. Regarding pyrometallurgy, little is known about the low-temperature processing applied before fragmentation and subsequent component separation. Therefore, the present manuscript studies such alternative based on scanning electron microscopy characterization. The sample used in the study was supplied by a local recycling center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The mass loss was constant at around 30% for temperatures higher than 300 °C. Based on this fact, the waste material was then submitted to low-temperature processing at 350 °C followed by attrition disassembling, size classification, and magnetic concentration steps. In the end, this first report of the project shows that 15% of the sample was recovered with metallic components with high economic value, such as Cu, Ni, and Au, indicating that such methods could be an interesting alternative to be explored in the future for the development of alternative electronic waste extraction routes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Rodrigo F. M. Souza
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 22451-900, RJ, Brazil; (J.S.S.O.); (R.R.H.); (F.S.d.); (C.A.A.); (F.J.M.); (E.A.B.)
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25
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Xiao J. Impact of particulate pollutant emissions from combustion of civil briquettes on air quality. APPLIED NANOSCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s13204-021-02067-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Viscoelastic Polyurethane Foam with Keratin and Flame-Retardant Additives. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13091380. [PMID: 33922625 PMCID: PMC8122959 DOI: 10.3390/polym13091380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Viscoelastic polyurethane (VEPUR) foams with increased thermal resistance are presented in this article. VEPUR foams were manufactured with the use of various types of flame retardant additives and keratin fibers. The structure of the modified foams was determined by spectrophotometric-(FTIR), thermal-(DSC), and thermogravimetric (TGA) analyses as well as by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We also assessed the fire resistance, hardness, and comfort coefficient (SAG factor). It was found that the use of keratin filler and flame retardant additives changed the foams’ structure and properties as well as their burning behavior. The highest fire resistance was achieved for foams containing keratin and expanding graphite, for which the reduction in heat release rate (HRR) compared to VEPUR foams reached 75%.
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Pan Y, Ren Q, Chen P, Wu J, Wu Z, Zhang G. Insight Into Microbial Community Aerosols Associated With Electronic Waste Handling Facilities by Culture-Dependent and Culture-Independent Methods. Front Public Health 2021; 9:657784. [PMID: 33889561 PMCID: PMC8055949 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.657784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Airborne microorganisms in the waste associated environments are more active and complex compared to other places. However, the diversity and structure of airborne bacteria in waste-associated environments are still not clearly understood. The purpose of this study was to assess airborne bacterial community in electronic waste dismantling site and a waste transfer station based on culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. A total of 229 isolates were obtained from four airborne sites collected from residential area, electronic industrial park, and office area in or near an electronic waste dismantling site and a waste transfer station in Southern China in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Most of the isolates were isolated from air for the first time and 14 potentially novel species were identified by Sanger sequencing. Bacterial communities in waste-associated bioaerosols were predominated by Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. Abundant genera (>1%) included Paracaedibacteraceae (uncultured EF667926), Ralstonia, Chroococcidiopsis, Chitinophagaceae (uncultured FN428761), Sphingobium, and Heliimonas. One-third of the species in these genera were uncultured approximately. Differences community structure existed in airborne bacterial diversity among different sampling sites. These results showed that waste-associated environments have unique bacterial diversity. Further studies on such environments could provide new insights into bacterial community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimin Pan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiaoqiao Ren
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Pei Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiguo Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhendong Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guoxia Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangzhou, China
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28
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Sahle-Demessie E, Mezgebe B, Dietrich J, Shan Y, Harmon S, Lee CC. Material recovery from electronic waste using pyrolysis: Emissions measurements and risk assessment. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 2021; 9:10.1016/j.jece.2020.104943. [PMID: 33747764 PMCID: PMC7970511 DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2020.104943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Electronic waste (e-waste) generation has been growing in volume worldwide, and the diversity of its material composition is increasing. Sustainable management of this material is critical to achieving a circular-economy and minimizing environmental and public health risks. This study's objective was to investigate the use of pyrolysis as a possible technique to recover valuable materials and energy from different components of e-waste as an alternative approach for limiting their disposal to landfills. The study includes investigating the potential environmental impact of thermal processing of e-waste. The mass loss and change in e-waste chemicals during pyrolysis were also considered. The energy recovery from pyrolysis was made in a horizontal tube furnace under anoxic and isothermal conditions of selected temperatures of 300 °C, 400 °C, and 500 °C. Critical metals that include the rare earth elements and other metals (such as In, Co, Li) and valuable metals (Au, Ag, Pt group) were recovered from electronic components. Pyrolysis produced liquid and gas mixtures of organic compounds that can be used as fuels. Still, the process also emitted particulate matter and semi-volatile organic products, and the remaining ash contained leachable pollutants. Furthermore, toxicity characteristics leaching procedure (TCLP) of e-waste and partly oxidized products were conducted to measure the levels of pollutants leached before and after pyrolysis at selected temperatures. TCLP result revealed the presence of heavy metals like As, Cr, Cd, and Pd. Lead was found at 160 mg/L in PCBs leachate, which exceeded the toxicity characteristics (TC) limit of 5 mg/L. Liquid sample analysis from TCLP also showed the presence of C10-C19 components, including benzene. This study's results contribute to the development of practical recycling alternative approaches that could help reduce health risks and environmental problems and recover materials from e-waste. These results will also help assess the hazard risks that workers are exposed to semi-formal recycling centers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Endalkachew Sahle-Demessie
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
| | - Bineyam Mezgebe
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Joshua Dietrich
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Yonggui Shan
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
| | - Stephen Harmon
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
| | - Chun C. Lee
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
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29
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Chen Z, Luo X, Zeng Y, Tan S, Guo J, Xu Z. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in indoor air from two typical E-waste recycling workshops in Southern China: Emission, size-distribution, gas-particle partitioning, and exposure assessment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 402:123667. [PMID: 33254748 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The emission characteristics of respirable particulate matter (PM10), and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) size distribution, gas-particle partitioning and occupational exposure in two e-waste recycling workshops (manual and thermal dismantling workshop: ManuDW and TherDW) were investigated. The PM10 mass concentration was higher but the number concentration was lower in the ManuDW than in the TherDW. The gaseous phase PBDE concentration (40.5 ng/m3) was higher in the ManuDW than in the TherDW (10.6 ng/m3) while the particulate phase PBDE concentration was just reverse (57.7 vs 156 ng/m3). The size distribution of particle was similar for two workshops but the size distribution of particle-bound PBDE exhibited remarkable differences. BDE-209 was the dominant congener in particle-bound PBDE in the TherDW, while Tri-, Tetra-, and Deca-BDE were the three most abundant homologues in the ManuDW. The size distribution of particle-bound PBDE homologue profile in the ManuDW was also distinct from that in the TherDW. The PBDE exposure doses were 13.9 and 15.3 ng/kg/day in the ManuDW and the TherDW, far lower than reference doses. Gaseous and particle phase have same contribution to the total doses in the ManuDW but the exposure doses in the TherDW mainly come from the particle phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xiaojun Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China.
| | - Yuan Zeng
- School of Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Shufei Tan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Jie Guo
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
| | - Zhenming Xu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
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Li J, Xu L, Zhou Y, Yin G, Wu Y, Yuan GL, Du X. Short-chain chlorinated paraffins in soils indicate landfills as local sources in the Tibetan Plateau. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 263:128341. [PMID: 33297267 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Background contamination levels of contemporary persistent organic pollutants (POPs) may be elevated due to local discharges, and hence it is of high importance to assess and monitor them in alpine and Polar Regions. This study investigated the role of waste disposal in the Tibetan plateau as the local source of short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs). SCCPs were determined in soils from the urban landfill and rural dumpsites, with a concentration range of 56.8-1348 ng/g dw. The gradient descent of SCCP levels from Lhasa landfill to the surrounding soils with increasing distances suggested a significant SCCP release from waste disposal. The transport pattern was well fitted by the Boltzmann equation after normalization in terms of soil organic carbon contents. Compared to the landfill cells closed in early years, the recently closed cells contained higher concentrations but lower proportions of the short-chain congener groups, likely reflecting the SCCP use history in Tibet. In open-burning dumpsites, higher SCCP levels and dominance of lighter congener groups indicates that such crude waste treatment process might cause an extra release of volatile SCCPs. This study elucidates local SCCP inputs to the background environment, and demonstrates that both urbanization and badly-managed landfill have been contributing to the presence of contemporary POPs in the Tibetan Plateau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China; School of the Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Liang Xu
- School of the Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yihui Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Ge Yin
- Shimadzu (China) Co., LTD, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Yan Wu
- O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, United States
| | - Guo-Li Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China; School of the Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Xinyu Du
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
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Chen W, Li T, Liu Y, Wang H, Zhao P, Hu J, Jin J. Distributions and biomagnification of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in a grassland ecosystem food chain. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 747:141141. [PMID: 32777495 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The concentrations, distributions, and biomagnification of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in environmental and biological media in a terrestrial grass ecosystem were studied, The total PBDE concentrations in grasses were 4.00 × 10-2 to 4.28 ng·g-1. The total PBDE concentration in weasel muscle (23.2 ng·g-1 l.w.) was the highest concentrations of all animal tissue samples, and the total PBDE concentration in hair from local herdsmen (22.2 ng·g-1 l.w.) was second highest. Less-brominated PBDEs were found to be more strongly biomagnified than more-brominated PBDEs in the grassland food web. PBDEs were found to be much more strongly biomagnified in the food chains of homothermic animals than heterothermic animals. More-brominated PBDEs were not markedly biomagnified in the grassland food web. For example, BDE-153 was not biomagnified in the grassland wildlife food chain but was clearly biomagnified through the sheep, cattle, or horse hair to human hair route. The biomagnification factors and log Kows negatively correlated for the toad-snake, lizard-snake, and mouse-weasel food chains. The ability of PBDE congeners to become enriched generally decreased as the log Kow increased, and this decrease occurred 100-1000 times more strongly for homothermic animals than heterothermic animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenming Chen
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, China
| | - Tianwei Li
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, China
| | - Yiming Liu
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, China
| | - Huiting Wang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, China
| | - Pengyuan Zhao
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, China
| | - Jicheng Hu
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, China
| | - Jun Jin
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, China.
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Altarawneh M, Saeed A, Siddique K, Jansson S, Dlugogorski BZ. Formation of polybrominated dibenzofurans (PBDFs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) from oxidation of brominated flame retardants (BFRs). JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 400:123166. [PMID: 32574882 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Brominated aromatic rings constitute main structural entities in virtually all commercially deployed brominated flame retardants (BFRs). Oxidative decomposition of BFRs liberates appreciable quantities of bromobenzenes (BBzs). This contribution reports experimental measurements for the generation of notorious polybrominated dibenzofurans (PBDFs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) from oxidation of monobromobenzene (MBBz). In the light of developed product profiles, we map out reaction pathways and report kinetic parameters for PBDFs and PBDEs formation from coupling reactions of MBBz molecule and its derived ortho-bromophenoxy (o-BPhxy) radical using quantum chemical calculations. The identification and quantitation of product species involve the use of gas chromatograph - triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (GC-QQQMS) operating in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Bimolecular reactions of MBBz and o-BPhxy result in the generation of twelve pre-PBDF intermediates, of which four can also serve as building blocks for the synthesis of PBDEs. These four intermediates are denoted as pre-PBDE/pre-PBDF, with the remaining eight symbolised as pre-PBDF. The resonance-stabilised structure of the o-BPhxy radical accumulates more spin density character on its phenoxy O atom (30.9 %) in reference to ortho-C and para-C sites. Thus, the formation of the pre-PBDE/pre-PBDF structures via O/o-C couplings advances faster as it requires lower activation enthalpies (79.2 - 84.9 kJ mol-1) than the pre-PBDF moieties, which arise via pairing reactions involving o-C(H or Br)/o-C(H or Br) sites (97.2 - 180.2 kJ mol-1). Kinetic analysis indicates that, the O/o-C pre-PBDE/pre-PBDF adducts self-eject the out-of-plane H atoms to produce PBDEs, rather than undergo a three-step mechanism forming PBDFs. However, experimental measurements demonstrate PBDEs appearing in lower yields as compared to those of PBDFs; presumably due to H- and Br-induced conversion of the PBDEs into PBDFs following a simple ring-closure reaction. High reaction temperatures facilitate loss of ortho Br atom from PBDEs, followed by cyclisation step to generate PBDFs. PBDFs are observed in a narrow temperature range of 700-850 °C, whereas PBDEs form between 550-850 °C. Since formation mechanisms of PBDFs and polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PBDDs) are typically only sensitive to the bromination at ortho positions, the results reported herein apply also to higher brominated isomers of BBzs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammednoor Altarawneh
- United Arab Emirates University, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Al-Ain, 15551, United Arab Emirates; Murdoch University, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education (SHEE), WA, 6150, Australia.
| | - Anam Saeed
- Murdoch University, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education (SHEE), WA, 6150, Australia; University of Engineering and Technology Lahore, Chemical Engineering Department, 54890, Pakistan
| | - Kamal Siddique
- Murdoch University, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education (SHEE), WA, 6150, Australia
| | - Stina Jansson
- Umeå University Department of Chemistry, SE-901 87, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Bogdan Z Dlugogorski
- Charles Darwin University, Energy and Resources Institute, Darwin, NT, 0909, Australia.
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Lin H, Taniyasu S, Yamazaki E, Wei S, Wang X, Gai N, Kim JH, Eun H, Lam PKS, Yamashita N. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in the Air Particles of Asia: Levels, Seasonality, and Size-Dependent Distribution. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:14182-14191. [PMID: 33156616 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c03387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Information regarding the size-dependent distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in atmospheric particulate matter (PM) is very limited. In this study, 248 size-specific PM samples were collected from 9 Asian cities using a portable 4-stage cascade impactor for the analysis of PFAS. Of the 34 investigated PFAS, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) were the major compounds. In particular, the emerging PFAS, hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid, was quantified in the PM for the first time, with concentrations ranging from <0.086 to 21.5 pg/m3. Spatially, PFOA and PFOS were the predominant compounds in China, while precursors, emerging PFAS, and short-chain PFAS dominated in India, Japan, and South Korea, respectively. Seasonal variations of PFAS may be controlled by regional climate, local or seasonal emission sources, and long-range transport of air masses. Size-dependent distribution was investigated, showing that the majority of PFAS predominantly affiliated in fine particles, while PFOS and its alternatives tended to attach on coarser particles. Moreover, PFOS distributed on specific sizes exhibited seasonal and regional dependency, while no such patterns were observed for PFOA. These findings will provide useful information on the geographical and size-dependent distribution of PFAS in the atmospheric PM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiju Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution (SKLMP) and Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Environmental Management Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 16-1 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8569, Japan
| | - Sachi Taniyasu
- Environmental Management Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 16-1 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8569, Japan
| | - Eriko Yamazaki
- Environmental Management Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 16-1 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8569, Japan
- Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), 3-1-3 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8604, Japan
- College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Si Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Xinhong Wang
- College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Nan Gai
- National Research Center for Geoanalysis (NRCGA), Beijing 100037, China
| | - Jin Hyo Kim
- Institute of Agriculture and Life Science (IALS), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Heesoo Eun
- Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), 3-1-3 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8604, Japan
| | - Paul K S Lam
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution (SKLMP) and Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Nobuyoshi Yamashita
- Environmental Management Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 16-1 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8569, Japan
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Liang J, Lu G, Wang R, Tang T, Huang K, Jiang F, Yu W, Tao X, Yin H, Dang Z. The formation pathways of polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) from pyrolysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs): Effects of bromination arrangement and level. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 399:123004. [PMID: 32502858 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This study presents comprehensive formation pathways of polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) from the pyrolysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). A total of 23 PBDE congeners, from mono- to hepta- brominated, were selected to conduct the pyrolysis experiments. The results suggest that n-PBDEs (where n means the number of bromine substituents) can transform into n/(n-1) PBDFs and (n-1)/(n-2) PBDDs as long as they meet certain structural requirement. One single PBDE congener can only transform (if possible) specific PBDF or PBDD based on their specific brominated arrangement by direct/oxygen bridge connecting the two ortho-carbon atoms. Among all selected BDEs, we found that only 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexaBDE (BDE-153) can transform into 2,3,7,8-tetraBDD, which is most toxic congener among these group of compounds. When the degree of bromination increased, the yield of polybromobenzene increased, while that of the PBDD/Fs decreased, suggesting that the higher PBDEs favors to break the ether bond to form polybromobenzene, while the lower PBDEs favor transformation into PBDD/Fs. We proposed that the results in this study greatly improved our understanding on the transformation of PBDD/Fs from PBDEs in the pyrolysis process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahao Liang
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guining Lu
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Rui Wang
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Ting Tang
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Kaibo Huang
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Fengyu Jiang
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Wenjie Yu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou 510225, China
| | - Xueqin Tao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou 510225, China
| | - Hua Yin
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhi Dang
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China
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Guo J, Patton L, Wang J, Xu Z. Fate and migration of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in a workshop for waste printed circuit board de-soldering. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:30342-30351. [PMID: 32451903 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-06735-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are released from the recycling process of PBDE-containing waste printed circuit board (WPCB), but studies on the mechanism of PBDE emission and migration are limited. In this study, PBDE concentrations in particulate matter (PM), dust, and fumes collected in a pilot-scale workshop for the WPCB de-soldering process were measured, and PBDE emission after gas treatment was estimated. The results showed that the mean concentrations of ∑8PBDEs in TSP and PM2.5 in the workshop were 20.3 ng/m3 (24.7 μg/g) and 16.1 ng/m3 (115 μg/g), respectively. In practice, the fumes containing gaseous and particulate PBDEs were treated by the combination of alkaline solution absorption and activated carbon adsorption. Compared to PBDE concentration in workshop floor dust (2680 ng/g), PBDE concentrations in solution scum (68,000 ng/g) and hood inside dust (20,200 ng/g) were condensed. The concentrations of ∑6PBDEs at the stack outlet (416 pg/m3) after gas treatment were lower than those in the stack pipe (1310 pg/m3) and hood inside (7440 pg/m3). The PBDEs in fumes were removed through physical adsorption of alkaline solution and activated carbon, and solution scum constituted the main mass discharges of PBDEs. The emission factor of PBDEs at the stack outlet was 47.3 ng ∑6PBDEs/kg WPCB. As a result, the WPCB de-soldering process is an important source of PBDE pollution, and gas treatment of solution absorption and activated carbon adsorption can reduce PBDE emission to some extent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Guo
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Luorong Patton
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianbo Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenming Xu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China.
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Ismail H, Hanafiah MM. A review of sustainable e-waste generation and management: Present and future perspectives. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2020; 264:110495. [PMID: 32250915 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Studies on sustainable management of waste from electrical and electronic equipment (or e-waste) have gained increasing attention from researchers around the world in recent years, with investigations into various aspects of e-waste management were investigated. Studies on e-waste generation by previous papers have been reviewed to provide an overview of the current research progress and recommendations for future research. The relevant existing studies were collected from various databases. Using content analysis, three main aspects of the existing studies were evaluated: the distribution and trends of the publications, the scope and boundaries of the studies, and the current research practices and research applications. Although there was a significant increasing trend of the amount of research on the evaluation of e-waste generation, however, the number of publications based on the countries of origin was still small. Another limitation was found related to the differences in the selection of research subjects and the level of analysis resulted in variations in the scopes and boundaries of the existing studies. Various other research areas were investigated further based on their research findings, but the analysis of various methodological aspects was complicated due to the increasing number of newly developed methodologies and the lack of comprehensive and up-to-date reviews on this research area. Additionally, there was also a need to evaluate emerging and/or older technology, which led electrical appliances to be overlooked. We found that comprehensive and up-to-date reviews of the methodological aspects of e-waste generation are still lacking. Based on the research gaps and limitations discussed, recommendations for future research were made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haikal Ismail
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; School of Technology Management and Logistics, College of Business, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010, Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia
| | - Marlia M Hanafiah
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; Centre for Tropical Climate Change System, Institute of Climate Change, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Wu JP, Wu SK, Tao L, She YZ, Chen XY, Feng WL, Zeng YH, Luo XJ, Mai BX. Bioaccumulation characteristics of PBDEs and alternative brominated flame retardants in a wild frog-eating snake. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 258:113661. [PMID: 31796314 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
While a large body of studies have examined polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and alternative brominated flame retardants (ABFRs) in wildlife, information on the bioaccumulation of these contaminants in reptiles in general, and snakes in particular, are scarce. We investigated the bioaccumulation characteristics of PBDEs and several ABFRs including decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy) ethane (BTBPE), hexabromobenzene (HBB) and pentabromotoluene (PBT) in a frog-eating snake, the striped keelback snake (Amphiesma stolata), from an e-waste recycling site in South China. The concentrations of ∑PBDEs and ∑ABFRs in the snakes ranged 53-5200 and 3.1-87 ng/g lipid weight, respectively; with higher levels in males than females. Additionally, the concentrations of BDE-28, -47, and -66 were positively correlated with snake size (snout-vent length and body mass), while negative correlations were found for most of the higher brominated PBDE congeners and HBB, PBT and BTBPE. The biomagnification factors (BMFs) estimated in the snake/frog relationship indicated a mild to moderate biomagnification of BDE-28, -47, -66, -100, -153 and -154 (with mean BMFs of 1.1-5.3), while a lack of magnification for the other PBDE congeners and all the ABFRs. This is the first report on the sex- and size-related accumulation and biomagnification potentials of PBDEs and ABFRs in snakes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang-Ping Wu
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Water and Soil Pollution Control and Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241003, China.
| | - Si-Kang Wu
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Water and Soil Pollution Control and Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241003, China
| | - Lin Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; School of Environment, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Ya-Zhe She
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Xiao-Yun Chen
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Water and Soil Pollution Control and Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241003, China
| | - Wen-Lu Feng
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Water and Soil Pollution Control and Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241003, China
| | - Yan-Hong Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Xiao-Jun Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Bi-Xian Mai
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
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Peng B, Yu ZM, Wu CC, Liu LY, Zeng L, Zeng EY. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and organophosphate esters flame retardants in play mats from China and the exposure risks for children. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 135:105348. [PMID: 31884131 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
A total of 41 play mats made from different raw materials, such as polyethylene (PE), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), chemical crosslinked polyethylene (XPE), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), were obtained from Chinese markets and analyzed for flame retardants. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and their replacements, organophosphate esters (OPEs), were measured and the associated exposure risks for children were evaluated. The levels (range; median) of OPEs (6.6-7400; 200 ng g-1) were generally 1-2 orders of magnitude higher than those of PBDEs (0.13-72; 13 ng g-1), consistent with the production and usage trends of flame retardants. The concentrations of both PBDEs and OPEs were the lowest in XPE mats (0.13-5.6; 3.3 ng g-1 for PBDEs and 6.6-320; 47 ng g-1 for OPEs) compared to the other three types. Concentration comparison and compositional analysis suggested that PBDEs and OPEs in play mats were most probably from leaching of raw materials, during production, storage, and/or transport. Children's exposure to PBDEs and OPEs from play mats was estimated for three pathways, i.e., dermal contact, inhalation, and hand-to-mouth ingestion. The combined exposure was 5-6 orders of magnitude lower than the established reference dose values, suggesting no obvious health concern regarding the occurrence of PBDEs and OPEs in play mats. Nevertheless, selection of less contaminated, i.e., XPE mats among those under investigation, by consumers is strongly recommended to minimize any potential exposure risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Peng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Zi-Min Yu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Chen-Chou Wu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Liang-Ying Liu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China.
| | - Lixi Zeng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Eddy Y Zeng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
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Guo J, Luo X, Tan S, Ogunseitan OA, Xu Z. Thermal degradation and pollutant emission from waste printed circuit boards mounted with electronic components. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 382:121038. [PMID: 31450210 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Waste printed circuit boards mounted with electronic components (WPCB-ECs) are generated from electronic waste dismantling and recycling process. Air-borne pollutants, including particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), can be released during thermal treatment of WPCB-CEs. In this study, organic substances from WPCB-ECs were pyrolyzed by both thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and in a quartz tube furnace. We discovered that board resin and solder coating were degraded in a one-stage process, whereas capacitor scarfskin and wire jacket had two degradation stages. Debromination of brominated flame retardants occurred, and HBr and phenol were the main products during TGA processing of board resin. Dehydrochlorination occurred, and HCl, benzene and toluene were detected during the pyrolysis of capacitor scarfskin. Benzene formation was found only in the first degradation stage (272-372 °C), while toluene was formed both in the two degradation stages. PM with bimodal mass size distributions at diameters of 0.45-0.5 and 4-5 μm were emitted during heating WPCB-ECs. The PM number concentrations were highest in the size ranges of 0.3-0.35 μm and 1.6-2 μm. The research produced new data on pollutant emissions during thermal treatment of WPCB-ECs, and information on strategies to prevent toxic exposures that compromise the health of recyclers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Guo
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaomei Luo
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Shufei Tan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Oladele A Ogunseitan
- Department of Population Health and Disease Prevention & School of Social Ecology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-3957, USA
| | - Zhenming Xu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China.
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Cai C, Chen L, Huang H, Liu Y, Yu S, Liu Y, Tao S, Liu W. Effects of temperature on the emission of particulate matter, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers from the thermal treatment of printed wiring boards. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2019; 380:120849. [PMID: 31315071 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.120849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The effects of temperature on the emission of pollutants during the thermal treatment of electronic waste have rarely been investigated. The emission of particulate matter (PM), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) from the thermal treatment of printed wiring boards was investigated over a temperature range of 320-600 °C. The emission factors (EFs) were determined to be within 1.6-7.6 g/kg, 2.23-11.9 μg/g, and 0.9-5.5 μg/g, respectively. High temperatures increased the formation of PAHs and CO, but decreased the emission of PBDEs, PM, and organic carbon. A temperature of 480 °C was determined to be optimal. Low-molecular-weight components were the dominant PAH species. The compositional profiles of PBDEs were clearly observed to vary with the temperature. Small particles (< 2.1 μm) that were more affected by temperature were dominant in PM, particle-bound PAHs, and PBDEs at all temperatures. High temperature increased the EFs of gaseous PAHs but had no remarkable effect on those of particulate PAHs. The freshly emitted PAHs primarily existed in the particulate phase at low temperatures, while the gaseous phase PAHs became prevailing at ≥ 520 °C. The particulate PBDEs were more susceptible to temperature and overwhelmingly dominant over the entire temperature range considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- ChuanYang Cai
- Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - LiYuan Chen
- Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - HuiJing Huang
- Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - ShuangYu Yu
- Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Shu Tao
- Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - WenXin Liu
- Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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Li TY, Ge JL, Pei J, Bao LJ, Wu CC, Zeng EY. Emissions and Occupational Exposure Risk of Halogenated Flame Retardants from Primitive Recycling of E-Waste. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:12495-12505. [PMID: 31603658 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b05027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The production and usage of non-polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) have substantially increased after the ban of several PBDEs. This has resulted in widespread environmental occurrence of non-PBDE HFRs, further amplified by emissions from primitive recycling of obsolete electronics (e-waste). The present study conducted chamber experiments to characterize 15 HFRs (∑15HFR) from thermal treatment and open burning of typical e-waste. Emission factors of ∑15HFR from thermal treatment were 2.6 × 104-3.9 × 105 ng g-1, slightly higher than those from open burning (8.8 × 103-1.0 × 105 ng g-1). Greater output over input mass ratios of ∑15HFR were obtained in thermal treatment than in open burning. Particulate and gaseous HFRs dominated the emissions in thermal treatment and open burning, respectively, largely because of the different temperatures used in the two processes. Particulate HFRs were primarily affiliated with fine particles (Dp < 1.8 μm) peaking at 0.56-1.0 or 0.32-0.56 μm in both thermal treatment and open burning. Occupational exposure to most FRs was relatively low, but several PBDEs may pose potential health risk to workers in e-waste home-workshops. Potentially accruing emissions and health risks of non-PBDE HFRs from primitive recycling of e-waste remain a great concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Yu Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment , Jinan University , Guangzhou 511443 , China
| | - Jia-Li Ge
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment , Jinan University , Guangzhou 511443 , China
| | - Jie Pei
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment , Jinan University , Guangzhou 511443 , China
| | - Lian-Jun Bao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment , Jinan University , Guangzhou 511443 , China
| | - Chen-Chou Wu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment , Jinan University , Guangzhou 511443 , China
| | - Eddy Y Zeng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment , Jinan University , Guangzhou 511443 , China
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Wu Z, Gao G, Wang Y. Effects of soil properties, heavy metals, and PBDEs on microbial community of e-waste contaminated soil. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 180:705-714. [PMID: 31151067 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metals and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are ubiquitous pollutants at electronic waste (e-waste) contaminated sites, their individual impacts on soil microbial community has attracted wide attention, however, limited research is available on the combined effects of heavy metals and PBDEs on microbial community of e-waste contaminated. Therefore, combined effects of heavy metals and PBDEs on the microbial community in the e-waste contaminated soil were investigated in this study. Samples were collected from Ziya e-waste recycling area in Tianjin, northern China, and the soil microbial communities were then analyzed by the high-throughput MiSeq 16S rRNA sequencing to assess the effects of soil properties, heavy metals, and PBDEs on the soil microbial community. Candidatus Nitrososphaera, Steroidobacter and Kaistobacter were the dominant microbial species in the soils. Similar microbial metabolic functions, including amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism and membrane transport, were found in all soil samples. Redundancy analysis and variation partition analysis revealed that the microbial community was mainly influenced by PBDEs (including BDE 183, BDE 99, BDE 100 and BDE 154) in horizontal soil samples. However, TN, biomass, BDE 100, BDE 99 and BDE 66 were the major drivers shaping the microbial community in vertical soil samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhineng Wu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China; Xinxiang Medical University, School of Public Health, Xinxiang, 453003, China
| | - Guanghai Gao
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China; State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Tsinghua University, China.
| | - Yingying Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China.
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Abbasi G, Li L, Breivik K. Global Historical Stocks and Emissions of PBDEs. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:6330-6340. [PMID: 31083912 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b07032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The first spatially and temporally resolved inventory of BDE28, 47, 99, 153, 183, and 209 in the anthroposphere and environment is presented here. The stock and emissions of PBDE congeners were estimated using a dynamic substance flow analysis model, CiP-CAFE. To evaluate our results, the emission estimates were used as input to the BETR-Global model. Estimated concentrations were compared with observed concentrations in air from background areas. The global (a) in-use and (b) waste stocks of ∑5BDE(28, 47, 99, 153, 183) and BDE209 are estimated to be (a) ∼25 and 400 kt and (b) 13 and 100 kt, respectively, in 2018. A total of 6 (0.3-13) and 10.5 (9-12) kt of ∑5BDE and BDE209, respectively, has been emitted to the atmosphere by 2018. More than 70% of PBDE emissions during production and use occurred in the industrialized regions, while more than 70% of the emissions during waste disposal occurred in the less industrialized regions. A total of 70 kt of ∑5BDE and BDE209 was recycled within products since 1970. As recycling rates are expected to increase under the circular economy, an additional 45 kt of PBDEs (mainly BDE209) may reappear in new products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Golnoush Abbasi
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research , Box 100, NO-2027 Kjeller , Norway
| | - Li Li
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences , University of Toronto Scarborough , 1265 Military Trail , Toronto , Ontario , Canada M1C 1A4
| | - Knut Breivik
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research , Box 100, NO-2027 Kjeller , Norway
- Department of Chemistry , University of Oslo , Box 1033, NO-0315 Oslo , Norway
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Guo J, Ji A, Wang J, Ogunseitan OA, Xu Z. Emission characteristics and exposure assessment of particulate matter and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) from waste printed circuit boards de-soldering. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 662:530-536. [PMID: 30699373 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.01.176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Heating processes for the removal of electronic components from waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) is an important step in the chain of electronic waste recycling, and toxic fumes are generated during the de-soldering process, causing environmental pollution and posing health risks for the workers. This study is aimed to characterize emission and deposition fluxes of respirable particulate matter (PM), and assess exposure of workers to particle-bound polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). An electrical low-pressure impactor was used to measure the real-time PM concentrations inside and outside the hood during the WPCBs de-soldering process. The results show that PM mass concentration inside the hood (204 mg/m3) was significantly higher than outside the hood (9.4 mg/m3), representing 95.4% PM removal by the hood. According to the International Commission on Radiological Protection model, the total deposition fluxes of PM in head airways region, tracheobronchial region, and alveolar region were determined as 1930, 74.0, and 123 μg/h, respectively. The deposition flux for coarse particles (2.5-10 μm) in the head airways was the largest (1830 μg/h), accounting for 86.1% of total PM deposited in respiratory system. The ∑8PBDEs concentration in PM10 inside the WPCBs de-soldering workshop was 20,300 pg/m3, and the ∑8PBDEs inhalation exposure for the worker was 1.46 ng/kg/day. This study improves understanding of PM emission mechanisms and provides fundamental data for health assessments during WPCBs de-soldering process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Guo
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China; Department of Population Health and Disease Prevention & School of Social Ecology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-3957, USA
| | - Ang Ji
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Jianbo Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Oladele A Ogunseitan
- Department of Population Health and Disease Prevention & School of Social Ecology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-3957, USA
| | - Zhenming Xu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China.
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Li TY, Bao LJ, Wu CC, Liu LY, Wong CS, Zeng EY. Organophosphate flame retardants emitted from thermal treatment and open burning of e-waste. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2019; 367:390-396. [PMID: 30611031 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.12.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) have been increasingly produced and consumed since the gradual phase-out of polybrominated diphenyl ethers. Primitive recycling of e-waste can be a significant input source of OPFRs to the environment. Thermal treatment and open burning of typical e-wastes were conducted in a closed chamber to examine the emissions and the size distribution patterns of particle-bound OPFRs from these processes. The sum emission factors of OPFRs were 3.70 × 104-3.65 × 105 ng g-1 by thermal treatment and 5.22 × 103-9.27 × 104 ng g-1 by open burning. The output-input mass ratios of OPFRs for plastic casings were 0.030-116 and 0.012-7.1 by thermal treatment and open burning, respectively, and were 0.11-40 and 0.0014-6.7 for printed circuit boards. The size distribution patterns of OPFRs were characterized by one unimodal peak (0.56-1.0 μm) for thermal treatment and bimodal peaks (0.56-1.0 or 1.0-1.8 and 10-18 μm) for open burning. Particle-bound OPFRs appeared to form in affiliation with particles rather than by adsorption or deposition from the gaseous phase to particulate organic matter. With increasing amounts of OPFRs used in a variety of consumer products, the emissions of OPFRs to the environment are expected to increase continuously in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Yu Li
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Lian-Jun Bao
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Chen-Chou Wu
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Liang-Ying Liu
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Charles S Wong
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China; Department of Environmental Studies and Sciences and Department of Chemistry, The University of Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2E9, Canada
| | - Eddy Y Zeng
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China.
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Liu K, Yang J, Hou H, Liang S, Chen Y, Wang J, Liu B, Xiao K, Hu J, Deng H. Facile and Cost-Effective Approach for Copper Recovery from Waste Printed Circuit Boards via a Sequential Mechanochemical/Leaching/Recrystallization Process. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:2748-2757. [PMID: 30698959 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b06081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The recovery of copper (Cu0) from waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) is a great challenge as a result of its heterogeneous structural properties, with a mixture of metals, epoxy resin, and fiberglass. In this study, a three-step sequential process, including mechanochemical processing, water leaching, and recrystallization, for Cu0 recovery from WPCB powder is reported. Potassium persulfate (K2S2O8), instead of acid/alkali reagents, was employed as the sole reagent in the cupric sulfate (CuSO4) regeneration process. Complete oxidation of Cu0 in the WPCBs to copper oxide (CuO) and CuSO4 was first achieved during mechanochemical processing with K2S2O8 as the solid oxidant, and the K2S2O8 was simultaneously converted to sulfate compounds [K3H(SO4)2] via a solid-solid reaction with epoxy resin (C nH mO y) as the hydrogen donator under mechanical force. The rapid leaching of Cu species in the forms of CuO and CuSO4 was therefore easily realized with pure water as a nontoxic leaching reagent. The kinetics of the leaching process of Cu species was confirmed to follow the shrinking nucleus model controlled by solid-film diffusion. Finally, CuSO4·5H2O was successfully separated by cooling crystallization of the hot saturated solution of sulfate salt [K2Cu(SO4)2·6H2O]. An efficient conversion of Cu0 to CuSO4·5H2O product, for WPCB recycling, was therefore established.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Huali Deng
- Dongjiang Environmental Protection Company, Limited , Shenzhen , Guangdong 518000 , People's Republic of China
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