Characterization of air emissions and residual ash from open burning of electronic wastes during simulated rudimentary recycling operations |
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Authors: | Brian K Gullett William P Linak Abderrahmane Touati Shirley J Wasson Staci Gatica Charles J King |
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Institution: | (1) National Risk Management Research Laboratory (E305-01), Office of Research and Development., U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA;(2) ARCADIS G&M, Inc, Durham, NC, USA;(3) Office of Science Policy (8104R), Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, USA |
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Abstract: | Air emissions and residual ash samples were collected and analyzed during experiments of open, uncontrolled combustion of
electronic waste (e-waste), simulating practices associated with rudimentary e-waste recycling operations. Circuit boards
and insulated wires were handled separately to simulate processes associated with metal recovery. The average emissions of
polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDFs) were 92 ng toxic equivalency (TEQ)/kg n = 2, relative standard deviation (RSD) = 98%] and 11 900 ng TEQ/kg (n = 3, RSD = 50%) of the initial mass of the circuit boards and insulated wire, respectively. The value for the insulated wire
is about 100 times higher than that for backyard barrel burning of domestic waste. The emission concentrations of polybrominated
dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/PBDFs) from the combustion of circuit boards were 100 times higher than for their polychlorinated
counterparts. Particulate matter (PM) sampling of the fly ash emissions indicated PM emission factors of approximately 15
and 17 g/kg of the initial mass for the circuit boards and insulated wire, respectively. Fly ash samples from both types of
e-waste contained considerable amounts of several metallic elements and halogens; lead concentrations were more than 200 times
the United States regulatory limits for municipal waste combustors and 20 times those for secondary lead smelters. Leaching
tests of the residual bottom ash showed that lead concentrations exceeded U.S. Environmental Protection Agency landfill limits,
designating this ash as a hazardous waste. |
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Keywords: | Electronic waste Emissions Ash Recycling PCDD PCDF PBDD PBDF Metals TCLP Flame retardants |
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