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Chen Z, Ma T, Liu W, Yuan G, Pan X, Zhang M, Luan X, Cui Z, Xin J. Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs) in China Over the Past Half-Century: Stocks, Flows, Fates, and Ecological Risks. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:13613-13623. [PMID: 39051121 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c00183] [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: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
China is a significant producer and consumer of various brominated flame retardants (BFRs), raising environmental concerns due to their widespread presence and potential threats to ecosystems and organisms. This study adopts a life cycle perspective, combining material flow analysis, multimedia environmental modeling, and ecological risk assessment to systematically analyze the substance metabolism and ecological risks of six BFR types in China from 1970 to 2021. The findings reveal that China's cumulative BFR consumption reached 3.3 Mt, with the electronics sector being the predominant contributor at 52.1%. Consequently, 1.5 kt of BFRs were released into the environment, with 24.9%, 31.5%, and 43.6% being discharged into the air, water, and soil, respectively. Notably, the proportion of novel BFRs in emissions has steadily increased over the years, exemplified by the increase in decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) from 21.3% in 2010 to 30.1% in 2021. Geographically, BFR concentrations are higher in the eastern and southwestern regions compared to those in the northwest. Presently, certain BFRs like tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and DBDPE exhibit moderate to high ecological risks, primarily concentrated in the Shandong and Sichuan provinces. A combination of efficient recycling, emission control, and substitution with novel flame-retardant can minimize the exposure of BFRs to the environment and organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihui Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Tengyun Ma
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Wei Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Environmental Processes and Health, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Gang Yuan
- Jiaozhou Branch, Qingdao Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment, Qingdao 266300, China
| | - Xin Pan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Mingyue Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Xiaoyu Luan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Zhaojie Cui
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Jia Xin
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
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Cseresznye A, Hardy EM, Ait Bamai Y, Cleys P, Poma G, Malarvannan G, Scheepers PTJ, Viegas S, Martins C, Porras SP, Santonen T, Godderis L, Verdonck J, Poels K, João Silva M, Louro H, Martinsone I, Akūlova L, van Dael M, van Nieuwenhuyse A, Mahiout S, Duca RC, Covaci A. HBM4EU E-waste study: Assessing persistent organic pollutants in blood, silicone wristbands, and settled dust among E-waste recycling workers in Europe. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 250:118537. [PMID: 38408627 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118537] [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: 01/06/2024] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
E-waste recycling is an increasingly important activity that contributes to reducing the burden of end-of-life electronic and electrical apparatus and allows for the EU's transition to a circular economy. This study investigated the exposure levels of selected persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in workers from e-waste recycling facilities across Europe. The concentrations of seven polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and eight polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) congeners were measured by GC-MS. Workers were categorized into five groups based on the type of e-waste handled and two control groups. Generalized linear models were used to assess the determinants of exposure levels among workers. POPs levels were also assessed in dust and silicone wristbands (SWB) and compared with serum. Four PCB congeners (CB 118, 138, 153, and 180) were frequently detected in serum regardless of worker's category. With the exception of CB 118, all tested PCBs were significantly higher in workers compared to the control group. Controls working in the same company as occupationally exposed (Within control group), also displayed higher levels of serum CB 180 than non-industrial controls with no known exposures to these chemicals (Outwith controls) (p < 0.05). BDE 209 was the most prevalent POP in settled dust (16 μg/g) and SWB (220 ng/WB). Spearman correlation revealed moderate to strong positive correlations between SWB and dust. Increased age and the number of years smoked cigarettes were key determinants for workers exposure. Estimated daily intake through dust ingestion revealed that ΣPCB was higher for both the 50th (0.03 ng/kg bw/day) and 95th (0.09 ng/kg bw/day) percentile exposure scenarios compared to values reported for the general population. This study is one of the first to address the occupational exposure to PCBs and PBDEs in Europe among e-waste workers through biomonitoring combined with analysis of settled dust and SWB. Our findings suggest that e-waste workers may face elevated PCB exposure and that appropriate exposure assessments are needed to establish effective mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Cseresznye
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Emilie M Hardy
- Environmental Hygiene and Human Biological Monitoring, Department of Health Protection, Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS), Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Yu Ait Bamai
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Paulien Cleys
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Giulia Poma
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Govindan Malarvannan
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Paul T J Scheepers
- Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Susana Viegas
- Comprehensive Health Research Center, NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, NOVA University Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Carla Martins
- Comprehensive Health Research Center, NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, NOVA University Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Simo P Porras
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tiina Santonen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lode Godderis
- Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Idewe, External Service for Prevention and Protection at Work, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Jelle Verdonck
- Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katrien Poels
- Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maria João Silva
- ToxOmics -Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health, Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge (INSA), NOVA Medical School, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Henriqueta Louro
- ToxOmics -Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health, Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge (INSA), NOVA Medical School, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Inese Martinsone
- Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Rīgas Stradiņš University, Riga, Latvia
| | - Lāsma Akūlova
- Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Rīgas Stradiņš University, Riga, Latvia
| | - Maurice van Dael
- Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - An van Nieuwenhuyse
- Environmental Hygiene and Human Biological Monitoring, Department of Health Protection, Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS), Luxembourg, Luxembourg; Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Selma Mahiout
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Radu Corneliu Duca
- Environmental Hygiene and Human Biological Monitoring, Department of Health Protection, Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS), Luxembourg, Luxembourg; Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
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Zhang Y, Xie J, Ouyang Y, Li S, Sun Y, Tan W, Ren L, Zhou X. Adverse outcome pathways of PBDEs inducing male reproductive toxicity. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 240:117598. [PMID: 37939807 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117598] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are widely used brominated flame retardants, they are easily released into environment and causing adverse effects to the ecosystem and human health. This review aims to summarize the research status of PBDEs-induced male reproductive toxicity and its mechanisms at various levels such as molecular/cellular, tissue/organ and individual/population. The Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) diagram showed that PBDEs-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, disruptions of estrogen receptor-α (ERα) and antagonism of androgen receptor (AR) were defined as critical molecular initiating events (MIEs). They caused key events (KEs) at the molecular and cellular levels, including oxidative stress, increased DNA damage, damaging mitochondria, increased glycolipid levels and apoptosis, depletion of ectoplasmic specialization and decreased Leydig cells numbers. These in turn lead to followed KEs at the tissue or organ levels, such as the impaired spermatogenesis, impaired blood-testis barrier and reduced testosterone synthesis and function. As a result, reproductive system-related adverse outcomes (AOs) were reported, such as the decreased sperm quantity or quality, shorten male anogenital distance and cryptorchidism in individual and reduced reproduction of the population. This review assembled information on the mechanisms of male reproductive toxicity induced by PBDEs, and constructed a causal mechanism relationship diagram from different levels using the an AOP framework to provide theoretical basis for ecological risk assessment and environmental management of PBDEs. The AOP framework makes it possible to develop risk management strategies based on toxicity mechanisms and support for development of Integrated Approach to Testing and Assessment (IATA) which are available for regulatory purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhang
- Department of Toxicology and Hygienic Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Junhong Xie
- Department of Toxicology and Hygienic Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yixin Ouyang
- Department of Toxicology and Hygienic Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Shuang Li
- Department of Toxicology and Hygienic Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yulin Sun
- Department of Toxicology and Hygienic Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Weilun Tan
- Department of Toxicology and Hygienic Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Lihua Ren
- School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xianqing Zhou
- Department of Toxicology and Hygienic Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
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Burgos Melo HD, de Souza-Araujo J, Benavides Garzón LG, Macedo JC, Cardoso R, Mancini SD, Harrad S, Rosa AH. Concentrations and legislative aspects of PBDEs in plastic of waste electrical and electronic equipment in Brazil. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167349. [PMID: 37769718 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) have been widely used as additives in polymeric products such as electronic and electrical equipment (EEE) to help meet fire safety regulations. However, some BFRs like polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), are now listed under the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and banned in many countries, due to their adverse health impacts, environmental persistence, and capacity for bioaccumulation and long-range atmospheric transport. Despite this, in Brazil, only a few studies exist of the presence of these contaminants in the environment, and even fewer in waste EEE (WEEE). Against this backdrop, this study measured the presence of PBDEs in samples (n = 159) of WEEE in the metropolitan region of Sorocaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil. PBDEs were detected in 149 samples, with concentrations in 18 samples exceeding the European Union's Low POP Content Limit (LPCL) of 1000 mg/kg. Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) was the congener present at the highest concentration in most samples, with those of other PBDEs such as BDE-47 much lower. In general, samples containing >1000 mg/kg are those categorised as display items and miscellaneous EEE (n = 15.27 %), comprising: parts from cathode ray tube TVs (n = 11), audio systems (n = 2), and LCD TVs (n = 2). In addition, in 5 % (n = 3) of IT and telecommunications equipment samples (computer parts) PBDE concentrations exceeded 1000 mg/kg. Our results show the need for greater control and monitoring of the presence of these pollutants in WEEE before recycling and final disposal, to prevent PBDEs entering the recycling stream.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hansel David Burgos Melo
- Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Av. Três de Março, 511, Alto da Boa Vista, 18087-180 Sorocaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliana de Souza-Araujo
- Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Av. Três de Março, 511, Alto da Boa Vista, 18087-180 Sorocaba, SP, Brazil
| | | | - João Carlos Macedo
- Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Av. Três de Março, 511, Alto da Boa Vista, 18087-180 Sorocaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Rafael Cardoso
- Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Av. Três de Março, 511, Alto da Boa Vista, 18087-180 Sorocaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Sandro Donnini Mancini
- Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Av. Três de Março, 511, Alto da Boa Vista, 18087-180 Sorocaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Stuart Harrad
- School of Geography, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - André Henrique Rosa
- Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Av. Três de Março, 511, Alto da Boa Vista, 18087-180 Sorocaba, SP, Brazil.
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Copper recovery through biohydrometallurgy route: chemical and physical characterization of magnetic (m), non-magnetic (nm) and mix samples from obsolete smartphones. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 2022:10.1007/s00449-022-02775-z. [PMID: 36097089 DOI: 10.1007/s00449-022-02775-z] [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: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The more modern electronics are, the smaller and complex printed circuit boards are. Thus, these materials are continually changed (physicochemically), increasing the copper concentrations in smartphones. In this sense, it is challenging to set standardized recycling processes to improve metal recovery. In addition, biohydrometallurgy is a clean and cheap process to obtain critical metals from low-grade sources and waste electronic equipment. Therefore, the aim of this work was to characterize, physicochemically, 21 PCBs from smartphones manufactured from 2010 to 2015, and then to recover the copper by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (biohydrometallurgy). The PCBs were comminuted and separated into Magnetic (M), Nonmagnetic (NM) and without magnetic separation (MIX) samples. It was identified 217.8; 560.3 and 401.3 mg Cu/g of PCBs for M, NM and MIX samples, respectively. Regarding biohydrometallurgy, the culture media iron-supplemented (NM + Fe and MIX + Fe) increased the copper content by 2.6 and 7.2%, respectively, and the magnetic separation step was insignificant.
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Cai K, Song Q, Yuan W, Yang G, Li J. Composition changes, releases, and potential exposure risk of PBDEs from typical E-waste plastics. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 424:127227. [PMID: 34597928 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Since Stockholm Convention listed polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) as persistent organic pollutants and banned their addition, alternative halogen flame retardants (AHFRs) have been substituted for PBDEs. This study systematically investigates the change trends of PBDEs and AHFRs from typical e-waste plastics and dust, as well as clarifying human exposure risks of PBDEs in formal and informal e-waste recycling enterprises, repair store and residential building. The results show that the PBDEs levels in five typical types of e-waste vary in the range of 1.08 × 10-3-30.8 μg/g, meeting the requirements of RoHS regulation. Compared with the residential buildings (1.49-1.68 μg/g), PBDEs in the dust from the formal and informal e-waste recycling enterprises are much higher, ranging from 4.70 to 536 μg/g. BDE-209 is the main congener in most e-waste plastic and dust samples. Meanwhile, AHFRs have become the important composition (3.5-61.5%) in e-waste plastics, while its contribution is lower in dust, implying the higher enrichment efficiency of PBDEs. For PBDEs exposure, the dust intake risk of PBDEs is much higher than skin contact for the workers, and the highest hazard quotient (HQ) value (1.40 × 10-1) and cancer risk (CR) value (1.21 × 10-7) both imply safe exposure levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaihan Cai
- Macao Environmental Research Institute, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China; Macao Institute of Systems Engineering, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China
| | - Qingbin Song
- Macao Environmental Research Institute, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China.
| | - Wenyi Yuan
- Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Centre for WEEE Recycling, Shanghai Second Polytechnic University, Shanghai 201209, China
| | - Guiming Yang
- Foshan Shunde Xinhuanbao Resource Utilization Co., Ltd, Foshan 528000, China
| | - Jinhui Li
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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Chen W, Liu C, Wei B, Bao J, Wang Y, Hu J, Jin J, Zeng F. Uptake and translocation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in the rhizosphere soil-crop-atmosphere system in e-waste dismantling areas in Taizhou, China. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 280:130586. [PMID: 33945898 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Air, crop, and rhizosphere soil samples were collected from e-waste dismantling areas in Taizhou City (Zhejiang Province, China). The mean PBDEs (Polybrominated diphenyl ethers) concentrations in air in the Fengjiang and Binhai areas were 27.8 and 25.1 pg m-3, respectively (no significant difference, P > 0.05). The mean PBDE concentrations in rhizosphere soil from Fengjiang and Binhai were 9.19 × 104 and 1.34 × 103 pg g-1 dry weight, respectively (no significant difference, P > 0.05). The mean PBDE concentrations in the crop samples from Fengjiang and Binhai were 1.38 × 103 and 6.64 × 102 pg g-1 dry weight, respectively (no significant difference, P > 0.05). PBDEs with≥6 bromine atoms (BDEs-153, -154, -183, and -190) were not translocated from the crop roots to other tissues. PBDEs were taken up by crops selectively. The root epidermis effectively prevented PBDEs from entering edible crop parts and kept the PBDE concentrations in edible roots low. PBDEs with≤5 bromine atoms (BDEs-15, -28, -47, -66, -85, -99, and -100) were selectively enriched from the rhizosphere soil into crop roots, but PBDEs with more bromine substituents were not transferred from the rhizosphere soil to the crop roots. PBDEs with≥6 bromine atoms were selectively enriched from the atmosphere into crop leaves. Crop roots and leaves took up PBDEs with ortho bromine substituents more readily than PBDEs with meta bromine substituents because the octanol-water partition coefficients are lower for ortho-brominated than meta-brominated PBDEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenming Chen
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, PR China
| | - Chen Liu
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, PR China
| | - Baokai Wei
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, PR China
| | - Junsong Bao
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, PR China
| | - Ying Wang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, PR China
| | - Jicheng Hu
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, PR China
| | - Jun Jin
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, PR China; Beijing Food and Environmental Health Engineering Center, Beijing, 100081, PR China.
| | - Fangang Zeng
- School of Environment and Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, PR China.
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Yin H, Ma J, Li Z, Li Y, Meng T, Tang Z. Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers and Heavy Metals in a Regulated E-Waste Recycling Site, Eastern China: Implications for Risk Management. Molecules 2021; 26:2169. [PMID: 33918776 PMCID: PMC8069465 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26082169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Serious pollution of multiple chemicals in irregulated e-waste recycling sites (IR-sites) were extensively investigated. However, little is known about the pollution in regulated sites. This study investigated the occurrence of 21 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and 10 metals in a regulated site, in Eastern China. The concentrations of PBDEs and Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb, and Zn in soils and sediments were 1-4 and 1-3 orders of magnitude lower than those reported in the IR-sites, respectively. However, these were generally comparable to those in the urban and industrial areas. In general, a moderate pollution of PBDEs and metals was present in the vegetables in this area. A health risk assessment model was used to calculate human exposure to metals in soils. The summed non-carcinogenic risks of metals and PBDEs in the investigated soils were 1.59-3.27 and 0.25-0.51 for children and adults, respectively. Arsenic contributed to 47% of the total risks and As risks in 71.4% of the total soil samples exceeded the acceptable level. These results suggested that the pollution from e-waste recycling could be substantially decreased by the regulated activities, relative to poorly controlled operations, but arsenic pollution from the regulated cycling should be further controlled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongmin Yin
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China; (H.Y.); (T.M.)
| | - Jiayi Ma
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China; (J.M.); (Y.L.)
| | - Zhidong Li
- Cangzhou Ecology and Environment Bureau, Cangzhou 061000, China;
| | - Yonghong Li
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China; (J.M.); (Y.L.)
| | - Tong Meng
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China; (H.Y.); (T.M.)
| | - Zhenwu Tang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China; (H.Y.); (T.M.)
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China; (J.M.); (Y.L.)
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Han Y, Cheng J, He L, Zhang M, Ren S, Sun J, Xing X, Tang Z. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in soils from Tianjin, North China: distribution, health risk, and temporal trends. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2021; 43:1177-1191. [PMID: 32607699 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-020-00645-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Available information is still insufficient for a comprehensive understanding of the global distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the environment. In particular, little is known about the changing trend of their distribution in urban soils. We conducted a survey of 21 PBDEs in urban soils from Tianjin, China. The chemicals were widely present in the area and summed concentrations ranged from 0.65 to 108 ng/g in soil, indicating low to moderate levels of pollution relative to other areas. BDE-209 was the predominant congener, contributing 88.9% of the concentrations of total soil PBDEs. Source assessment indicated that soil PBDEs in the area were mainly derived from the release of commercial deca-BDE from local industrial production processes and consumer products. We found that the soil concentrations of PBDEs appear to have declined in recent years, compared with other previous reports in this region. However, more studies are needed on this possible change trend of PBDE pollution, especially its impact on human health, although their calculated non-carcinogenic health risks in this study were low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Han
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Jiali Cheng
- National Institute for Nutrition and Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Lei He
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, 610101, China
| | - Minna Zhang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Shan Ren
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Jiazheng Sun
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Xiangyang Xing
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Zhenwu Tang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, China.
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, China.
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Maddela NR, Venkateswarlu K, Kakarla D, Megharaj M. Inevitable human exposure to emissions of polybrominated diphenyl ethers: A perspective on potential health risks. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 266:115240. [PMID: 32698055 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) serve as flame retardants in many household materials such as electrical and electronic devices, furniture, textiles, plastics, and baby products. Though the use of PBDEs like penta-, octa- and deca-BDE greatly reduces the fire damage, indoor pollution by these toxic emissions is ever-growing. In fact, a boom in the global market projections of PBDEs threatens human health security. Therefore, efforts are made to minimize PBDEs pollution in USA and Europe by encouraging voluntary phasing out of the production or imposing compelled regulations through Stockholm Convention, but >500 kilotons of PBDEs still exist globally. Both 'environmental persistence' and 'bioaccumulation tendencies' are the hallmarks of PBDE toxicities; however, both these issues concerning household emissions of PBDEs have been least addressed theoretically or practically. Critical physiological functions, lipophilicity and toxicity, trophic transfer and tissue specificities are of utmost importance in the benefit/risk assessments of PBDEs. Since indoor debromination of deca-BDE often yields many products, a better understanding on their sorption propensity, environmental fate and human toxicities is critical in taking rigorous measures on the ever-growing global deca-BDE market. The data available in the literature on human toxicities of PBDEs have been validated following meta-analysis. In this direction, the intent of the present review was to provide a critical evaluation of the key aspects like compositional patterns/isomer ratios of PBDEs implicated in bioaccumulation, indoor PBDE emissions versus human exposure, secured technologies to deal with the toxic emissions, and human toxicity of PBDEs in relation to the number of bromine atoms. Finally, an emphasis has been made on the knowledge gaps and future research directions related to endurable flame retardants which could fit well into the benefit/risk strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naga Raju Maddela
- Instituto de Investigación, Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Portoviejo, 130105, Ecuador; Facultad la Ciencias la Salud, Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Portoviejo, 130105, Ecuador
| | - Kadiyala Venkateswarlu
- Formerly Department of Microbiology, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapuramu, 515003, India
| | - Dhatri Kakarla
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Mallavarapu Megharaj
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE), The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
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11
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Li Y, Chang Q, Luo Z, Zhang J, Liu Y, Duan H, Li J. Transfer of POP-BFRs within e-waste plastics in recycling streams in China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 717:135003. [PMID: 31836227 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Due to the rapid increase of e-waste plastics and the national policy's strong preference for mechanical recycling, a substantial amount of POP-BFRs is flowing into recycling streams in China. Therefore, confronting with the worldwide prohibition in manufacturing and consumption, identifying the transfer and inventory of POP-BFRs in recycling stage has become the key to their effective management and elimination. In this study, the level of PBDEs in e-waste housings, recycled plastics and daily-use products from recycling facilities and the commodity market was determined, and a gradual decrease of PBDEs was observed along with the downstream life cycle, indicating that recycling is a crucial medium of POP-BFRs transferred from their original use to an expansive reutilization market. Based on that, an extrusion experiment was conducted to imitate the mechanical recycling of e-waste plastics. It was found that, about 77% of PBDEs and 39% of HBCD were retained in recycled materials, with levels comparable to those in the products from recycling manufacturers and the consumer market. Mechanical recycling had no effect on the predominance of highly brominated BDE congeners, and no obvious transformation from higher to lower brominated diphenyl ethers was observed in recycled materials under thermal conditions; however, the isomerization of γ-HBCD brought about a noticeable increase in the relative abundance of α-HBCD. According to a Monte Carlo method estimation by using the transfer rate, approximately 235-687.8 tons of PBDEs have entered into recycling streams annually in the most recent five years. The field survey, laboratory findings and model evaluation results obtained in this study would not only contribute to a broader understanding of POP-BFRs sources and impact scopes posed on human health and the environment, but also provide a basis for developing effective strategies to manage POP-BFRs from the recycling perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- School of Environment and Safety Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China.
| | - Qimin Chang
- School of Environment and Safety Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China
| | - Zheng Luo
- School of Environment and Safety Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China
| | - Juan Zhang
- School of Environment and Safety Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China
| | - Yicheng Liu
- Ningbo Guoke Testing Co. Ltd., Ningbo 315336, China
| | - Huabo Duan
- College of Civil Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Jinhui Li
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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12
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Stubbings WA, Nguyen LV, Romanak K, Jantunen L, Melymuk L, Arrandale V, Diamond ML, Venier M. Flame retardants and plasticizers in a Canadian waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) dismantling facility. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 675:594-603. [PMID: 31030164 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Here we report on the concentrations of 79 flame retardants (FRs) and plasticizers, including 34 polybrominated diphenyl ethers or PBDE congeners, 17 "novel" brominated FRs (NBFRs), 15 dechloranes, and 13 organophosphate esters (OPEs) in air (n = 9) and dust (n = 24) samples from an active waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) dismantling facility in Ontario, Canada, collected in February-March 2017. This is the first study of its kind in North America. The facility processes a range of WEEE including monitors, computers, printers, phones, and toys. Of the 79 target compounds, at least 60 were detected at a frequency of at least 50% in both air and dust. Dust and air concentrations were dominated by three compounds: BDE-209 (median 110,000 ng/g and 100 ng/m3, respectively), DBDPE (median 41,000 ng/g and 41 ng/m3), and TPhP (median 42,000 ng/g and 27 ng/m3). Levels of PBDEs, NBFRs, and dechloranes were close to two orders-of-magnitude higher in dust from the dismantling facility than in residential homes, while OPEs were one order-of-magnitude higher. Congener profiles of PBDEs indicated debromination of BDE-209. We calculated that a total mass of 44 ± 1 mg day-1 of 79 target analytes were released to air from WEEE processed in the dismantling hall and a further 270 ± 91 mg day-1 were released to dust. It is clear that WEEE dismantling facilities are a serious concern as a source of emissions for a wide range of FRs at relatively high concentrations to both workers and the immediate environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- William A Stubbings
- School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
| | - Linh V Nguyen
- Department of Physical and Environmental Science, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Kevin Romanak
- School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
| | - Liisa Jantunen
- Air Quality Processes Research Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T4, Canada
| | - Lisa Melymuk
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX), Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, Pavilion A29, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Victoria Arrandale
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X3, Canada
| | - Miriam L Diamond
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B1, Canada; Department of Physical and Environmental Science, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X3, Canada
| | - Marta Venier
- School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States.
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Xiang L, Sheng H, Gu C, Marc RG, Wang Y, Bian Y, Jiang X, Wang F. Biochar combined with compost to reduce the mobility, bioavailability and plant uptake of 2,2',4,4'-tetrabrominated diphenyl ether in soil. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2019; 374:341-348. [PMID: 31026627 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.04.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Biochar application to soil is recognised for its capacity to immobilise pollutants (through sorption) while composted inputs can accelerate the biodegradation of organic pollutants. However, little is known about the influence of combined incorporation on plant uptake of organic pollutants. Therefore, we investigated the effects of maize straw-derived biochar (MSB), compost derived from maize straw and pig manure (SMC), and their combination (MSB-SMC) as soil amendments on bioavailability of 2,2',4,4'-tetrabrominated diphenyl ether (BDE-47) and carrot (Daucus carota L.) uptake in a horticultural soil. We found that biochar alone performed well in reducing BDE-47 bioavailability, but was less effective at degrading the pollutant. Conversely, addition of compost stimulated BDE-47 biodegradation. MSB-SMC enhanced BDE-47 biodegradation in soil, reduced contamination of carrot roots, and caused significant reductions in soil extractable BDE-47. The combination of contrasting approaches to remediation thus resulted in the most favorable outcome for a contaminated soil: immobilisation of contaminant from vegetable crops (via biochar) with simultaneous bioremediation of the growing medium. These findings point towards an effective strategy for reducing plant uptake of PDBEs through the combined use of biochar and compost as soil amendment - reducing mobility and facilitating degradation of the accessible contaminant fractions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leilei Xiang
- 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
| | - Hongjie Sheng
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Chenggang Gu
- 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
| | - Redmile-Gordon Marc
- Department of Environmental Horticulture, Royal Horticultural Society, Wisley, GU23 6QB, United Kingdom
| | - Yu Wang
- 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
| | - Yonrong Bian
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Xin Jiang
- 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
| | - Fang Wang
- 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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14
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Zhang M, Shi J, Meng Y, Guo W, Li H, Liu X, Zhang Y, Ge H, Yao M, Hu Q. Occupational exposure characteristics and health risk of PBDEs at different domestic e-waste recycling workshops in China. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 174:532-539. [PMID: 30861441 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) contained in electronic waste (e-waste) can be released to indoor environments and cause occupational health hazards during the recycling process. TVs, washing machines, refrigerators and printed wiring boar (PWB) represent the main domestic e-wastes. In this study, concentrations of Σ7PBDEs in air and dust samples from recycling workshops handling these four major types of e-wastes were measured, and the occupational exposure risk for workers at the corresponding workshops was evaluated. Concentrations of Σ7PBDEs in air and dust were within the ranges of 55.28-369.66 ng/m3 and 158.07-669.81 μg/g, respectively. The highest concentration of Σ7PBDEs in air was detected in the TV recycling workshop, while the refrigerator recycling workshop had the highest level of Σ7PBDEs in dust. The workers at these two e-waste recycling workshops were the most substantially exposed to BDE-209, which accounted for more than 85% of Σ7PBDEs in both air and dust. Compared to other e-waste recycling workshops, the workers at the PWB recycling workshop were also more exposed to BDE-47 and BDE-99. Occupational exposure levels for inhalation and dust ingestion were within the ranges of 3939 pg/kg/d to 26,271 pg/kg/d and 104,945 pg/kg/d to 444,694 pg/kg/d, respectively. The hazard quotient (HQ) values were calculated based on the RfDs provided by the EPA. Total HQ levels of inhalation exposure and dust ingestion were less than 0.222. The results of the HQ indicated that no adverse health effects were expected for workers in these workshops; however, the exposure risk of workers in the PWB recycling workshop (HQ=0.222) was higher than that in other e-waste recycling workshops (HQ=0.022-0.072). At the PWB recycling workshop, BDE-47 and BDE-99 caused the main occupational exposure risk to the workers, while s in the recycling plants handling other types of domestic e-waste BDE-209 was the major contributor to the risk faced by the workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengtao Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Municipal Solid Waste Recycling Technology and Management of Shenzhen City, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jianghong Shi
- The Key Laboratory of Municipal Solid Waste Recycling Technology and Management of Shenzhen City, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China; School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
| | - Yaobin Meng
- Academy of Disaster Reduction and Emergency Management, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Guo
- The Key Laboratory of Municipal Solid Waste Recycling Technology and Management of Shenzhen City, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Huiyuan Li
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaowei Liu
- Hefei University of Technology (Xuancheng Campus) Xuancheng, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Municipal Solid Waste Recycling Technology and Management of Shenzhen City, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hui Ge
- The Key Laboratory of Municipal Solid Waste Recycling Technology and Management of Shenzhen City, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Min Yao
- Jiangsu Provincial Academy of Environmental Science, Nanjing, China
| | - Qing Hu
- The Key Laboratory of Municipal Solid Waste Recycling Technology and Management of Shenzhen City, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
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15
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Xiang L, Sheng H, Xu M, Redmile-Gordon M, Bian Y, Yang X, Jiang X, Wang F. Reducing plant uptake of a brominated contaminant (2,2',4,4'‑tetrabrominated diphenyl ether) by incorporation of maize straw into horticultural soil. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 663:29-37. [PMID: 30708214 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.01.297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 01/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Application of crop residues is a conventional practice that contributes to crop production through nutrient returns and other benefits to soil health: driving soil physicochemical and biological functions. However, little is known about the impacts of straw residue incorporation on the bioavailability of organic pollutants and associated changes in microbial community structure in contaminated soils. In this study, maize straw was added to a soil contaminated with a model polybrominated diphenyl ether (BDE-47). A pot experiment was conducted and planted with carrot (Daucus carota L.). We found that straw addition greatly reduced the bioavailability of BDE-47, changed the bacterial community structure and affected a range of soil physiochemical properties. Moreover, the amount of BDE-47 that had accumulated in carrot roots and aboveground tissues was significantly reduced. This study may therefore describe an effective agronomic strategy to reduce the bioavailability of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in a soil used to grow high value vegetable crops. This strategy draws on traditional wisdom and shows promise as a practical method to support horticultural production systems, remediate soils, and help to ensure food safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leilei Xiang
- 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
| | - Hongjie Sheng
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Min Xu
- 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
| | - Marc Redmile-Gordon
- Department of Environmental Horticulture, Royal Horticultural Society, Wisley, UK
| | - Yongrong Bian
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Xinglun Yang
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Xin Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Fang Wang
- 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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16
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Li Y, Chang Q, Duan H, Liu Y, Zhang J, Li J. Occurrence, levels and profiles of brominated flame retardants in daily-use consumer products on the Chinese market. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2019; 21:446-455. [PMID: 30676604 DOI: 10.1039/c8em00483h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
With the global phasing-out of POP-BFRs (brominated flame retardants restricted under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants), the main challenge for their environmentally sound management has shifted from manufacturing and consumption to their recycling and disposal. For the end-of-life products containing POP-BFRs, material recycling and reuse in new articles is the favorite approach widely adopted by recyclers. This would result in POP-BFRs being transferred into daily-use consumer products. To identify the possible reservoirs of POP-BFRs in consumer products on the Chinese market, 120 samples were screened for Br by using a portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer, and the three traditional BFRs, i.e., polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), were analyzed in 15 Br-positive samples. The results showed that 36.7% of products contained at least one test point positive for Br, and higher detection frequencies were found in electric appliances and toys. The concentrations of ∑BFRs ranged from 0.48 to 73.82 mg kg-1 with a general contribution in the order of ∑PBDEs > TBBPA > HBCD. BDE-209 was the dominant congener among PBDEs in most investigated samples, accounting for 48.18-99.36%. Relatively high proportions of the more bioaccumulative and toxic substances of lower brominated PBDE congeners and α-HBCD in products may increase the adverse impacts on the environment and human health. The obtained results will be helpful to understand the downstream flow of POP-BFRs with great significance to the control on their unintended contamination in daily life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China.
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17
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Sahan M, Kucuker MA, Demirel B, Kuchta K, Hursthouse A. Determination of Metal Content of Waste Mobile Phones and Estimation of Their Recovery Potential in Turkey. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16050887. [PMID: 30862075 PMCID: PMC6427248 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16050887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 02/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Waste mobile phones constitute one of the fastest growing Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) types all over the world due to technological innovations and shortening of their life span. They contain a complex mix of various materials, such as basic metals, precious metals and rare earth elements and represent an important secondary raw metal source. The main objectives of this study were to characterize the metal concentration of waste mobile phones by optimizing the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) operation parameters and estimate the metal recovery potential of waste mobile phones in Turkey. Therefore, selected mobile phone samples collected from a recycling center in Turkey were analyzed to determine their metal concentrations. Then, the theoretical recovery potentials of precious and rare earth metals from waste mobile phones were estimated for Turkey. The analytical methods optimized in this study can help further research activities to obtain comprehensive data for determination of the critical metals (precious metals and rare earth elements) in WEEE samples so that proper recycling and recovery strategies can be selected and implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merve Sahan
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Bogazici University, Bebek, Istanbul 3432, Turkey.
| | - Mehmet Ali Kucuker
- Institute of Environmental Technology and Energy Economics, Waste Resources Management, TUHH-Hamburg University of Technology, Harburger Schloßstr. 36, 21079 Hamburg, Germany.
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Terzioğlu Campus, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, 17020 Çanakkale, Turkey.
| | - Burak Demirel
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Bogazici University, Bebek, Istanbul 3432, Turkey.
| | - Kerstin Kuchta
- Institute of Environmental Technology and Energy Economics, Waste Resources Management, TUHH-Hamburg University of Technology, Harburger Schloßstr. 36, 21079 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Andrew Hursthouse
- Computing Engineering & Physical Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, UK.
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18
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Hydrophobic Organic Pollutants in Soils and Dusts at Electronic Waste Recycling Sites: Occurrence and Possible Impacts of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16030360. [PMID: 30696044 PMCID: PMC6388296 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16030360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Concerns about the adverse consequences of informal electronic waste (e-waste) recycling is increasing, because e-waste contains some hazardous substances such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) which is used as flame retardants in electronics. There is dearth of information on the concentrations of PBDEs and the pattern of distribution at the various e-waste recycling sites in Nigeria. This study therefore measured the concentrations of 13 PBDE congeners, in top soils (0–10 cm) and in various dust samples from different e-waste recycling sites (burning, dismantling, repair). PBDE concentrations at e-waste sites were compared with the concentrations in samples from corresponding control sites in three study locations in Nigeria (Lagos, Ibadan, and Aba). There were significant differences in the level of PBDEs congeners between each of the e-waste recycling sites and the corresponding control sites. The levels of PBDEs at the e-waste recycling sites exceeded the levels at the controls sites by a factor of 100 s to 1000 s. In general, PBDE concentrations at the e-waste sites decreased with the intensity of the e-waste recycling activities: burning sites > dismantling sites > repair sites > control sites. Our results suggest that the informal e-waste recycling has negative impacts on the enviroment and human health.
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19
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Die Q, Nie Z, Huang Q, Yang Y, Fang Y, Yang J, He J. Concentrations and occupational exposure assessment of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in modern Chinese e-waste dismantling workshops. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 214:379-388. [PMID: 30267911 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.09.130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In this work, the concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were determined in air, dust and fly ash samples from three legal waste electrical and electronic equipment dismantling plants with strict pollution controls. The risks posed by PBDEs to workers at the plants were assessed. The atmospheric concentrations of PBDEs in the different e-waste recycling workshops were 0.58-2.89 × 103 ng/m3, and predominantly distributed in the particle phase (90.7%-99.9%). The concentrations of the PBDEs in the floor dust and fly ash samples from bag-type dust collectors in different workshops were 2.39-125 μg/g, 5.84-128 μg/g, respectively. The contributions of BDE-209 in air, floor dust and fly ash samples were 84.0%-97.9%, 11.2%-95.3% and 74.0%-94.9%, respectively, indicating that deca-BDE commercial formulations were their major sources. Daily exposure to PBDEs was also lower than has been found for workers in other recycling workshops. Human exposures to BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-153, and BDE-209 were all below the levels considered to pose appreciable risks. Dust ingestion was the main exposure route for manual recyclers, and inhalation was the main exposure route for waste transportation workers. The results of this study indicate that PBDEs emissions and risks are lower in modern, legal e-waste recycling facilities with effective pollution controls. However, the effectiveness of the pollution controls need to be further researched in plastic crushing areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqi Die
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Zhiqiang Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China.
| | - Qifei Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China.
| | - Yufei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Yanyan Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Jinzhong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Jie He
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
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20
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Hait S. Comprehensive characterization of printed circuit boards of various end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment for beneficiation investigation. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2018; 75:103-123. [PMID: 29454818 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2018.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Revised: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Comprehensive characterization of printed circuit board (PCB) of end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) is obligatory for prospective profitable beneficiation. In this study, beneficiation oriented comprehensive characterization of two brands of PCBs each of 16 end-of-life EEE was conducted in terms of their physicochemical characteristics with special emphasis on the content of 16 general elements, 2 precious metals and 15 rare earth elements (REEs). General elements and their highest weight percent composition found in different PCBs of the EEEs were Cu (23% in laptop), Al (6% in computer), Pb (15% in DVD player) and Ba (7% in TV). The high abundant of precious metals such as Au (316 g/ton) and Ag (636 g/ton) in mobile phone and laptop, respectively coupled with rapid obsolescence age makes waste PCBs of information technology and telecommunication equipment the most potent resource reservoir. Additionally, most of the waste PCBs were observed to contain REEs in considerable quantity with Sc up to 31 g/ton and Ce up to 13 g/ton being the major constituents. Comprehensive characterization of waste PCBs therefore will systematically help towards better understanding of e-waste recycling processes for beneficiation purpose and sustainable resource circulation and conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subrata Hait
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Patna, Bihta, Bihar, India.
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21
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Miguel V, Cui JY, Daimiel L, Espinosa-Díez C, Fernández-Hernando C, Kavanagh TJ, Lamas S. The Role of MicroRNAs in Environmental Risk Factors, Noise-Induced Hearing Loss, and Mental Stress. Antioxid Redox Signal 2018; 28:773-796. [PMID: 28562070 PMCID: PMC5911706 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2017.7175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of gene expression and define part of the epigenetic signature. Their influence on every realm of biomedicine is established and progressively increasing. The impact of environment on human health is enormous. Among environmental risk factors impinging on quality of life are those of chemical nature (toxic chemicals, heavy metals, pollutants, and pesticides) as well as those related to everyday life such as exposure to noise or mental and psychosocial stress. Recent Advances: This review elaborates on the relationship between miRNAs and these environmental risk factors. CRITICAL ISSUES The most relevant facts underlying the role of miRNAs in the response to these environmental stressors, including redox regulatory changes and oxidative stress, are highlighted and discussed. In the cases wherein miRNA mutations are relevant for this response, the pertinent literature is also reviewed. FUTURE DIRECTIONS We conclude that, even though in some cases important advances have been made regarding close correlations between specific miRNAs and biological responses to environmental risk factors, a need for prospective large-cohort studies is likely necessary to establish causative roles. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 28, 773-796.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verónica Miguel
- 1 Department of Cell Biology and Immunology, Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM) , Madrid, Spain
| | - Julia Yue Cui
- 2 Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington
| | - Lidia Daimiel
- 3 Instituto Madrileño de Estudios Avanzados-Alimentación (IMDEA-Food) , Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Espinosa-Díez
- 4 Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health and Science University , Portland, Oregon
| | | | - Terrance J Kavanagh
- 2 Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington
| | - Santiago Lamas
- 1 Department of Cell Biology and Immunology, Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM) , Madrid, Spain
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22
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McGrath TJ, Ball AS, Clarke BO. Critical review of soil contamination by polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs); concentrations, sources and congener profiles. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 230:741-757. [PMID: 28732337 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Revised: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been used in a broad array of polymeric materials such as plastics, foams, resins and adhesives to inhibit the spread of fires since the 1970s. The widespread environmental contamination and well documented toxic effects of PBDEs have led to bans and voluntary withdrawals in many jurisdictions. Replacement novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) have, however, exhibited many of the same toxic characteristics as PBDEs and appear to share similar environmental fate. This paper presents a critical review of the scientific literature regarding PBDE and NBFR contamination of surface soils internationally, with the secondary objective of identifying probable pollution sources. An evaluation of NBFR distribution in soil was also conducted to assess the suitability of the newer compounds as replacements for PBDEs, with respect to their land contamination potential. Principle production of PBDEs and NBFRs and their consequent use in secondary polymer manufacture appear to be processes with strong potential to contaminate surrounding soils. Evidence suggests that PBDEs and NBFRs are also released from flame retarded products during disposal via landfill, dumping, incineration and recycling. While the land application of sewage sludge represents another major pathway of soil contamination it is not considered in this review as it is extensively covered elsewhere. Both PBDEs and NBFRs were commonly detected at background locations including Antarctica and northern polar regions. PBDE congener profiles in soil were broadly representative of the major constituents in Penta-, Octa- and Deca-BDE commercial mixtures and related to predicted market place demand. BDE-209 dominated soil profiles, followed by BDE-99 and BDE-47. Although further research is required to gain baseline data on NBFRs in soil, the current state of scientific literature suggests that NBFRs pose a similar risk to land contamination as PBDEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J McGrath
- Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation, School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Vic. 3001, Australia
| | - Andrew S Ball
- Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation, School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Vic. 3001, Australia
| | - Bradley O Clarke
- Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation, School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Vic. 3001, Australia.
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23
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Swain B, Shin D, Joo SY, Ahn NK, Lee CG, Yoon JH. Selective recovery of silver from waste low-temperature co-fired ceramic and valorization through silver nanoparticle synthesis. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2017; 69:79-87. [PMID: 28830723 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2017.08.024] [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: 03/07/2017] [Revised: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Considering the value of silver metal and silver nanoparticles, the waste generated during manufacturing of low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) were recycled through the simple yet cost effective process by chemical-metallurgy. Followed by leaching optimization, silver was selectively recovered through precipitation. The precipitated silver chloride was valorized though silver nanoparticle synthesis by a simple one-pot greener synthesis route. Through leaching-precipitation optimization, quantitative selective recovery of silver chloride was achieved, followed by homogeneous pure silver nanoparticle about 100nm size were synthesized. The reported recycling process is a simple process, versatile, easy to implement, requires minimum facilities and no specialty chemicals, through which semiconductor manufacturing industry can treat the waste generated during manufacturing of LTCC and reutilize the valorized silver nanoparticles in manufacturing in a close loop process. Our reported process can address issues like; (i) waste disposal, as well as value-added silver recovery, (ii) brings back the material to production stream and address the circular economy, and (iii) can be part of lower the futuristic carbon economy and cradle-to-cradle technology management, simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basudev Swain
- Institute for Advanced Engineering (IAE), Advanced Materials & Processing Center, Yongin-Si 449-863, Republic of Korea.
| | - Dongyoon Shin
- Institute for Advanced Engineering (IAE), Advanced Materials & Processing Center, Yongin-Si 449-863, Republic of Korea
| | - So Yeong Joo
- Institute for Advanced Engineering (IAE), Advanced Materials & Processing Center, Yongin-Si 449-863, Republic of Korea
| | - Nak Kyoon Ahn
- Institute for Advanced Engineering (IAE), Advanced Materials & Processing Center, Yongin-Si 449-863, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan Gi Lee
- Institute for Advanced Engineering (IAE), Advanced Materials & Processing Center, Yongin-Si 449-863, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Ho Yoon
- Institute for Advanced Engineering (IAE), Advanced Materials & Processing Center, Yongin-Si 449-863, Republic of Korea.
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24
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Yu D, Duan H, Song Q, Liu Y, Li Y, Li J, Shen W, Luo J, Wang J. Characterization of brominated flame retardants from e-waste components in China. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2017; 68:498-507. [PMID: 28756124 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2017.07.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Many studies show that high levels of many toxic metals and persistent and bio-accumulative chemicals have been found in electronic waste (e-waste) dismantling sites and their surrounding environmental media. Both flame-retardant plastic housing materials and printed circuit boards (PCBs) could be the major contributors. However, relatively little work has focused on the use or content of toxic substances and their changing in scrap housing materials and PCBs from home appliances. This study evaluated the existence of brominated flame retardants (BFRs, including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and Tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA)) in housing plastics and PCBs from home appliances collected from various e-waste recyclers in China. These were then analyzed for the potential migration of BFRs from the e-waste components into their recycled products. The results show that both PBDEs and TBBPA were found with high level in most of e-waste samples, indicating that the widespread use of BFRs in home appliances are entering into the end-of-life stage. For the plastics samples, CRT TVs and LCD monitors should be given priority for the control of BFRs. Regarding PBDEs, the dominant congeners of BDE-209 in the plastics samples contributed 90.72-93.54% to the total concentrations of PBDEs, yet there are large variations for PCBs samples: BDE-28, -47, -99, and -153 were also important congeners compositions, except for BDE-209. Compared with previous studies, the BFRs concentrations in current Chinese e-waste are trending to decline. This study also found that BFRs in housing plastics and PCBs will be transferred into the recycled products with other purpose use, and the new products could have highly enriched capacities for BFRs. The obtained results could be helpful to manage e-waste and their components properly in order to minimize associated environmental and health risks of BFRs, particularly for their further reuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danfeng Yu
- College of Civil Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Huabo Duan
- College of Civil Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
| | - Qingbin Song
- Macau Environmental Research Institute, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China.
| | - Yicheng Liu
- Ningbo Guoke Testing Co., Ltd, Ningbo 315336, China
| | - Ying Li
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China
| | - Jinhui Li
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Weijun Shen
- Ningbo Guoke Testing Co., Ltd, Ningbo 315336, China
| | - Jiahui Luo
- Ningbo Guoke Testing Co., Ltd, Ningbo 315336, China
| | - Jinben Wang
- Key Laboratory of Colloid, Interface and Chemical Thermodynamics, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
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25
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McGrath TJ, Morrison PD, Sandiford CJ, Ball AS, Clarke BO. Widespread polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) contamination of urban soils in Melbourne, Australia. CHEMOSPHERE 2016; 164:225-232. [PMID: 27588576 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Revised: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been used as flame retardants in a variety of materials and products. PBDEs have been shown to accumulate in the environment and human populations while exhibiting a range of toxic effects. In this study, surface soil samples from 30 sites in the city of Melbourne, Australia, were analysed for PBDEs. Eight congeners of environmental concern (BDE-28, -47, -99, -100, -153, -154 -183 and -209) were assessed using selective pressurized liquid extraction (S-PLE) and gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). PBDEs were detected in 29/30 samples with Σ8PBDE soil concentrations ranging nd-13,200 ng/g dw and Σ7PBDEs (excluding BDE-209) levels of nd-70.5 ng/g dw. Soils from waste disposal sites (n = 6) contained the highest median Σ7PBDE and Σ8PBDE concentrations, followed by manufacturing sites (n = 18) and then non-source sites (n = 6). Electronics recycling facilities contained the greatest levels of Σ8PBDEs by a significant margin (p < 0.05) to indicate that these industries are a potential source of contamination. BDE-209 was the dominant congener, contributing an average of 75.5% to Σ8PBDEs soil concentrations, followed by BDE-47, BDE-99 and BDE-183 at 7.90, 5.64 and 4.31%, respectively. Congener profiles reflected global estimates of Deca-BDE, Octa-BDE and Penta- BDE commercial production, with the most significant congener correlation existing between BDE-47 and BDE-99 (p < 0.001, r = 0.943). This first assessment of PBDEs in Melbourne soils indicates widespread contamination of the urban environment, including locations where direct sources to soil are not clear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J McGrath
- School of Science, Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation (ENSURE), RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia
| | - Paul D Morrison
- School of Science, Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation (ENSURE), RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia; Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science (ACROSS), School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia
| | - Christopher J Sandiford
- Australian Contaminated Land Consultants Association (ACLCA), PO Box 362, Malvern, Victoria 3144, Australia
| | - Andrew S Ball
- School of Science, Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation (ENSURE), RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia
| | - Bradley O Clarke
- School of Science, Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation (ENSURE), RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia.
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26
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Zeng YH, Tang B, Luo XJ, Zheng XB, Peng PA, Mai BX. Organohalogen pollutants in surface particulates from workshop floors of four major e-waste recycling sites in China and implications for emission lists. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 569-570:982-989. [PMID: 27387797 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.06.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Revised: 05/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
To examine the environmental pollution associated with e-waste recycling activities, the concentrations of organohologenated pollutants (OHPs), i.e., short- and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs and MCCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and several other halogenated flame retardants (OHFRs), were investigated in surface particulates from the workshop floors of four major e-waste recycling sites (Taizhou, Guiyu, Dali and Qingyuan) in China. The mean levels of SCCPs, MCCPs, PCBs, PBDEs and OHFRs in surface particulates ranged from 30,000-61,000, 170,000-890,000, 2700-27,000, 52,000-240,000, and 62,000-140,000ng/g dry weight (dw), respectively. OHFRs, including decabromodiphenyl ethane, dechlorane plus, 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane, tetrabromobisphenol A, hexabromocyclododecanes, polybrominated biphenyls, hexabromobenzene, pentabromotoluene, and pentabromoethylbenzene, were frequently (>50% detection frequency) detected in surface particulates with mean concentration ranges of 39,000-63,000, 310-2700, 98-16,000, 21,000-56,000, 55-5700, 1700-27,000, 42-1600, 3.2-220, and 5.8-12ng/g dw, respectively. The composition of OHPs varied depend on the e-waste items processing in different regions. Guiyu and Dali were typical sites contaminated by halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) and CPs, respectively, while Qingyuan, and Taizhou were representative PCB-polluted regions. The evidence produced by this preliminary study indicated that electronic devices and plastics may account for the high content of HFRs and the metal products are likely the major source of CPs in these e-waste sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Hong Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Bin Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiao-Jun 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, China
| | - Xiao-Bo Zheng
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Ping-An Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Bi-Xian Mai
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China.
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Ceballos DM, Dong Z. The formal electronic recycling industry: Challenges and opportunities in occupational and environmental health research. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2016; 95:157-66. [PMID: 27568575 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Revised: 07/17/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND E-waste includes electrical and electronic equipment discarded as waste without intent of reuse. Informal e-waste recycling, typically done in smaller, unorganized businesses, can expose workers and communities to serious chemical health hazards. It is unclear if formalization into larger, better-controlled electronics recycling (e-recycling) facilities solves environmental and occupational health problems. OBJECTIVES To systematically review the literature on occupational and environmental health hazards of formal e-recycling facilities and discuss challenges and opportunities to strengthen research in this area. METHODS We identified 37 publications from 4 electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Environmental Index, NIOSHTIC-2) specific to chemical exposures in formal e-recycling facilities. DISCUSSION Environmental and occupational exposures depend on the degree of formalization of the facilities but further reduction is needed. Reported worker exposures to metals were often higher than recommended occupational guidelines. Levels of brominated flame-retardants in worker's inhaled air and biological samples were higher than those from reference groups. Air, dust, and soil concentrations of metals, brominated flame-retardants, dioxins, furans, polycyclic-aromatic hydrocarbons, or polychlorinated biphenyls found inside or near the facilities were generally higher than reference locations, suggesting transport into the environment. Children of a recycler had blood lead levels higher than public health recommended guidelines. CONCLUSIONS With mounting e-waste, more workers, their family members, and communities could experience unhealthful exposures to metals and other chemicals. We identified research needs to further assess exposures, health, and improve controls. The long-term solution is manufacturing of electronics without harmful substances and easy-to-disassemble components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Maria Ceballos
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Zhao Dong
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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28
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Liu L, Zhang Y, Liu R, Wang Z, Xu F, Chen Y, Lin K. Aerobic debromination of BDE-209 by Rhodococcus sp. coupled with zerovalent iron/activated carbon. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:3925-3933. [PMID: 26503005 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-5663-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In this study, an aerobic strain identified as Rhodococcus sp. was isolated from the sediment of a typical electronic waste disassemble site, Taizhou, China. This strain could use BDE-209 as the sole carbon and energy source and degrade 65.1% of BDE-209 (initial concentration being 50 mg/L) within 144 h. To explore the BDE-209 degradation properties of this strain with the co-existed electronic donor, zerovalent iron/activated carbon (ZVI/AC) was introduced to build a microbial-chemical coupling system, which was found to promote the degradation of BDE-209 slightly (74.7% in 144 h). Moreover, the debromination products in both of the batch experiments were determined with GC/MS, which showed that lower brominated PBDE congeners were produced almost in order of the number of bromine ions, ranged from nona- to di-BDEs. In addition, the possible debromination pathways of BDE-209 for each system were proposed respectively, which confirmed the microbial activity of BDE-209 debromination. Since some of the lower-brominated BDE congeners are much toxic than BDE-209, these microbial activities might bring potential hazards to the environment with BDE-209 contamination. It is the first time to investigate the transformation of BDE-209 with microbial-chemical coupling system, which is universal in the nature, thus suggesting that the ecological safety of environment exposed to PBDEs should be focused in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Liu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China.
| | - Yacong Zhang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Ruihong Liu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Zhiping Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Feng Xu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Yilun Chen
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Kuangfei Lin
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
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29
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Xie JP, Ni HG. Chromatographic fingerprint similarity analysis for pollutant source identification. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2015; 207:341-344. [PMID: 26440782 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2015.09.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2015] [Revised: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/25/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, a similarity analysis method was proposed to evaluate the source-sink relationships among environmental media for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which were taken as the representative contaminants. Chromatographic fingerprint analysis has been widely used in the fields of natural products chemistry and forensic chemistry, but its application to environmental science has been limited. We established a library of various sources of media containing contaminants (e.g., plastics), recognizing that the establishment of a more comprehensive library allows for a better understanding of the sources of contamination. We then compared an environmental complex mixture (e.g., sediment, soil) with the profiles in the library. These comparisons could be used as the first step in source tracking. The cosine similarities between plastic and soil or sediment ranged from 0.53 to 0.68, suggesting that plastic in electronic waste is an important source of PBDEs in the environment, but it is not the only source. A similarity analysis between soil and sediment indicated that they have a source-sink relationship. Generally, the similarity analysis method can encompass more relevant information of complex mixtures in the environment than a profile-based approach that only focuses on target pollutants. There is an inherent advantage to creating a data matrix containing all peaks and their relative levels after matching the peaks based on retention times and peak areas. This data matrix can be used for source identification via a similarity analysis without quantitative or qualitative analysis of all chemicals in a sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan-Ping Xie
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ankang University, 92 Yucai Road, Ankang, Shaan'xi, 725000, China
| | - Hong-Gang Ni
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Circular Economy, Peking University, Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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30
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Swain B, Ryang Park J, Yoon Shin D, Park KS, Hwan Hong M, Gi Lee C. Recycling of waste automotive laminated glass and valorization of polyvinyl butyral through mechanochemical separation. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2015; 142:615-623. [PMID: 26318256 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2015.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Revised: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 08/15/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Due to strong binding, optical clarity, adhesion to many surfaces, toughness and flexibility polyvinyl butyral (PVB) resin films are commonly used in the automotive and architectural application as a protective interlayer in the laminated glass. Worldwide million tons of PVB waste generated from end-of-life automotive associated with various environmental issues. Stringent environmental directive, higher land cost eliminates land filling option, needs a study, we have developed a mechanochemical separation process to separate PVB resins from glass and characterized the separated PVB through various techniques, i.e., scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). Commercial nonionic surfactants D201 used for the mechanochemical separation purpose. Through parameter optimization following conditions are considered to be the optimum condition; 30v ol% D201, stirring speed of 400 rpm, 35 °C temperature, operation time 1h, and dilute D201 volume to waste automotive laminated glass weight ratio of ≈25. The technology developed in our laboratory is sustainable, environmentally friendly, techno-economical feasible process, capable of mass production (recycling).
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Affiliation(s)
- Basudev Swain
- Institute for Advanced Engineering (IAE), Advanced Materials & Processing Center, Yongin-Si 449-863, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jae Ryang Park
- Institute for Advanced Engineering (IAE), Advanced Materials & Processing Center, Yongin-Si 449-863, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Yoon Shin
- Institute for Advanced Engineering (IAE), Advanced Materials & Processing Center, Yongin-Si 449-863, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Soo Park
- Institute for Advanced Engineering (IAE), Advanced Materials & Processing Center, Yongin-Si 449-863, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung Hwan Hong
- Institute for Advanced Engineering (IAE), Advanced Materials & Processing Center, Yongin-Si 449-863, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan Gi Lee
- Institute for Advanced Engineering (IAE), Advanced Materials & Processing Center, Yongin-Si 449-863, Republic of Korea.
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Wang Z, Hall P, Miles NJ, Wu T, Lambert P, Gu F. The application of pneumatic jigging in the recovery of metallic fraction from shredded printed wiring boards. WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOLID WASTES AND PUBLIC CLEANSING ASSOCIATION, ISWA 2015; 33:785-793. [PMID: 26070501 DOI: 10.1177/0734242x15589782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is one of the fastest growing waste streams worldwide with volumes increasing by 40% each year. WEEE has attracted increasing concern worldwide due to its high metal content and the potential environmental threat which results from uncontrolled recycling practices. Innovative physical separation techniques for WEEE recycling are preferential compared with chemical methods because of the reduction of energy and chemical consumption as well as potential environmental threats. Pneumatic jigging is a dry separation process capable of achieving good separation of coarse material within a very narrow density range, which makes it suitable as a pretreatment process for WEEE recycling. The work presented in this paper investigates the potential application of pneumatic jigging in metal recovery from WEEE. A pilot scale pneumatic jig has been developed by University of Nottingham Ningbo to separate shredded printed wiring boards into two streams: a light fraction (mainly non-metallic fraction consisting of glass fiber, fluffs, and plastic pieces) and dense fraction (metallic fraction). The novelty of work presented in this paper is the application of a dry separation technique in WEEE recycling for metal recovery. Compared with conventional wet separation processes involved in WEEE recycling industry, dry separation has the advantage of zero secondary pollution. The results of this experimental program show pneumatic jigging to be an effective and environmental friendly technique as a pretreatment process for the recovery of the metallic fraction from shredded WEEE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Wang
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China
| | - Philip Hall
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China
| | - Nicholas J Miles
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China
| | - Tao Wu
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China
| | | | - Fu Gu
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China
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32
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Du L, Sun W, Zhang H, Chen D. BDE-209 inhibits pluripotent genes expression and induces apoptosis in human embryonic stem cells. J Appl Toxicol 2015. [PMID: 26206603 DOI: 10.1002/jat.3195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) has been detected in human serum, semen, placenta, cord blood and milk worldwide. However, little is known regarding the potential effects on the early human embryonic development of BDE-209. In this study, human embryonic stem cell lines FY-hES-10 and FY-hES-26 were used to evaluate the potential effects and explore the toxification mechanisms using low-level BDE-209 exposure. Our data showed that BDE-209 exposure (1, 10 and 100 nM) reduced the expression of pluripotent genes such as OCT4, SOX2 and NANOG and induced human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) apoptosis. The downregulation of BIRC5/BCL2 and upregulation of BAX were related to apoptosis of hESCs induced by BDE-209 exposure. A mechanism study showed that OCT4 down-regulation accompanied by OCT4 promoter hypermethylation and increasing miR-145/miR-335 levels, OCT4 inhibitors. Moreover, BDE-209 could increase the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decrease SOD2 expression. The ROS increase and OCT4 downregulation after BDE-209 exposure could be reversed partly by antioxidant N-acetylcysteine supplement. These findings showed that BDE-209 exposure could decrease pluripotent genes expression via epigenetic regulation and induce apoptosis through ROS generation in human embryonic stem cells in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Du
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of, China.,Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, People's Republic of, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangzhou, People's Republic of, China
| | - Wen Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of, China
| | - Huili Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of, China
| | - Dunjin Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of, China.,Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, People's Republic of, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangzhou, People's Republic of, China
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Wolschke H, Meng XZ, Xie Z, Ebinghaus R, Cai M. Novel flame retardants (N-FRs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) in fish, penguin, and skua from King George Island, Antarctica. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2015; 96:513-8. [PMID: 25912262 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2014] [Revised: 03/16/2015] [Accepted: 04/11/2015] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), are frequently detected in biota from Antarctica, whereas no data are available for their replacements, such as novel flame retardants (N-FRs). This study presented the occurrence of several N-FRs, PBDEs, and PCBs in tissue samples of an Antarctic rock cod (Trematomus bernacchii), a young gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua), and a brown skua (Stercorarius antarcticus) collected from King George Island. The total concentrations of N-FRs (ΣN-FRs; mean: 931 pg/g dry weight (dw)) were comparable to PBDEs (Σ8PBDEs; 681 pg/gdw), which were much lower than PCBs (ΣDL-PCBs; 12,800 pg/gdw). Overall, skua contained two to three orders of magnitude higher contamination than penguin and fish. In the future, more attention should be focused on the fate of N-FRs in Antarctica, where usages have increased since PBDEs were banned. To our knowledge, this is the first report of N-FRs in biota from Antarctica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik Wolschke
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Institute for Coastal Research, Geesthacht 21502, Germany
| | - Xiang-Zhou Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Zhiyong Xie
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Institute for Coastal Research, Geesthacht 21502, Germany
| | - Ralf Ebinghaus
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Institute for Coastal Research, Geesthacht 21502, Germany
| | - Minghong Cai
- SOA Key Laboratory for Polar Science, Polar Research Institute of China, Shanghai 200136, China.
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Hirayama D, Saron C. Characterisation of recycled acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene and high-impact polystyrene from waste computer equipment in Brazil. WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOLID WASTES AND PUBLIC CLEANSING ASSOCIATION, ISWA 2015; 33:543-549. [PMID: 26022280 DOI: 10.1177/0734242x15584845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Polymeric materials constitute a considerable fraction of waste computer equipment and polymers acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene and high-impact polystyrene are the main thermoplastic polymeric components found in waste computer equipment. Identification, separation and characterisation of additives present in acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene and high-impact polystyrene are fundamental procedures to mechanical recycling of these polymers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the methods for identification of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene and high-impact polystyrene from waste computer equipment in Brazil, as well as their potential for mechanical recycling. The imprecise utilisation of symbols for identification of the polymers and the presence of additives containing toxic elements in determinate computer devices are some of the difficulties found for recycling of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene and high-impact polystyrene from waste computer equipment. However, the considerable performance of mechanical properties of the recycled acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene and high-impact polystyrene when compared with the virgin materials confirms the potential for mechanical recycling of these polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Hirayama
- Department of Materials Engineering, University of São Paulo, Lorena, Brazil
| | - Clodoaldo Saron
- Department of Materials Engineering, University of São Paulo, Lorena, Brazil
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Xu F, Liu Y, Wang J, Zhang G, Zhang W, Liu L, Wang J, Pan B, Lin K. Characterization of heavy metals and brominated flame retardants in the indoor and outdoor dust of e-waste workshops: implication for on-site human exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 22:5469-5480. [PMID: 25369920 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-3773-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2014] [Accepted: 10/24/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Forty-four indoor and outdoor dust samples were collected from e-waste workshops and were analyzed to characterize the heavy metals and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) as well as on-site human exposure. The results showed that the most abundant Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) congener from three sites was deca-BDE, and it was penta-BDE for the other site. A significant and positive association was found between BDE-209 and decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE). The high percentage of nona-BDE indicated the debromination of deca-BDE during e-waste recycling. The ratio comparison of BDE-47 to (BDE-100 + BDE-99) indicated that the outdoor dust went through more physiochemical processes. The enrichment factors for Cu and Pb were high in both the indoor and outdoor samples. Cd significantly exceeded the Chinese soil guideline grade III. The PCA results combined with the enrichment factor (EF) values suggested common sources and behaviours of Cu, Pb and Sb in the indoor dust. Co, Cr, Ni, Zn and Mn in the outdoor samples were more likely affected by crust. Strong correlations were found only for Pb and Sb with polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The hazard index for on-site human exposure to Pb was at a chronic risk. Despite the low deleterious risk of BFRs, concern should be given to DBDPE; the chronic toxicity of which is not known.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Xu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, No. 130, Mei Long Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
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36
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Hong J, Shi W, Wang Y, Chen W, Li X. Life cycle assessment of electronic waste treatment. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2015; 38:357-365. [PMID: 25623003 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2014.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2014] [Revised: 12/20/2014] [Accepted: 12/29/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Life cycle assessment was conducted to estimate the environmental impact of electronic waste (e-waste) treatment. E-waste recycling with an end-life disposal scenario is environmentally beneficial because of the low environmental burden generated from human toxicity, terrestrial ecotoxicity, freshwater ecotoxicity, and marine ecotoxicity categories. Landfill and incineration technologies have a lower and higher environmental burden than the e-waste recycling with an end-life disposal scenario, respectively. The key factors in reducing the overall environmental impact of e-waste recycling are optimizing energy consumption efficiency, reducing wastewater and solid waste effluent, increasing proper e-waste treatment amount, avoiding e-waste disposal to landfill and incineration sites, and clearly defining the duties of all stakeholders (e.g., manufacturers, retailers, recycling companies, and consumers).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinglan Hong
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, PR China; Shandong University Climate Change and Health Center, Public Health School, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, PR China.
| | - Wenxiao Shi
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, PR China
| | - Yutao Wang
- School of Life Science, Shandong University, Shanda South Road 27, Jinan 250100, PR China
| | - Wei Chen
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, PR China
| | - Xiangzhi Li
- School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, PR China.
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37
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Dong Y, Fu S, Zhang Y, Nie H, Li Z. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in atmosphere from three different typical industrial areas in Beijing, China. CHEMOSPHERE 2015; 123:33-42. [PMID: 25491762 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.11.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2014] [Revised: 11/05/2014] [Accepted: 11/16/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Three common industries that cause polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) pollution in Beijing, China, are solid waste incineration, chemical manufacturing, and coal-fired thermal power generation. This study was conducted to determine both the concentrations and profiles of 42 PBDEs in gaseous and particulate matter (including PM2.5, PM2.5-10, and total suspended particulate (TSP)) from the major industries listed above at three sites in Beijing. The total concentration of PBDEs (defined as the sum of 42 congeners in gas and TSP) were 60.5-216 pg m(-3) at the solid waste incineration plant, 71.8-7500 pg m(-3) at the chemical plant, and 34.4-454 pg m(-3) at the coal-fired thermal power plant. The results indicate that the components of PBDE in gas were similar between three industrial sites, and the dominant congener was tri-BDEs. However, in particulate matter, the dominant BDEs were different between the three sites, possibly because they originated from different sources. In particulate matter, the dominant PBDEs were penta-BDEs at the solid waste incineration plant, deca-BDE at the coal-fired thermal power plant, and tetra-BDEs and deca-BDE at the chemical plant. Source analysis revealed that PBDE contamination might be associated with the use of different commercial PBDE flame-retardant mixtures. Results from a previous risk assessment indicated that the risk to human health was low. However, results from this study suggest that there is a potential threat associated with human exposure to PBDEs for the residents near these industrial sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Post Office Box 2871, Beijing 100085, People's Republic of China
| | - Shan Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Post Office Box 2871, Beijing 100085, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yongfei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Post Office Box 2871, Beijing 100085, People's Republic of China
| | - Haifeng Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Post Office Box 2871, Beijing 100085, People's Republic of China
| | - Zheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Post Office Box 2871, Beijing 100085, People's Republic of China
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38
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Li Y, Chen L, Wen ZH, Duan YP, Lu ZB, Meng XZ, Zhang W. Characterizing distribution, sources, and potential health risk of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in office environment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2015; 198:25-31. [PMID: 25549864 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2014.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2014] [Revised: 12/13/2014] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated the levels and spatial distribution of PBDEs in 9 typical offices in Shanghai, China through the sample analysis of air and settled dust (floor dust, desktop dust and dust in computer case). PBDEs in air ranged from 93 to 322 pg/m(3), while the PBDEs levels in dust varied from 247 to 3.3 × 10(4) ng/g. Spatial variability of PBDEs in office dust was evident and likely influenced by air exchange and the use of electronic devices. A significant positive linear correlation was observed between the power usage rate and PBDE levels in both office air (R(2) = 0.81) and settled dust (R(2) = 0.94). The PBDEs exposure via inhalation and dust ingestion were both analyzed to estimate the life-time cancer risk, which is 1.34 × 10(-22) to 7.16 × 10(-22), significantly lower than the threshold level (10(-6)). Non-cancer risk indicated by the hazard index (<1) is also low in current exposure conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Ling Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Zhi-Hao Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yan-Ping Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Zhi-Bo Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Xiang-Zhou Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- John A. Reif, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 07102, United States.
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Xu L, Huo X, Zhang Y, Li W, Zhang J, Xu X. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in human placenta associated with neonatal physiological development at a typical e-waste recycling area in China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2015; 196:414-22. [PMID: 25468211 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2014.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2014] [Revised: 10/24/2014] [Accepted: 11/08/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Our aim of this study was to characterize the exposure pattern of polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs) in human placenta and assess their potential effects on neonates. Placenta samples were obtained from a typical e-waste area in Guiyu and a reference area in Haojiang, China. The median ΣPBDE concentration was 32.25 ng/g lipid weight (lw) in placenta samples from Guiyu, and 5.13 ng/g lw from Haojiang. BDE-209 predominated in placenta samples, followed by BDE-28, -47, -99 -153, -183. Residence in Guiyu contributed the most to elevated PDBE levels. Neonatal physiological indices, including bodymass index (BMI), Apgar 1 score and head circumference, were reduced in Guiyu group. No significant difference was found in neonatal weight between the two groups, but neonatal body length in Guiyu was increased. Our data suggest prenatal exposure to PBDEs is high at the e-waste recycling area, and may lead to adverse physiological development in the fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Xu
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
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40
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Breivik K, Armitage JM, Wania F, Jones KC. Tracking the global generation and exports of e-waste. Do existing estimates add up? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:8735-43. [PMID: 25007134 DOI: 10.1021/es5021313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The transport of discarded electronic and electrical appliances (e-waste) to developing regions has received considerable attention, but it is difficult to assess the significance of this issue without a quantitative understanding of the amounts involved. The main objective of this study is to track the global transport of e-wastes by compiling and constraining existing estimates of the amount of e-waste generated domestically in each country MGEN, exported from countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) MEXP, and imported in countries outside of the OECD MIMP. Reference year is 2005 and all estimates are given with an uncertainty range. Estimates of MGEN obtained by apportioning a global total of ∼ 35,000 kt (range 20,000-50,000 kt) based on a nation's gross domestic product agree well with independent estimates of MGEN for individual countries. Import estimates MIMP to the countries believed to be the major recipients of e-waste exports from the OECD globally (China, India, and five West African countries) suggests that ∼ 5,000 kt (3,600 kt-7,300 kt) may have been imported annually to these non-OECD countries alone, which represents ∼ 23% (17%-34%) of the amounts of e-waste generated domestically within the OECD. MEXP for each OECD country is then estimated by applying this fraction of 23% to its MGEN. By allocating each country's MGEN, MIMP, MEXP and MNET = MGEN + MIMP - MEXP, we can map the global generation and flows of e-waste from OECD to non-OECD countries. While significant uncertainties remain, we note that estimated import into seven non-OECD countries alone are often at the higher end of estimates of exports from OECD countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Knut Breivik
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Box 100, NO-2027 Kjeller, Norway
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