Electronic waste (e-Waste) is hazardous, cumbersome, and the fastest increasing solid waste generated worldwide. E-Waste is a concern for public health both for persons close to the source and those far away. There is minimal regulation and a lack of enforcement of the regulations that do exist, globally. Unregulated and rudimentary recycling practices involve burning of e-Waste that results in toxic ash residue. Using mobile phones as a surrogate for e-Waste, this research mimicked the global waste stream and rudimentary recycling practices found in e-Waste “cottage villages” in order to identify and quantify the toxicants found in e-Waste ash that can introduce toxic chemicals into the air, soil, and water systems. Many of the chemicals found in the ash can lead to diseases for populations at risk of exposure. Populations can be exposed through dermal contact, ingestion, and inhalation. A sample of 98 cell phones was manually dismantled into four categories (batteries, screens, circuit boards, and plastics). The categories were then individually shredded and incinerated for 5 minutes at temperatures ranging from 743 – 818 degrees Celsius (1371 – 1505 degrees Fahrenheit). Ash was then analyzed for metals, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), dioxin/furan, Polybrominated Diphenly Ethers (PBDE), and volatile organic compounds using US EPA methods 6010C, 6020A, 7470A, 7471B, 8082A, 8260C, 8270C, 8270D, and 8290. Many toxicants are identified and quantified. U.S. EPA’s TRACI model was used to assess the environmental impacts from the toxic chemicals identified. The implications from this research help to inform decision-makers on local and global scales. The results can also be useful for manufacturers of consumer electronic products who may be subject to mandates to eliminate or reduce the hazardous materials components of their products.

Public health risks from non-sustainable practices of rudimentary e-Waste recycling

256th National Meeting (2018)

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