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Guo J, Chen Z, Chen X, Xu Z, Ruan J. Organophosphate flame retardants in air from formal e-waste recycling workshops in China: Size-distribution, gas-particle partitioning and exposure assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 359:124593. [PMID: 39043313 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124593] [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: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
In order to understand the organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) pollution and evaluate the inhalation exposure risk in formal e-waste recycling facilities, the air concentrations, particle size distribution and gas-particle partitioning of OPFRs in four typical workshops were investigated. The total Σ15OPFR concentrations inside workshops were in the range of 64.7-682 ng/m3, with 5.80-23.4 ng/m3 in gas phase and 58.8-658 ng/m3 in particle phase. Triphenyl phosphate (TPHP) and tris(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP) were main analogs, both of which contributed to 49.0-85.7% of total OPFRs. In the waste printed circuit boards thermal treatment workshop, the OPFRs concentration was the highest, and particle-bound OPFRs mainly distributed in 0.7-1.1 μm particles. The proportions of TPHP in different size particles increased as the decrease of particle size, while TCIPP presented an opposite trend. The gas-particle partitioning of OPFR analogs was dominated by absorption process, and did not reach equilibrium state due to continuous emission of OPFRs from the recycling activities. The deposition fluxes of OPFRs in respiratory tract were 65.7-639 ng/h, and the estimated daily intake doses of OPFRs were 8.52-76.9 ng/(kg·day) in four workshops. Inhalation exposure was an important exposure pathway for e-waste recycling workers, and deposition fluxes of size-segregated OPFRs were mainly in head airways region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Guo
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 516 Jungong Road, Shanghai, 200093, PR China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, PR China.
| | - Zhenyu Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, PR China
| | - Xuan Chen
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 516 Jungong Road, Shanghai, 200093, PR China
| | - Zhenming Xu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, PR China
| | - Jujun Ruan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, 135 West Xingang Road, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China
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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] [MESH Headings] [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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Wang R, Zhang Z, Chen X, Zhan L, Xu Z. Research on compound pollution characteristics and health risk evaluation of particulate matter and heavy metals in waste glass recycling process. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 337:122570. [PMID: 37717900 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122570] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Owing to the large amount of waste glass generated, the waste glass recycling base is an indispensable municipal supporting facility of a sustainable city. However, waste glass recycling is a complex process involving stages such as multiple-stage crushing and material sorting. Consequently, waste glass recycling base has a considerable impact on the surrounding environment, such as health risk of particulate matter on workers. In this study, we aimed to perform a comprehensive investigation and analysis of compound pollution characteristics and health risk evaluation of particulate matter and heavy metals generated from waste glass recycling process. Soil, particulate fallout, and glass samples were collected from inside and outside a recycling plant in eastern China. Our findings showed that the waste glass treatment process produces a large amount of air particulate matter, and the PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations can reach 3725 and 4055 μg/m3, respectively, in the production workshop during working hours. Meanwhile, the monitoring results show that the concentration of heavy metals on fine particles is higher compared to coarse particles. The high Zn and Pb concentrations detected in the soil and dustfall were proved to be derived from the glass raw materials. However, health risk assessment and particle deposition modeling in the human respiratory system revealed that heavy metals from the air particulate matter have no significant carcinogenicity or non-carcinogenic risk. The Gaussian dispersion model showed that the impact of particulate matter on the surrounding environment and health of the surrounding residents is minimal. Furthermore, transportation is the major emission link according to the particulate emission calculation, indicating that it is imperative to upgrade and reform the existing processes of waste glass recycling. Taken together, this study provides a scientific basis for the green development of waste glass recycling process and further environmental information regarding waste glass recycling plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruixue Wang
- Shanghai Innovation Center of Reverse Logistics and Supply Chain, Shanghai Polytechnic University, 2360 Jinhai Road, Shanghai 201209, People's Republic of China; School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Polytechnic University, 2360 Jinhai Road, Shanghai 201209, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zijing Zhang
- Shanghai Innovation Center of Reverse Logistics and Supply Chain, Shanghai Polytechnic University, 2360 Jinhai Road, Shanghai 201209, People's Republic of China; School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Polytechnic University, 2360 Jinhai Road, Shanghai 201209, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xinghua Chen
- Shanghai Innovation Center of Reverse Logistics and Supply Chain, Shanghai Polytechnic University, 2360 Jinhai Road, Shanghai 201209, People's Republic of China; School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Polytechnic University, 2360 Jinhai Road, Shanghai 201209, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lu Zhan
- 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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Yang C, Jiang Y, Zhao W, Peng J, Liu Y, Lin X, Zhang J. Characterization and distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in shellfish in Shenzhen coastal waters and assessment of human health risks. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 191:114957. [PMID: 37146551 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the profiles of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in shellfish obtained from Shenzhen coastal waters and assess the potential health risks. We analyzed 74 shellfish samples from eight different species for PBDEs (BDE-28, -47, -99, -100, -153, -154, -183, -209). The concentrations of total PBDEs in different shellfish species ranged from 2.02 to 360.17 pg g-1 wet weight, with the highest levels found in Pectinidae, Babylonia areolate, Ostreidae, Perna viridis, Haliotis diversicolor, Corbiculidae, Pinctada margaritifera, and Veneridae in descending order. Among the PBDE congeners analyzed, BDE-47 was the most abundant, followed by BDE-154 and BDE-153. Furthermore, the estimated daily intake of PBDEs through shellfish consumption for Shenzhen residents were between 0.11 and 0.19 ng kg-1(bw) day-1. To our knowledge, this is the first study to systematically investigate the profiles of PBDEs in eight different shellfish species from Shenzhen's coastal waters and evaluate the potential human health risks associated with shellfish consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxue Yang
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yousheng Jiang
- Department of POPs Lab, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenjun Zhao
- Department of POPs Lab, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jinling Peng
- Department of POPs Lab, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- Department of POPs Lab, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoshi Lin
- Department of POPs Lab, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jianqing Zhang
- Department of POPs Lab, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China.
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Wang X, Wang G, Li C, Liu Y, Jiang N, Dong X, Wang H. Systematic characterization of sediment microbial community structure and function associated with anaerobic microbial degradation of PBDEs in coastal wetland. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 188:114622. [PMID: 36701973 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114622] [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: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
As the widely used flame retardant, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been ubiquitously detected in wetland sediments. Microbial degradation is the importantly natural attenuation process for PBDEs in sediments. In this study, the microbial degradation of PBDEs and inherent alternation of microbial communities were explored in anaerobic sediments from coastal wetland, North China. BDE-47 and BDE-153 could be degraded by the indigenous microbes, with biodegradation following pseudo-first-order kinetic. In sediments, the major genera for BDE-47 and BDE-153 degradation were Paeisporosarcina and Gp7, respectively, in single exposure. However, Marinobacter was dominant genera in the combined exposure to BDE-47 and BDE-153, and competition against Marinobacter existed between BDE-47 and BDE-153 degradation. Analysis of bacterial metabolic function indicated that membrane transport, amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism were included in degradation. This study provides the systematic characterization of the sediment microbial community structure and function associated anaerobic microbial degradation of PBDEs in coastal wetland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, No. 1 Linghai Road, Dalian 116026, PR China
| | - Guoguang Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, No. 1 Linghai Road, Dalian 116026, PR China.
| | - Chuanyuan Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, No. 1 Linghai Road, Dalian 116026, PR China
| | - Yu Liu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, No. 1 Linghai Road, Dalian 116026, PR China.
| | - Na Jiang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, No. 1 Linghai Road, Dalian 116026, PR China
| | - Xu Dong
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, No. 1 Linghai Road, Dalian 116026, PR China
| | - Haixia Wang
- Navigation College, Dalian Maritime University, No.1 Linghai Road, Dalian 116026, PR China
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Jia S, Zhang Q, Yang L, Sarkar S, Krishnan P, Mao J, Hang J, Chang M, Zhang Y, Wang X, Chen W. Deposition of ambient particles in the human respiratory system based on single particle analysis: A case study in the Pearl River Delta, China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 283:117056. [PMID: 33862340 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117056] [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: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
It is important to evaluate how ambient particles are deposited in the human respiratory system in view of the adverse effects they pose to human health. Traditional methods of investigating human exposure to ambient particles suffer from drawbacks related either to the lack of chemical information from particle number-based measurements or to the poor time resolution of mass-based measurements. To address these issues, in this study, human exposure to ambient particulate matter was investigated using single particle analysis, which provided chemical information with a high time resolution. Based on single particle measurements conducted in the Pearl River Delta, China, nine particle types were identified, and EC (elemental carbon) particles were determined to be the most dominant type of particle. In general, the submicron size mode was dominant in terms of the number concentration for all of the particle types, except for Na-rich and dust particles. On average, around 34% of particles were deposited in the human respiratory system with 13.9%, 7.9%, and 12.6% being distributed in the head, tracheobronchial, and pulmonary regions, respectively. The amount of Na-rich particles deposited was the highest, followed by EC. The overall deposition efficiencies of the Na-rich and dust particles were higher than those of the other particle types due to their higher efficiencies in the head region, which could be caused by the greater sedimentation and impaction rates of larger particles. In the head region, the Na-rich particles made the largest contribution (30.5%) due to their high deposition efficiency, whereas in the tracheobronchial and pulmonary regions, EC made the largest contribution due to its high concentration. In summary, the findings of this initial trial demonstrate the applicability of single particle analysis to the assessment of human exposure to ambient particles and its potential to support traditional methods of analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiguo Jia
- School of Atmospheric Sciences, & Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Field Observation and Research Station for Climate Environment and Air Quality Change in the Pearl River Estuary, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China
| | - Qi Zhang
- School of Atmospheric Sciences, & Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, PR China
| | - Liming Yang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117576, Singapore
| | - Sayantan Sarkar
- School of Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mandi, Kamand, Himachal Pradesh, 175005, India
| | - Padmaja Krishnan
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Drive 2, 117576, Singapore
| | - Jingying Mao
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Joint Laboratory of Collaborative Innovation for Environmental Quality, Institute for Environmental and Climate Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, PR China
| | - Jian Hang
- School of Atmospheric Sciences, & Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Field Observation and Research Station for Climate Environment and Air Quality Change in the Pearl River Estuary, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China
| | - Ming Chang
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Joint Laboratory of Collaborative Innovation for Environmental Quality, Institute for Environmental and Climate Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, PR China
| | - Yiqiang Zhang
- South China Institute of Environmental Science, MEE, Guangzhou, 510530, PR China
| | - Xuemei Wang
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Joint Laboratory of Collaborative Innovation for Environmental Quality, Institute for Environmental and Climate Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, PR China
| | - Weihua Chen
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Joint Laboratory of Collaborative Innovation for Environmental Quality, Institute for Environmental and Climate Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, PR China.
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Côté D, Gravel S, Gladu S, Bakhiyi B, Gravel S. Worker health in formal electronic waste recycling plants. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF WORKPLACE HEALTH MANAGEMENT 2021. [DOI: 10.1108/ijwhm-04-2020-0049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PurposeThis article explores the protective measures and the occupational health and safety (OHS) prevention strategies in place in the formal electronic equipment recycling (e-recycling) industry, more specifically in the Greater Montreal area (Quebec, Canada) and their consequences: health inequalities and level of compliance with environmental standards.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews were conducted using two respondent-specific questionnaires, one for workers and one for supervisors. Data collection and analytic procedures drew from qualitative content analysis. It was tempted to identify differences in OHS practices in relation to the workers' employment status and to link the companies' OHS concerns to their level of compliance with environmental standards.FindingsThe article highlights specific OHS issues in the formal e-recycling industry. Enforcing compliance with environmental standards as a lever for promoting OHS appears to be a promising strategy. Another main finding was the workforce diversity and related OHS vulnerabilities in this industry and the challenges they pose to employers' ability to adequately and equally reach and protect all workers involved.Originality/valueTo date, too little attention appears to have been paid to working conditions and worker protection in this rapidly growing sector. Specific prevention programmes could be implemented and adapted to the industry's diverse workforce and its multiple OHS vulnerabilities. This issue calls for the international community to take responsibility, as many electronic waste (e-waste) generated worldwide is shipped to developing countries, where lack of regulation and control is much more striking in a sector that remains very largely informal.
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Li QQ, Wang T, Zeng Y, Fan Y, Chen SJ, Mai BX. Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in PM 2.5 associated with various source sectors in southern China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2021; 23:179-187. [PMID: 33427269 DOI: 10.1039/d0em00443j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The present study investigates legacy and novel brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in atmospheric PM2.5 associated with various urban source sectors in a city and electronic waste (e-waste) recycling facilities in southern China. The concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and novel BFRs (∑2NBFRs) at the urban industrial park (UIP) sites varied greatly from 22.0 to 105 pg m-3 and from to 29.7 to 459 pg m-3, respectively, and higher concentrations were generally found at sites involving industrial sectors of electronics, plastics, and machinery. Their spatial variations at other urban potential source sites were small suggesting a lack of strong point emissions. The levels of PBDEs and ∑2NBFRs at the e-waste facilities (220-2356 pg m-3 and 83.6-569 pg m-3) were significantly higher and did not temporally decline, indicating that improvement in e-waste recycling techniques does not significantly reduce emissions of PBDEs. NBFRs dominated the BFRs at the urban sites (55% on average), while PBDEs were still dominant (78%) at the e-waste sites. PBDE congener profiles in PM2.5 were substantially different from those in commercial mixtures. The congener profiles as well as their correlations suggested frequent formation of lower brominated PBDEs from degradation of highly brominated congeners in this region, which became appreciable due to the reduced emissions. The significant correlations among the lower brominated congeners also reflected similar environmental behaviors due to similar physicochemical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Qi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Tao Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, 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.
| | - Yun Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - She-Jun Chen
- 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.
| | - Bi-Xian Mai
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
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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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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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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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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: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [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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