Heavy metal contamination of surface soil in electronic waste dismantling area: site investigation and source-apportionment analysis

Abstract

The dismantling and disposal of electronic waste (e-waste) in developing countries is causing increasing concern because of its impacts on the environment and risks to human health. Heavy-metal concentrations in the surface soils of Guiyu (Guangdong Province, China) were monitored to determine the status of heavy-metal contamination on e-waste dismantling area with a more than 20 years history. Two metalloids and nine metals were selected for investigation. This paper also attempts to compare the data among a variety of e-waste dismantling areas, after reviewing a number of heavy-metal contamination-related studies in such areas in China over the past decade. In addition, source apportionment of heavy metal in the surface soil of these areas has been analysed. Both the MSW open-burning sites probably contained invaluable e-waste and abandoned sites formerly involved in informal recycling activities are the new sources of soil-based environmental pollution in Guiyu. Although printed circuit board waste is thought to be the main source of heavy-metal emissions during e-waste processing, requirement is necessary to soundly manage the plastic separated from e-waste, which mostly contains heavy metals and other toxic substances.

Contamination and risk of heavy metals in soils and sediments from a typical plastic waste recycling area in North China

“…Hg compounds are customarily applied as decoration or coating in plastic products such as plastic toys (Sun, 2005;Guney and Zagury, 2012). Some plastics from WEEE could contain or be contaminated by Hg and its compounds that are normally used in fluorescent lamps, relays, or temperature switches in electric and electronic equipment (Li and Shi, 2011;Ni et al, 2014). High metal levels in plastic wastes have been reported in many previous studies (Soares et al, 2005;Morf et al, 2007;Dimitrakakis et al, 2009;Stenvall et al, 2013).…”

“…Various metals are used in different plastics as additives or filling materials (Dimitrakakis et al, 2009;Li and Shi, 2011;Nakashima et al, 2012;Rochman et al, 2013). These additives include pigments (e.g., ZnO and Cr 2 O 3 ), flame retardants (often brominated organics combined with Sb 2 O 3 ) and stabilizers or plasticizers (e.g., compounds of Cd, Pb and Zn) (Morf et al, 2007;Li and Shi, 2011).…”

“…These additives include pigments (e.g., ZnO and Cr 2 O 3 ), flame retardants (often brominated organics combined with Sb 2 O 3 ) and stabilizers or plasticizers (e.g., compounds of Cd, Pb and Zn) (Morf et al, 2007;Li and Shi, 2011). The amounts and types of metal compounds applied to plastic products constantly increase, because a range of different properties are achieved by the incorporation of these metal compounds (Yu et al, 2008;Kotori et al, 2012).…”

“…For example, brominated organics and phthalate esters (PAEs) have been extensively applied in plastic products as flame retardants and plasticizers, respectively. These additives also include other flame retardants and plasticizers, pigments, stabilizers, and reinforcement components, which are composed of heavy metals or metal compounds (Dimitrakakis et al, 2009;Li and Shi, 2011;Nakashima et al, 2012;Rochman et al, 2013). In some products, the contents of these dangerous additives are high or extremely high (Morf et al, 2007;Dimitrakakis et al, 2009;Stenvall et al, 2013 …”

Houttuynia cordata Hyperaccumulates Lead (Pb) and its Combination with Bacillus subtilis wb600 Improves Shoot Transportation

“…Pb as one main heavy metal coming from mining and automobile exhausts greatly impacts human health and food safety. Therefore, it is urgent to solve the problem of heavy metal pollution and many efforts should be urgently taken to solve the heavy metal contamination (Tang et al, 2008;Jin et al, 2010;Jinhui et al, 2011). The remediation of heavy metal pollution has become one of the hottest topics worldwide.…”