E-waste dismantling as a source of personal exposure and environmental release of fine and ultrafine particles
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Show full item recordcomunitat-uji-handle:10234/9
comunitat-uji-handle2:10234/7033
comunitat-uji-handle3:10234/8618
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Title
E-waste dismantling as a source of personal exposure and environmental release of fine and ultrafine particlesAuthor (s)
Date
2022Publisher
ElsevierISSN
0048-9697Bibliographic citation
López M, Reche C, Pérez-Albaladejo E, Porte C, Balasch A, Monfort E, Eljarrat E, Viana M. E-waste dismantling as a source of personal exposure and environmental release of fine and ultrafine particles. Sci Total Environ. 2022 Aug 10;833:154871. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154871. Epub 2022 Mar 29. PMID: 35364180Type
info:eu-repo/semantics/articleVersion
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersionSubject
Abstract
Electronic waste (WEEE; from TV screens to electric toothbrushes) is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world. Prior to recycling, e-waste components (metals, wood, glass, etc.) are processed by shredding, ... [+]
Electronic waste (WEEE; from TV screens to electric toothbrushes) is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world. Prior to recycling, e-waste components (metals, wood, glass, etc.) are processed by shredding, grinding and chainsaw cutting. These activities generate fine and ultrafine particle emissions, containing metals as well as organics (e.g., flame retardants), which have high potential for human health impacts as well as for environmental release. In this work, release of fine and ultrafine particles, and their exposure impacts, was assessed in an e-waste recycling facility under real-world operating conditions. Parameters monitored were black carbon, particle mass concentrations, ultrafine particles, and aerosol morphology and chemical composition. Potential health impacts were assessed in terms of cytotoxicity (cell viability) and oxidative stress (ROS) on <2 μm particles collected in liquid suspension. Environmental release of WEEE aerosols was evidenced by the higher particle concentrations monitored outside the facility when compared to the urban background (43 vs.11 μgPM2.5/m3, respectively, or 2.4 vs. 0.2 μgCa/m3). Inside the facility, concentrations were higher in the top than on the ground floor (PM2.5 = 147 vs. 78 μg/m3, N = 15.4 ∗ 104 vs. 8.7 ∗ 104/cm3, BC = 12.4 vs. 7.2 μg/m3). Ventilation was a key driver of human exposure, in combination with particle emissions. Key chemical tracers were Ca (from plastic fillers) and Fe (from wiring and other metal components). Y, Zr, Cd, Pb, P and Bi were markers of cathode TV recycling, and Li and Cr of grinding activities. While aerosols did not evidence cytotoxic effects, ROS generation was detected in 4 out of the 12 samples collected, associated to the ultrafine fraction. We conclude on the need for studies on aerosol emissions from WEEE facilities, especially in Europe, due to their demonstrable environmental and human health impacts and the rapidly growing generation of this type of waste. [-]
Is part of
Science of the Total Environment 833 (2022) 154871Funder Name
Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation | Spanish Ministry of Science and Universities
Project code
CEX2018-000794-S | RTI2018-098095-B-C21 | 2017 SGR41
Project title or grant
SINERGIA | Severo Ochoa Project | AGAUR
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info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
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