Characterization and Toxic Potency of Airborne Particles Formed upon Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment Waste Recycling: A Case Study

Abstract

Manual dismantling, shredding, and mechanical grinding of waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) at recycling facilities inevitably lead to the accidental formation and release of both coarse and fine particle aerosols, primarily into the ambient air. Since diffuse emissions to air of such WEEE particles are not regulated, their dispersion from the recycling plants into the adjacent environment is possible. The aim of this interdisciplinary project was to collect and characterize airborne WEEE particles smaller than 1 μm generated at a Nordic open waste recycling facility from a particle concentration, shape, and bulk and surface composition perspective. Since dispersed airborne particles eventually may reach rivers, lakes, and possibly oceans, the aim was also to assess whether such particles may pose any adverse effects on aquatic organisms. The results show that WEEE particles only exerted a weak tendency toward cytotoxic effects on fish gill cell lines, although the exposure resulted in ROS formation that may induce adverse effects. On the contrary, the WEEE particles were toxic toward the crustacean zooplankter Daphnia magna, showing strong effects on survival of the animals in a concentration-dependent way.

Toxic Effects of Rare Earth Elements on Human Health: A Review

“…The oral inhalation of REE can lead to long-term deposition in humans and produce chronic toxic effects [33]. In addition, WEEE is spread through the air and in other ways, which also means exposure to rare earth elements is no longer limited to residents in mining areas [34]. Meanwhile, since intravascular gadolinium contrast agents are used as substitutes for iodine contrast agents, the potential toxicity of REEs to the human body through iatrogenic exposure cannot be ignored [18].…”