Metal levels in computer monitor components discarded in the vicinities of electronic workshops |
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| Authors: | Paschal Okiroro Iniaghe Oladele Osibanjo |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria;2. Basel Convention Coordinating Centre for Training and Technology Transfer for the African Region, University of Ibadan Linkage Centre, Ibadan, Nigeria |
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| Abstract: | Levels of Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu, Zn, and Cd in the glass screens (GS) and printed wiring boards (PWBs) of obsolete computer monitors (OCMs) were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS) following standard digestion. Metal concentrations (mg kg?1) in GS were in the following ranges (medians in brackets): Pb ND – 3100 (46), Cd 0.5–2.6 (0.8), Cr ND – 18.7 (3.1), and Zn 8.1–600 (37) and in PWBs (mg kg?1): Pb 34,600 ± 17,000, Cd 11 ± 9, Cr 59 ± 45, Zn 15,900 ± 7800, Cu79,000 ± 22,600, and Ni 3200 ± 2500. In GS, the levels of the six metals were lower than their total threshold limit concentrations (TTLC), except for Pb with a TTLC of 1000 mg kg?1 in 10% of the samples. In the PWBs, the TTLC of Pb and Cu (2500 mg kg?1) was exceeded many fold. For Zn (5000 mg kg?1) and Ni (2000 mg kg?1); they were exceeded by 90% and 65%, respectively. For OCMs manufactured in 2001 and later, Pb and Zn levels in GS and Cr, Zn, and Ni in PWBs were significantly reduced. |
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| Keywords: | e-waste metals total threshold limit concentration computer monitor glass screens printed wiring board |
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