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Electronic waste - An emerging threat to the environment of urban India
Abstract and Figures
Electronic waste or e-waste is one of the emerging problems in developed and developing countries worldwide. It comprises of a multitude of components with valuable materials, some containing toxic substances, that can have an adverse impact on human health and the environment. Previous studies show that India has generated 0.4 million tons of e-waste in 2010 which may increase to 0.5 to 0.6 million tons by 2013-2014. Coupled with lack of appropriate infrastructural facilities and procedures for its disposal and recycling have posed significant importance for e-waste management in India. In general, e-waste is generated through recycling of e-waste and also from dumping of these wastes from other countries. More of these wastes are ending up in dumping yards and recycling centers, posing a new challenge to the environment and policy makers as well. In general electronic gadgets are meant to make our lives happier and simpler, but the toxicity it contains, their disposal and recycling becomes a health nightmare. Most of the users are unaware of the potential negative impact of rapidly increasing use of computers, monitors, and televisions. This review article provides a concise overview of India's current e-waste scenario, namely magnitude of the problem, environmental and health hazards, current disposal, recycling operations and mechanisms to improve the condition for better environment.
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... However, the nonmetallic coatings or polymeric components and hydrophobic materials such as plastics could change the intensity of the colour and reduce its absorption in the case of hydrophobic materials [30,51]. The shape and size distributions of E-waste particles will also influence aggregate properties and may therefore need further processing or pretreatments to achieve success [14,52]. ...
... On gradual replacement of natural coarse aggregates by E-waste plastic aggregates such as 10% partial volume replacement, the slump value was decreased from 90 mm to 65 mm. This reduction underscores that adjustments in the mix design, such as changes in watercement ratio or use of superplasticisers, may be necessary in order to increase workability without affecting concrete strength and serviceability [52]. Ullah et al. [30] found that the issues related to workability could be reduced by incorporating a superplasticiser. ...
... The higher content of E-waste plastic, which lowers the compressive strength, may be due to the lower specific gravity and the higher porosity of E-waste materials compared to conventional aggregates. Needihdasan et al. [52] performed a study on E-waste concrete by adding the superplasticisers. They found that 15% E-waste with superplasticiser showed a compressive strength of 27 MPa comparted to 24 MPa without superplasticiser. ...
The accumulation of electronic waste (E-waste) has become a significant global environmental issue, driven by the characteristics of the modern era and the ever-increasing use of electronic devices. Thus, a sustainable approach is necessary to overcome this issue. In this paper, an overview of utilizing E-waste as a sustainable aggregate in concrete production was comprehensively reviewed. The basic composition, characteristics, and production techniques were discussed. In addition to that, the colour, shape, size, aggregate crushing value, and water absorption of E-waste concrete were also discussed. Furthermore, the workability properties such as slump flow, mechanical properties (compressive strength, flexural strength, tensile strength) and thermal resistance of E-waste concrete identified by the various researchers were summarised. Based on the literature review, it is concluded that the shape and size distributions of E-waste particles greatly influenced the aggregate properties, and the percentage of replacement of E-waste aggregate affect the workability and mechanical and thermal properties of E-waste concrete.
... E-waste contains two major types of substances: hazardous [(Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, Chlorofluorocarbon, (PAHs), (PBDEs), (PCDD/ Fs) ] and non-hazardous (base metals such as Cu, Se, Zn and precious metals such as Ag, Au, and Pt) both types have potential negative environmental impacts. Many organic pollutants like polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are released into the environment during improper e-waste processing [5]. These substances are extensively used in many electronic products. ...
... • Beryllium -Carcinogenic (lung cancer), causes skin disease. [5]. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) have come out with a detailed guidelines on management of e-waste which is applicable to all e-waste generators, collectors, transporters, dismantlers and recyclers operating in India. ...
... Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) have come out with a detailed guidelines on management of e-waste which is applicable to all e-waste generators, collectors, transporters, dismantlers and recyclers operating in India. [6] In developed countries several tools like Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Material Flow Analysis (MFA), Multi Criteria Analysis (MCA) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) have been developed to manage e-wastes [5]. The key to success in terms of e-waste management is to develop eco-design devices, properly collect e-waste, recover and recycle material by safe methods, dispose of e-waste by suitable techniques. ...
... It is obvious that the different types of e-waste contain different amounts of copper. The copper content in PCBs of cell phones, PC scrap, LCD notebooks, tablets, TV scrap, and calculator scrap is 39.6% [14], 2.84% [15], 6.93% [16], 135 g/unit [11], 27 g/unit [11], 3.8% [16], and 3% [16]. ...
... It is obvious that the different types of e-waste contain different amounts of copper. The copper content in PCBs of cell phones, PC scrap, LCD notebooks, tablets, TV scrap, and calculator scrap is 39.6% [14], 2.84% [15], 6.93% [16], 135 g/unit [11], 27 g/unit [11], 3.8% [16], and 3% [16]. ...
... It is obvious that the different types of e-waste contain different amounts of copper. The copper content in PCBs of cell phones, PC scrap, LCD notebooks, tablets, TV scrap, and calculator scrap is 39.6% [14], 2.84% [15], 6.93% [16], 135 g/unit [11], 27 g/unit [11], 3.8% [16], and 3% [16]. ...
Due to technological development and increased production efficiency in all industries, recovery of metals from secondary sources is one of the most important issues. Copper is used in a variety of residential and industrial applications, including power generation and transmission (infrastructure), building wiring, transportation, industrial machinery, commercial durables, and electrical and electronic products due to its unique physical and chemical properties, such as high ductility, malleability, electrical and thermal conductivity, and excellent corrosion resistance. For these reasons, electronic waste is a well-known secondary resource rich in copper. This topic focuses on the statistical study of electronic waste and the metals it contains, the mineralogical and elemental identification of copper in electronic waste, and the study of the steps and methods for recovering copper from electronic waste, especially pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, biohydrometallurgy, and their combination.
... E-waste from electrical and electronic devices is a growing contributor to hazardous environmental toxins. Table 1 lists specific types of environmental toxins associated with e-waste and their adverse effects on human health Needhidasan, Samuel, & Chidambaram, 2014). Damage to the nervous system, blood disorders, and kidney damage Mercury ...
... Affects the brain and kidneys; particularly harmful to developing fetuses Polychlorinated Biphenyls Carcinogenic; affects the immune, reproductive, nervous, and endocrine systems Sources: Needhidasan et al., 2014 Notably, three particular environmental toxins-organic solvents, pesticides, and heavy metals (from industrial and e-waste)-have not only been connected with diverse medical conditions but also explicitly linked to peripheral neuropathy ( Table 2; Mitra et al., 2022;Rao, Jortner, & Sills, 2014). Sources: Mitra et al., 2022;Rao et al., 2014 Environmental Toxins Linked to Peripheral Neuropathy: Mechanisms of Action ...
Peripheral neuropathy is a complex disorder characterized by damage to the peripheral nerves, resulting in various sensory, motor, and autonomic symptoms. This review offers a detailed examination of peripheral neuropathy, covering its prevalence, effects on individuals and society, causes, diagnosis, mechanisms, treatment, and management, focusing on its association with environmental toxins.
The etiology of peripheral neuropathy is multifactorial, encompassing diverse causes such as diabetes mellitus, autoimmune diseases, infections, vitamin deficiencies, toxic exposures, and genetic factors. Notably, environmental toxins, including organic solvents, pesticides, and heavy metals, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of peripheral neuropathy.
Environmental toxins exert their neurotoxic effects through various mechanisms, including disruption of neuronal membrane integrity, interference with neurotransmission, induction of oxidative stress, and promotion of inflammatory responses.
Accurate diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy involves a comprehensive medical history, neurological examination, electrophysiological studies, imaging tests, and laboratory investigations to identify underlying causes, including environmental toxin exposure.
Treatment strategies for environmental toxin-induced peripheral neuropathy focus on eliminating exposure, managing symptoms, and preventing further nerve damage. Pharmacological interventions, adjunctive therapies, nutritional support, regular monitoring, and patient education are integral to management.
A multidisciplinary approach is fundamental for diagnosing and managing peripheral neuropathy effectively, emphasizing identifying and mitigating environmental toxin exposure to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.
... The technological advancement in electronic equipment is meant to make lives better and easier, but the rate of e-waste production due to innovations, obsolescence, and damaged devices being dumped away in solid waste (SW) streams pose environmental and health challenges (Needhidasan et al. 2014). The production of e-waste will continue to grow as technological evolution continues to influence the behavior of people in electronic device utilization and disposal due to the short lifespan of electronic equipment and changes in consumer tastes (Needhidasan et al. 2014). ...
... The technological advancement in electronic equipment is meant to make lives better and easier, but the rate of e-waste production due to innovations, obsolescence, and damaged devices being dumped away in solid waste (SW) streams pose environmental and health challenges (Needhidasan et al. 2014). The production of e-waste will continue to grow as technological evolution continues to influence the behavior of people in electronic device utilization and disposal due to the short lifespan of electronic equipment and changes in consumer tastes (Needhidasan et al. 2014). Most of these materials are transported to DCs as secondhand goods where they are dismantled and recycled. ...
... 1) Some causal relationships between solid waste exposure and health outcomes have been demonstrated, but others remain unclear or have not been prioritized as a current public health issue [72]. In particular, people working in waste collection are more likely to be severely affected by injuries, respiratory complications, and transmissions due to their lack of protective equipment [73,74]. ...
Understanding the association between SARS-CoV-2 Spatial Transmission Risk (SSTR) and Built Environments (BE) is crucial for implementing effective pandemic prevention measures. Massive efforts have been made to examine the macro-built environment at the regional level, which has neglected the living service areas at the residential scale. Therefore, this study aims to explore the association between Street-level Built Environments (SLBE) and SSTR in Hong Kong from the 1st to the early 5th waves of the pandemic to address this gap. A total of 3693 visited/resided buildings were collected and clustered by spatial autocorrelation, and then Google Street View (GSV) was employed to obtain SLBE features around the buildings. Eventually, the interpretable machine learning framework based on the random forest algorithm (RFA)-based SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) model was proposed to reveal the hidden non-linear association between SSTR and SLBE.
The results indicated that in the high-risk cluster area, street sidewalks, street sanitation facilities, and artificial structures were the primary risk factors positively associated with SSTR, in low-risk cluster areas with a significant positive association with traffic control facilities. Our study elucidates the role of SLBE in COVID-19 transmission, facilitates strategic resource allocation, and guides the optimization of outdoor behavior during pandemics for urban policymakers.
... This contamination may have detrimental effects on ecosystems. Among different waste, the improper disposal of electronic plastic waste also rapidly increased which causes environmental pollution [18]. ...
The rapid increase of E-Plastic Waste (EPW) attracted the attention of researchers to develop effective waste management and recycling strategies. One option is the utilization of EPW in concrete production. Several researchers focus on the utilization of EPW in concrete production and reported that EPW can be utilized in concrete production. Although this practice is beneficial in terms of waste disposal issues and preserving natural resources. However, practically it is not used due to lack of knowledge and standard guidelines. Therefore, more detailed research is required to explore the potential benefits of EPW utilization in concrete. The study aims to summarize the research carried out on EPW as a concrete ingredient. The review contains a general background, EPW production, and recycling rate. Furthermore, the physical and chemical properties of EPW, EPW impact on concrete fresh properties, mechanical properties, durability aspects, and microstructure are reviewed. Results indicate that the maximum EPW was produced by China and the recycling rate is only 16% which is quite low. Experimental studies show that EPW slightly decreased concrete performance due to poor bonding ability. However, it can be used in normal-strength concrete and promote sustainability. Furthermore, the performance of EPW concrete can be improved with the addition of secondary cementitious materials, but details research is recommended before applying it practically.
... Electronic waste (e-waste) [4] is generated when electronic devices like computers, smartphones, and televisions that also need to be disposed of. According to earlier research, in 2010, India produced 0.4 million tonnes of e-waste; this number may elevate to 0.5-0.6 million tonnes by 2013-2014 [5]. Animal waste, crop residue, and other organic materials are all included in agricultural waste [6], which is produced by farming and agricultural activities. ...
Artificial intelligence (AI) can help improve many areas of waste management and biogas generation. The world has reached a state where waste generation is increasing daily, while an effective waste management system is essential for the sustainable development of a country. AI could be of great use in optimizing the waste management scheme by technical differentiation of all sorts and recycling techniques. AI can contribute to the improvement of waste segmentation, recycling, and disposal. Thus, by assessing availability and composition, AI can easily contribute to the selection of the most suitable feedstock for biogas generation. This paper will discuss the optimization of gasifier design, an important part of biogas production, to enhance gasification efficiency for more efficient syngas production. Several gains accrue from AI applications, and among them is the selection of feedstocks and gasifiers optimal for more efficient and sustainable waste management and use in the production of biogas systems. This review paper identifies the potential application areas in either waste management practices or biogas production and puts forward ways in which AI can be used in these areas.
... As the information industry grows, there is a tendency for the amount of digital waste to increase. E-waste/WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) has increased so far and poses a serious challenge in disposal and recycling for both developed and developing countries [49]. The more widespread the metaverse becomes, the more e-waste such as VR goggles will be generated in the future, requiring proper waste management. ...
The emergence of the metaverse transforms the way humans interact with computers; the metaverse brings about a new form of human-computer interaction that is more immersive, intuitive, and seamless. In the present paper we thus aim to elucidate the role of human-computer interactions in the age of the metaverse. New forms of human-computer interaction via the metaverse are beneficial for humans in many ways; at the same time, however, there are new types of social issues that are emerging as the metaverse develops and that need to be taken seriously. Specifically, we focus upon issues such as privacy, surveillance capitalism, cyber-syndromes, amplifications of other social problems, environmental problems, and discuss what regulations would be appropriate in order to balance the adequate development of the metaverse with the safety and security of it that is required for social good, in particular for sustainable development goals. We finally propose ethical design principles for the sustainable metaverse in order to address the aforementioned and other social issues.
... Electricity consumption involves the use of natural resources (Sambo, 2008) to generate electricity, which has various environmental impacts (Midden, 2007). Modern computer users are producing hazardous toxic waste (Pinto, 2008) by updating outdated hardware, resulting in the disposal of outdated resources and peripherals Computers, like other electronics, pose significant environmental challenges (Needhidasan, 2014) due to their toxic chemicals (Oteng-Ababio, 2010) like lead, mercury and arsenic, increased electricity consumption, and contribution to the energy crisis, CO2 emissions, and global warming, often ending up in landfills (Mundada, 2004). ...
Going Green" is a growing movement promoting environmental protection in various aspects of life, including recycling, energy-efficient equipment, renewable energy sources, environmentally friendly cars, and green structures. Green computing, also known as green technology or green IT, refers to the responsible and eco-friendly use of computers and their resources. It involves designing, developing, producing, using, and disposing of computer systems to minimize environmental impact. Green computing has become the most effective way to use technology, contributing to environmental conservation. The advancement of technology has led to environmental contamination, causing a shift towards efficient computing. This shift aims to reduce hazardous materials use, maximize energy efficiency, and promote recyclability of defunct products and factory waste. This has led to a revolution in computing technology, known as green computing. Green computing focuses on efficient and eco-friendly computing, helping organizations reduce their energy footprint while maintaining performance. This paper aims to raise awareness about green computing.
... The rules also advocate for the creation of an e-waste collection system with good efficiency. However, empirical data indicate that less than 25 % of the generated e-waste undergoes proper management (Needhidasan et al., 2014). Experts suggest that akin to untreated solid waste, a significant portion of e-waste might be finding its way into open spaces and water bodies (Arya and Kumar, 2020). ...
... Originally designed to improve people's living environment, electronic equipment contains chemicals known to be toxic, making informal recycling and disposal dangerous to people's health on the one hand and the environment on the other [6]. In fact, when they are not handled under adequate sanitary and environmental conditions, electrical and electronic equipment releases a set of pollutants that contribute to air, soil and water pollution [7] [8]. ...
... El panorama se agrava cuando se constata que a escala global es inadecuada la infraestructura para la reparación, reutilización o el reciclaje de estos productos, lo cual los lleva a convertirse en desechos electrónicos con cantidades en constante y aumento actualmente valorados como el flujo de desechos domésticos de más rápido crecimiento. Tal problemática representa así uno de los problemas emergentes de la contemporaneidad, dada la multitud de componentes con materiales valiosos que se desechan, así como por las considerables cantidades de sustancias tóxicas que pueden tener un impacto adverso en la salud humana y el medio ambiente (Needhidasan et al., 2014). ...
La economía circular (EC) es un modelo que se contrapone a la economía lineal y busca desacelerar la extracción de materias primas y disposición final de materiales. Para una transición exitosa hacia la EC en México, se necesita adaptarla a la cultura mexicana, establecer sus características, los pasos y las eta¬pas, así como las métricas de la circularidad propias al contexto na¬cional, establecer el nivel de circularidad que se tiene hoy en día y su proyección a futuro. A nivel internacional cada país ha adaptado el concepto de EC a su contexto, teniendo diferentes conceptuali¬zaciones de la EC. México necesita definir la EC que más se adapte a sus características y necesidades. El desafío de establecer la tran¬sición hacía una EC en México es importante, ya que requiere de un cambio sistemático y del involucramiento de diversos actores. El presente libro tiene el objetivo de acercarse lo más posible a la conceptualización de EC mexicana.
The circular economy (CE) is a model that opposes the linear economy and seeks to slow down the extraction of raw materials and final disposal of materials. For a successful transition towards CE in Mexico, it is necessary to adapt it to the Mexican culture, establish its characteristics, the steps and stages, as well as the circularity metrics specific to the national context, establish the level of circularity that it exists today and its future projection. At the international level, each country has adapted the concept of CE to its context, having different conceptualizations of CE. Mexico needs to define the EC that best adapts to its characteristics and needs. The challenge of establishing the transition to a CE in Mexico is important, since it requires a systematic change and the involvement of various actors. This book aims to get as close as possible to the conceptualization of Mexican CE.
... Ghosh et al., 2015;Nshizirungu et al., 2020;Roy et al., 2021). Furthermore, exposure to such metals through food and water beyond their permissible limit may cause several health issues, such as cancer, acute kidney failure, and respiratory diseases (Needhidasan et al., 2014;Pant et al., 2012). Therefore, an ecofriendly and economical metal removal recycling and recovery approach is needed to extract valuable metals from spent batteries. ...
This study presents the bio-extraction and mineralization properties of 5 different Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) to extract valuable metals from spent Li-ion and Ni-Cd batteries. The powdered spent batteries were incorporated for particle size, FTIR, XRD, and XRF analysis. Further, MTB (1 × 10⁷CFUs/ml) was treated individually with the powdered battery sample, and the bioabsorption results showcased the successful removal of lead (98%), nickel (90%), cadmium (97%), zinc (100%), and lead/cadmium (33%) from MSR1, RJS2, RJS5, RJS6, and RJS7, respectively. In addition, the MAG1 consortium treatment effectively removed cadmium (98.5%) and lead (60%). Also, the MAG2 consortium treatment removed cadmium (100%), followed by copper (67%). Similarly, MTB treated with Ni-Cd battery showed the strains RJS5 and MSR1 removed 60% and 66% of cadmium; furthermore, RJS2 and RJS6 removed 72% and 71.4% nickel, respectively. Finally, the RJS7 strain removed 100% lead and 75% cadmium. However, the Ni-Cd battery treated with MAG1 showed effective removal of 67.07% copper and 65% cadmium. Similarly, the MAG2 consortium removed 87% lead and 71% cadmium. The final SEM-EDX and XRF analysis on the Li-ion batteries showed that the RJS2 and RJS5 strains removed zinc and lead effectively. Also, the RJS5 and RJS7 strains treated with the Ni-Cd battery showed better removal of lead and manganese, respectively. This is the first report on the Magnetotactic bacteria to be used for the bio-extraction of valuable metals from spent battery waste.
... El panorama se agrava cuando se constata que a escala global es inadecuada la infraestructura para la reparación, reutilización o el reciclaje de estos productos, lo cual los lleva a convertirse en desechos electrónicos con cantidades en constante y aumento actualmente valorados como el flujo de desechos domésticos de más rápido crecimiento. Tal problemática representa así uno de los problemas emergentes de la contemporaneidad, dada la multitud de componentes con materiales valiosos que se desechan, así como por las considerables cantidades de sustancias tóxicas que pueden tener un impacto adverso en la salud humana y el medio ambiente (Needhidasan et al., 2014). ...
La industria textil y de la confección (itc) es una de las principales influyentes en el estilo de vida de millones de personas y con mayores ingresos
económicos, también se encuentra señalada como de las mayores productoras de contaminantes a nivel mundial debido a sus pocas prácticas sustentables y el seguimiento del modelo de economía lineal. La incorporación
de un modelo de economía circular dentro de esta industria es más que necesario para conseguir los objetivos de la agenda 2030, sin mencionar que
es uno de los sectores con menor involucramiento en estos temas. La itc
en México es muy relevante, cuenta con una diversidad de productores
tanto de pequeñas como de grandes empresas. Sin embargo, en el país aún
no se ha conseguido la trascendencia ni los resultados que se buscan con
los modelos circulares, por lo que se deben conocer cuáles son los motivos o las barreras que retrasan la introducción de la itc en una economía circular. Puesto que éste es el objetivo principal de la investigación, se realizó
una revisión bibliográfica (artículos, páginas web, normativa) identificándo
cuatro barreras: etiquetado y clonación, comercios minoristas-electrónicos;
políticas e incentivos para la economía circular; manejo de residuos y escasez de tecnología. En cada una se encontró que influye de forma directa la
relación productor-comprador, donde existe el temor a pérdidas monetarias
que no incentiva un cambio estructural; para alcanzarlo debe coexistir un
apoyo que implique la participación de autoridades, empresas y consumidor,
involucrados dentro de un sistema de consumo circular.
... Breakdown of biodegradable plastics releases methane, a very powerful greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to global warming (Atiwesh et al., 2021). In addition, other things such as dumping of plastics, several types of solid wastes and disposal of electrical items (such as batteries) cause hostile effect on the soil due to the presence of harmful chemicals (Chaine et al., 2022;Needhidasan et al., 2014). Diverse sources of plastics that contaminate environments have been reported. ...
Plastic pollution is not ignorable because it is not only affecting environment but also living things e.g. human and animal on land and aquatic life in ocean due to micro-plastic. If aquatic life is affected then several other species will be affected including human because it is food-chain. It is surprising that plastic is still being burned in several countries. Management is lacking to tackle this issue. To recognize the magnitude of input of plastic materials to the environmental bodies and the global oceans, we should know several elements of the plastic production, circulation and waste management chain. Several methods have been implemented to tackle this issue including 5R. There should be new ways to solve this problem on large scale. This study reviewed several methods to tackle plastic pollution and highlighted their impact. This study also recommended sustainable solutions which need to be applied. One of the most important solutions is that waste has potential to recover energy with certain technologies such as biotechnology.
... We decided to focus on EBs with respect to information and communication technology (ICT) products since obsolete ICT productsboth industrial and householdconstitute a significant share of e-waste globally (Widmer et al., 2005). In the Indian context, more specifically, it is found that ICT products and consumer electronics collectively constitute nearly half of the e-waste volumes (Needhidasan et al., 2014). Following the same criteria, we formally enlisted electronic products referred to as "ICT products" in our study. ...
Purpose
There is widespread consensus that unchecked growth of e-waste is a major challenge to global sustainability transition. Current research has failed to connect e-waste with principles of circularity and sustainability from the consumption perspective. This paper aims to answer the following questions: What kind of environmental behaviors (EBs) exist among consumers in relation to e-waste?; In what ways are these consumers different from and similar to each other based on their EBs in relation to e-waste?; How do consumers and their EBs contribute to sustainable waste management?
Design/methodology/approach
Based on primary data from an Indian sample of information and communication technology consumers, EBs relevant to e-waste management are identified. In the next stage, a behavior-based segmentation and profiling of consumers is performed.
Findings
The first phase of analysis produced eight distinct EBs which were then used in the next phase to obtain a consumer typology of three segments. The three consumer segments differed significantly with each other on general environmental behavior and awareness about e-waste.
Research limitations/implications
The paper develops a comprehensive conceptual framework for studying the demand-side circularity transition for sustainable e-waste management.
Practical implications
For business stakeholders, findings of the study and the proposed framework can inform behavior change interventions to customize offerings for different right consumer segments.
Originality/value
The paper adds new knowledge to the intersectional area of e-waste, consumer behavior and sustainability through the development of consumer typology and a conceptual framework.
... More precisely, e-waste can be defined as the entirety or components of electrical or electronic equipment that users discard as waste, as well as the remnants from the manufacturing, repair, and refurbishment stages of the production process [3,6,7]. According to one of the previous reports, about 42.0% of e-waste originates from household appliances, 34.0% from communication devices, 14.0% from electronic gadgets, and the remaining 10.0% from accessories [8]. ...
As the volume of e-waste continues to rise, it is crucial to sustainably manage printed circuit boards (PCBs) and their valuable metal components. PCBs are ubiquitous in modern society, powering a variety of electronic devices. The metal resource crisis and the imperative for a low-carbon circular economy have accelerated the development of e-waste recycling technology. High-value discarded PCBs represent a vital component of e-waste. However, discarded PCBs are deemed hazardous to the ecosystem due to the presence of heavy metals and brominated organic polymers. Thus, recycling metals from discarded PCBs is not only a strategic necessity for fostering a green ecological civilisation but also a crucial guarantee for ensuring a safe supply of mineral resources. This comprehensive review gives the profound details of PCBs, and the performance of and advances in the latest chemical metal recovery methods. Reviewing the latest metal recovery processes, we explored the application of diverse leaching agents, including ionic liquids (ILs), deep eutectic solvents (DESs), organic acids and amino acids. These solvents were assessed in terms of their recovery efficiencies, and most of them demonstrated excellent leaching performance. The role of optimising leaching parameters such as concentration, oxidants, pH, particle size, solid-to-liquid ratios (S/L), temperature, and contact time is underscored, offering insights into achieving sustainable PCB recycling practices. Most of these recent leaching methods successfully extracted base metals (Cu, Fe, Zn, Sn, etc.), as well as precious metals (Au and Ag), achieving leaching efficiencies exceeding 90.0%. Interestingly, their effectiveness can compete with that of traditional hydrometallurgical methods.
... For example, flame retardants, phthalates, and APs have been detected J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f in martensite and foams [16]. Trace metals and flame retardants are present in most electronic appliances [17]. Therefore, various chemicals that coexist in house dust should be simultaneously identified to determine the magnitude of residential contamination and to assess human exposure. ...
... According to the results, 50% of plastic was recycled; bottles made up 19.9%; paper made up 10.6%; and 18.8% went into miscellaneous categories, which included things like mattresses, electronics, clothing, shoes, rugs, and other items. People received some of these items that are still in good condition (Needhidasan et al., 2014). Therefore, it was concluded that the plastics were cleaned and utilized to sell liquids such as soap, zobo, and isal, among others. ...
With an average of 42 million tons of waste produced annually and no effective structure for managing solid waste in Nigeria, indiscriminate disposal of waste poses a serious danger to the constituents of the environment. Waste reduction at source is one of the potent strategies for reducing disposable waste, thereby, making non-reused waste at the household level manageable by municipal authority. Therefore, this study examines household waste reduction practices in Ibadan. A random selection of 281 respondents was conducted using a sampling ratio of 3% among three places within the Ibadan North East Local Government Area. Buying packaging-less products, targeting reusable and not items that are disposable in nature, using reusable bags made of recyclable materials for shopping, reducing food remnants and waste, and maintaining and repairing household items are the five household waste reduction practices that have been identified. Results showed that plastic accounted for more than half (54.4%) of the garbage produced, 14.6% was kitchen waste, 19.2% was glass and bottle, and 11.7% was paper waste. The study suggests an aggressive sensitisation programme by Oyo State Waste Management Authority to raise awareness of the benefits of reducing waste before disposal in Ibadan, to curb indiscriminate disposal of waste.
The exponential rise in the manufacturing of electronic components due to technological innovation and the resulting spike in e-waste have prompted scientists and researchers to seek new and sustainable methods to reuse/recycle e-waste to limit its detrimental impact on the environment. Recycling e-waste is still a challenging process due to the lack of facilities. Moreover, disposing of the massive amount of e-waste poses an insurmountable difficulty owing to the presence of toxic chemicals. The enormous output of e-waste has produced many complications, leading to treatment alternatives and detrimental effects on human health and the environment. Most developed countries possess viable e-waste management technology, technological expertise, and well-defined system boundaries. However, the situation differs in underdeveloped countries due to various problems and a lack of applicable policies. Recycling electronic trash into construction materials has significant potential for decreasing waste management issues and safeguarding the environment from contamination. This article summarizes the potential uses of e-waste in building materials through numerous studies utilizing a scientometric approach. A broad spectrum of data has been studied, and the mechanical and durability characteristics of concrete containing e-waste have been compared. This would prove beneficial to the research community, where one can predict the trends in the variation in mechanical characteristics with different replacement percentages of fine and coarse aggregates. E-waste can be used as an effective alternative material to natural aggregates.
E-waste is one of the new troubles that industrialized and emergent countries throughout the world are having to deal with. It is composed of numerous components made of priceless material, some of which enclose dangerous substances. This has had a significant influence on the handling of e-waste in India, as has the absence of appropriate transportation and dealings for its recycle and removal. Electronic devices are generally designed to make our lives easier and happier, but because of the toxins they contain, recycling and disposing of them can be quite unhealthy. An overview of India's present e-waste situation is given in this review article, including with information on the problem's scope, potential health and environmental risks, existing disposal practices, recycling initiatives, and steps being taken to improve the environment. This justifies the requirement for an evaluation of the existing e-waste administration procedures. It evaluates earlier studies on the production of e-waste and the management techniques used by the main e-waste-producing countries.
Background
With rapid increase in electronic waste (e-waste) burden in countries like India, it is essential that undergraduate medical students should possess adequate knowledge on the hazards of e-waste and its disposal as future physicians.
Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 384 undergraduate medical students at a medical college. Data were collected using a pre-tested, structured, self-administered questionnaire distributed through Google Forms. Bivariate analyses were performed to determine the association between sociodemographic variables and adequacy of knowledge.
Results
Their mean age was 21.2 ± 1.6 years. About 92% of them heard of e-waste. About 82.4% mentioned computers, followed by mobile phones (47.7%) as the major sources of e-waste. Genetic damage as a health hazard was reported by 43.2%. Regarding e-waste management, 94.3% of students mentioned ‘recycling’, followed by ‘reuse’ (81%). Approximately 22% of the students discarded old electronic devices along with general waste. Adequate knowledge s regarding sources was among male than female students (69.3% Vs 37.8%) ( P = <0.001); more amongst 1 st and 2 nd professional MBBS students (67.9% and 62.8%, respectively) in comparison to 3 rd professional Part I and Part II MBBS students (38.9% and 50.6%, respectively) ( P < 0.001). Students of urban origin possessed more adequate knowledge (60%) on e-waste processing than their rural counterparts (42%) ( P = 0.002).
Conclusions
Significant associations were found between adequate knowledge on sources of e-waste and male gender, lower academic year of study and urban permanent residence. Continuous medical education, inclusion of e-waste hazards in the school curriculum and establishment of e-waste collection facilities near people’s residences are the needs of the hour.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of man-made chemicals, possess unique properties that have rendered them indispensable in various industries and consumer goods. However, their extensive use and persistence in the environment have raised concerns about their potential repercussions on human health and the ecosystem. This review provides insights into the sources, occurrence, transformation, impacts, fate, monitoring, and remediation strategies for PFAS. Once released into the environment, these chemicals undergo intricate transformation processes, such as degradation, bioaccumulation, and biomagnification, which result in their far-reaching distribution and persistence. Their chemical stability results in persistent pollution, with far-reaching ecological and human health implications. Remediation strategies for PFAS are still in their infancy, and researchers are exploring innovative and sustainable methods for treating contaminated environments. Promising technologies such as adsorption, biodegradation, and electrochemical oxidation have shown the potential to remove PFAS from contaminated sites, yet the search for more efficient and sustainable solutions continues. In conclusion, this review emphasizes the urgent need for continued research and innovation to address the global environmental challenge posed by PFAS. As we move forward, it is imperative to prioritize sustainable solutions that minimize the detrimental consequences of these substances on human health and the environment.
Butachlor is one of the most widely used herbicides in agricultural areas throughout the world. Studies have measured the toxicity of butachlor in single life stages of amphibians, however, less attention has been paid to the impacts of this herbicide on various life stages. Therefore, we collected the eggs of the green toad Bufotes sitibundus from a clean environment with no history of pesticides. We then exposed the collected eggs to the environmentally relevant concentrations of butachlor and measured the growth, survival, and development of green toad during the incubation period. We also measured five different responses i.e., length at the beginning of metamorphosis (LBM), length at the formation of forelimb bud (LFF), length at the end of metamorphosis (LEM), weight at the beginning of metamorphosis (WBM), and weight at the end of metamorphosis (WEM) during the incubation period. The survival rate showed an indirect relationship with butachlor concentrations. The longest development duration was recorded for toads reared in the control (110 days), while the shortest duration (9 days) was observed in the highest butachlor concentration (i.e., 1.5 mg/L), with the highest mortality recorded in this treatment. with all the eggs being died at days 11 and 9 after the start of incubation. We found a significant difference between the survival of toads in butachlor treatments and the control group (P < 0.05). We observed a significant difference between treatments and the control group in LBM, LFF, LEM, and WEM (P < 0.05), except WBM (P > 0.05). Our findings highlight that butachlor at environmentally relevant concentrations inhibited the development of the green toad and mitigated the survival of eggs and larvae, resulting in the unsuccessful completion of the development before metamorphosis as a critical life stage.
According to estimates by United Nations, the world produces 50-60 million tonnes of e-waste every year and e-waste management system adopted across the globe is not competent to control the menace of e-waste. The Researcher intends to study global e-waste management models, guiding responsibility principles, adopted models, standard procedures, imposed penalties, lacunas in policy and probable consequences of mismanagement in various countries. The Researcher wants to explore e-waste management model in India in detail as compared to various models adopted in other countries. The researcher intends to inquire in to effectiveness of various steps like choosing safer technologies, non-hazardous metal substitutes, legal compliance, effective regulatory mechanism, investment opportunities in e-waste recycling and to analyze e-waste management models, legal principles, contemporary approach to curb the menace of e-waste.
Electronic waste is one of mankind's main twenty-first century challenges. It is at an estimated yearly growth rate of 50 million tons and is expected to reach 75 million tons by 2030. Electronic waste has the potential to pollute the environment and harm human health. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to determine the awareness level of participants regarding electronic waste’s negative effects using auto-photography and semi-structured interviews to gather data. Participants were freshmen studying for computing qualifications. Content analysis was used to generate themes for the study. Findings suggest there is a low level of awareness regarding the dangers of e-waste when managed inappropriately.
Purpose
The global construction industry faces both challenges and opportunities from electronic waste (e-waste). This study aims to present a bibliometric analysis and comprehensive literature assessment on e-waste in concrete construction materials.
Design/methodology/approach
This study studies 4,122 Scopus documents to examine garbage generation in different countries and inventive ways to integrate e-waste into construction as a sustainable strategy. This study lists famous researchers and their cooperation networks, demonstrating a robust and dynamic area with a surge in research output, notably from 2018 to 2022. Data is visually represented using VOS Viewer to show trends, patterns and study interests throughout time.
Findings
The findings imply that e-waste can improve construction materials’ mechanical characteristics and sustainability. The results are inconsistent and suggest further optimization. e-Waste into construction has garnered scientific interest for its environmental, life cycle, and economic impacts. This field has great potential for improving e-waste material use, developing sophisticated prediction models, studying environmental implications, economic analysis, policy formulation, novel construction methods, global cooperation and public awareness. This study shows that e-waste can be used in sustainable building. It stresses this area’s need for research and innovation. This lays the groundwork for using electronic trash in buildings, which promotes a circular economy and environmental sustainability.
Research limitations/implications
The findings underscore the critical role of ongoing research and innovation in leveraging e-waste for sustainable building practices. This study lays the groundwork for integrating e-waste into construction, contributing to the advancement of a circular economy and environmental sustainability.
Social implications
The social implications of integrating e-waste into construction are significant. Using e-waste not only addresses environmental concerns but also promotes social sustainability by creating new job opportunities in the recycling and construction sectors. It fosters community awareness and responsibility towards sustainable practices and waste management. Additionally, this approach can reduce construction costs, making building projects more accessible and potentially lowering housing prices.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the field by offering a bibliometric analysis and comprehensive assessment of e-waste in concrete construction materials, highlighting its global significance.
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to investigate and analyze the interactions between economic and sustainable development elements in the context of remanufacturing in India.
Design/methodology/approach
To comprehend the hierarchical and contextual link among factors impacting remanufacturing in India, the study used interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) methodologies.
Findings
The integrated ISM-DEMATEL approach identifies optimal utilization of the resources as the most crucial factor influencing remanufacturing in India, followed by reducing landfills, conserving energy and low cost. The study also reveals that optimal utilization of resources, reduction of landfills, conservation of energy and incorporated advanced technology impacts most of the factors but get affected by a few factors.
Practical implications
Industry practitioners and policymakers should consider the remanufacturing process to achieve sustainable and economic development. The government and other stakeholders can use the ISM framework and cause-and-effect diagram to classify the impact factors and their impact on the Indian economy and environment.
Social implications
This study supports the process to save the landfills and curbing pollution, conserve energy and optimize utilization of the resources, generate employment and supporting the development of the economy. Remanufacturing will undoubtedly contribute to the development of an environment and economy in India that benefits both.
Originality/value
ISM and DEMATELs strategy offers a tiered model and a cause-and-effect relationship between the variables affecting remanufacturing in India.
The inventiveness of this article is to assess awareness of different segments of users and handlers of e-waste with respect to four dimensions of e-waste management. These dimensions are government policies (extended producer responsibility (EPR), subsidies of setting up dismantling & recycling units, e-waste rule 2016 and 2018, etc.), government and corporate e-waste management initiatives, impact on health and environment, and awareness among households. To achieve the objective, a survey by structured questionnaire asking users and handlers was conducted. In all, valid data of 89 respondents were analysed. This data was collected using the convenience sampling technique. The collected data was subjected to descriptive analysis, chi-square test, factor analysis and its associated parameters and measures. Findings indicate higher than average level of awareness among users and handlers of different demographic. Gender and education have a significant association with purchase decisions and age and education level with the upgradation of electronic items. The study also suggests there is a need to increase the level of awareness of e-waste management among users and handlers.
The recent surge in electronic device usage has led to a notable rise in electronic waste (E-waste) generation, presenting significant environmental challenges. This study aims to quantify Kerala’s E-waste inventory and formulate a comprehensive management plan. Utilizing sales data from 2017 to 2020 and estimating E-waste generation based on “average” or “end-of-life” durations of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) items, the analysis forecasts substantial E-waste quantities. Key assumptions include correlating sales data with E-waste generation and utilizing guidelines for estimating E-waste quantities based on EEE item types and sales figures. The highest E-waste generation is predicted for the years 2028–2029, estimated at 97,541 tonnes, which is crucial for the state’s management strategy. To address this challenge, the study proposes a comprehensive environmental management plan that integrates the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle (3R) into its core strategies. The plan includes establishing 78 collection units across the state, strategically allocated based on the Taluk (a sub-division of a district) population, to ensure efficient E-waste collection and recovery of reusable items. Additionally, the study outlines the need for 273 recycling units statewide, with Malappuram district requiring the most units due to its high population density. The plan emphasizes efficient E-waste collection, segregation, and recycling, promoting responsible consumption and resource conservation. The study furnishes a “cradle-to-grave” framework for the management of E-waste at local, regional, and national levels, serving as a valuable resource for pollution control boards, regulatory bodies, statutory bodies, and research organizations alike.
The massive influx of electronics into Nigeria has led to environmental challenges due to increase in the production of electronic waste, which causes serious health and pollution problems. This study investigated the level and impact of heavy metals in 30 soil samples from an electronic waste disposal site in southwest Nigeria, using appropriate standard methods. The range concentrations of the heavy metals were 1615 mg/kg Pb, 20 mg/kg Cr, 266.32 mg/kg Ni, 22.39 mg/kg Cd and 242.03 mg/kg Cu at depth 0-15cm while 1453.56 mg/kg Pb, 26.31 mg/kg Cr, 497.11 mg/kg Ni, 17.04 mg/kg Cd and 230.31 mg/kg Cu were observed at depth 15-30 cm. The concentrations of the heavy metals exceeded the allowable limits, except for Cr. The mean degree of contaminations, 18.15 and 14.35, were observed at depths 0-15 and 15-30 cm respectively and indicated considerable and moderate degree of contamination by the heavy metals, respectively. The mean Potential index of 323.52 and 225.79 at depth 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm showed sever toxicity and moderate toxicity, respectively. The-. of Pb at both depths indicated extreme contamination. This study reveals sever potential environmental and health hazards in the neighborhood, ecosystem, and community, and advises that the government should establish a national policy on e-waste and regulate testing of all electronics imported under the names of reuse, donation and recycling, which will halt the importation of e-scraps (e-waste).
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have a complex relationship with the environment, with certain positive as well as negative effects. Through a comprehensive examination of the entrepreneurial landscape in the domain of green ICT in Uttar Pradesh, India, the research aims to investigate the factors influencing the entrepreneurial intentions of the youth community towards green ICT to encourage environmental sustainability. The research shed light on the involved interplay of individual characteristics, social and environmental contexts, and educational and institutional support systems. By employing a comprehensive qualitative study‐interview approach combined with exploratory factor analysis (EFA) various factors such as technological innovation, supportive regulatory frameworks (government policies), entrepreneurial resilience, family and social network support, environmental awareness and concern, availability of resources, market demand, and support of academic institutions are identified as the prominent factors which underscore the multifaceted nature of entrepreneurial intentions among the youth community. The findings contribute valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and entrepreneurs alike, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and policies to nurture a vibrant ecosystem of green ICT entrepreneurship, thereby driving sustainable development and environmental conservation.
Abstract
E-waste -the aftermath of large amount of electrical and electronic equipment ferried into Africa from which Nigeria receives a significant chunk, is composed of components known to be hazardous to health. Composition of series of heavy metals (HMs) in e-waste is traceable to many health conditions including cancer which is hitherto incompletely understood. This study harmonizes primary data on HMs from e-waste in different Nigerian environmental media including the air, soil, surface dust, water and plant. We estimated the possible health implications, single and aggregative soil and water pollution indices both in adult and children categories, carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks secondary to HM exposure and mapped out the possible mechanism of carcinogenesis. Analysis showed that soil, water, surface dust and plant matrices in Nigerian environment are variedly but considerably contaminated with combination of HMs. The significantly high values of the hazard quotient and hazard index of both water and surface dust matrices are indicative of adverse health effect of the non-carcinogenic risk. The highest HQ is generated by Pb and Cr through dermal exposure to soil and surface dust with mean values of 1718.48, 1146.14, 1362.10 and 1794.61 respectively among Nigerian children followed by the oral exposure. This pattern of observation is similar to that obtained for adult category. HI due to Pb and Cr in soil constitutes the highest HI (2.05E+03 and 1.18E+03 respectively) followed by surface dust. However, this study precipitates the observation that children are more at health risk than adults in contaminated environment. Carcinogenic risk also follows the same pattern of expression in the Nigerian environment. We conclude that exposure to e-waste poses significant carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks and the induction of toxicity may be mediated via DNA damage, oxidative stress and inflammatory/immune cells dysfunction in Nigerian environment.
This chapter addresses how electronic devices are becoming more and more integrated into daily life and how this has led to an increase in the production of electronic waste, or “e-waste.” These devices are efficient and convenient, but incorrect disposal puts human and environmental health at serious risk. According to statistics, e-waste production has increased dramatically, underscoring the need for sustainable management techniques. Introducing dangerous chemicals into ecosystems caused by improper e-waste disposal threatens ecological balance and biodiversity. The chapter emphasizes the detrimental impacts on human health, especially for unofficial recyclers, as well as the possible tainting of the food chain. The chapter promotes strict regulations, public awareness campaigns, and responsible e-waste disposal practices to solve these problems. Electronic device recycling and reuse are essential strategies for lowering the need for primary materials and reducing waste production. It emphasizes how important it is for institutions, manufacturers, and governments to work together to develop and enforce comprehensive e-waste management regulations. The chapter’s conclusion emphasizes the necessity of education and training in promoting a group effort to lessen the adverse effects of e-waste on the environment and human health. The chapter’s later sections explore e-waste types, environmental and human health impacts, and e-waste management techniques before a conclusion.
The soaring rise of electronic and electrical waste (E-waste) leads to significant challenges to the South Asian region, urging for incorporating comprehensive assessment and management strategies. The research dives into the intricacies of E-waste and examines how regulatory barriers, public ignorance, and the limited lifespan of electronic devices all contribute to the significant production of E-waste. This study emphasizes the vital need for ongoing and appropriate management practices by bringing attention to the short lifespan of electronic devices and the resulting generation of E-waste. This work also addresses the increased risks that people who live close to informal recycling sites for electronic waste face, as well as the dangerous substances that are found in them and how they harm the environment and human health. Furthermore, in order to promote circular economies and increase productivity, the study assesses management practices in both developed and developing nations, placing special emphasis on component reuse and recycling. Along with addressing the grave consequences of the illicit E-waste trade on the environment, particularly in developing nations, this review attempts to enlighten stakeholders and policymakers about the vital need for coordinated efforts to address the issues related to E-waste in the South Asian region by offering insights into E-waste assessment and management techniques.
Changing lifestyles cause people to consume salty foods more frequently.
Salt is the ordinary source of dietary sodium. High salt intake leads to the cause of
non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Hence, the World Health Organization (WHO)
recommends minimizing salt intake (< 5 g per day). In Sri Lanka, “colour coding for
sugar, salt, and fat” regulation was implemented to label foods with the level of salt.
Food habits and consumption patterns start in childhood and last throughout life. Since
Sri Lankan children are exposed to influencing advertising on food choices and dietary
habits, a Nutrient Profile Model (NPM) for Sri Lanka was prepared with suggestions
on the marketing of foods and non-alcoholic beverages (FNB) to children. Quantifying
sodium in foods in which the sodium content has not been quantified and establishing
threshold limits (TL) for food groups without TL is vital in implementing NPM. The TL of
certain food groups in NPM does not tally with the sodium level corresponding to the
green code of food colour coding, which is healthier and creates contradictory issues
when implemented together. Product reformulation with reduced salt is feasible to be
in line with the green code and implementing recommendations to manufacturers to
reformulate varieties of high, medium, and low salt products or reduce salt equal to
the TL provided in the model is critical. Moreover, it is important to precede campaigns
to improve the nutrition literacy of the community. In NPM, sodium refers to the salt
content of food, whereas in the regulation of colour coding, salt means total salt
content in the form of sodium chloride (NaCl) and allows quantifying NaCl by analysing
chlorides. Hence, establishing accurate analytical methods to quantify sodium is vital.
Background: The field of information and communication technology has made enormous strides, which have resulted in a massive rise in the use of electronic devices, particularly computers and mobile phones. Electronic garbage, or "e-waste," has become enormous due to the increase in the manufacturing and consumption of electronic equipment as well as its shorter lifespan. Furthermore, a significant amount of these gadgets are transported across borders as used electronics from developed nations in an effort to narrow the digital divide. Objectives: This paper reviews e-waste produced in India "its sources, composition, and current management practices. The paper also studies the state wise, city wise e-waste collected and processed. The paper also talks about the global scenario of e-waste. The paper ends with the study of environmental and health implications of e-waste. Fixing responsibility for waste disposal on producers, establishment of formal recycling facilities, and strict enforcement of legislation on e-waste are some of the options to address this rapidly growing problem." Discussion: The exponential growth in production and consumption of electronic equipment has resulted in a surge of e-waste generation. Many electronic items contain hazardous substances including lead, mercury and cadmium. Informal recycling or disposing of such items poses serious threat to human health and the environment. Conclusions: Strict enforcement of waste disposal laws is required along with the implementation of health assessment studies to mitigate inappropriate management of end-of-life electronic wastes in developing countries.
As the rapid pace of technological advancement continues to propel society into the digital age, the surge in electronic waste (e-waste) poses significant challenges to environmental sustainability. This research explores modern technological innovations in digital waste management that contribute to the reduction, recycling, and responsible disposal of electronic devices. Special attention is given to advancements in recycling methods, the application of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), robotics, and IoT in automated e-waste processing. The research investigates the utilization of exploring how materials can facilitate easier recycling and reduce the environmental impact of electronic devices. The research also explores the role of extended producer responsibility (EPR) in adapting to sustainable practices in product design, disposal, and recycling. This research contributes by offering an understanding of the tools, strategies, and policies that can contribute to a more sustainable volume of e-waste in our increasingly digitized world.
The proliferation of electronic devices in today's digital age, while ushering in technological advancements, has given rise to a pressing global issue: the exponential accumulation of electronic waste (e-waste). Not only is this a grave environmental concern, but its ramifications also spill over into health and equity domains. Delving into the social dimensions of e-waste, this chapter seeks to spotlight the pressing health risks associated with improper e-waste management and the equity concerns inherent in its production, disposal, and recycling. Drawing from various studies, the chapter posits that addressing the e-waste conundrum requires a multi-pronged approach, emphasizing the importance of global collaboration, regulatory frameworks, public awareness, and technological interventions.
The concept of microbiological leaching have played a greater role to recover valuable metals from various sulfide minerals or low grade ores during the middle era of twentieth century and that continued till the end of the century. Slowly, due to depletion of ore/minerals, and implementation of stricter environmental rules, microbiological leaching process has been shifted for its application to recover valuable metals from the different industrial wastes. Although there are conventional processes, physical and chemical methods, for treatment of industrial wastes, these technologies have certain limitation in practical applications. The microbial method is an efficient and cost-effective alternative to chemical and physical methods because of its low demand for energy, material and less generation of waste byproduct. There are several industrial wastes that possess toxic elements and thus when leached into atmosphere cause serious environmental problem. Among the wastes, spent petroleum catalysts, electronic scraps, lithium battery wastes, sewage sludge, fly ash etc. are some of the major industrially produced wastes. These solid wastes mostly contain Ni, V, Mo, Co, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cr like heavy metals in it. The major microorganisms those play the significant role in recovery of heavy metals from such wastes belong to acidophilic group. These acidophilic groups thrive in acidic pH ranges (pH 2.0 – 4.0) and help in dissolving the metals from solid phase of wastes into the aqueous phase. Among the bacteria Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans, Leptospirillum ferrooxidans, and Sulfolobus sp., are well known consortia for the bioleaching activity while Penicillium, and Aspergillus niger are some fungi those help in metal leaching process. The current chapter will be thoroughly studied about the application of these acidophilic microorganisms for the metal recovery from different industrial wastes. The key microorganisms and their bioleaching mechanism have been focused here.
This work constitutes the first part of activities being carried out within the context of beneficiation of valuable metals from a brand of spent mobile phones by leaching process in laboratory scale. The printed circuit board of the mobile phone was employed in this study. The effects of parameters such as acid concentration, particle size and temperature on the leaching efficiency at different time intervals were investigated. With 4M HCl solution about 87.4% was dissolved within 120 minutes at a temperature of 80 o C using 300rpm and a particle size of about 0.1mm. Finally, the results of this investigation showed that the rate of dissolution of the spent powdered cell phone was found to depend on the hydrogen ion concentration, the system temperature and particle diameter.
In 2004, more than 180 million personal computers (PCs) were sold worldwide. In the same year, an estimated 100 million obsolete PCs entered waste streams and were either recycled for the recovery of materials or finally disposed of. A PC may contain up to 4 g of gold and other valuable materials that can be recovered at a profit, particularly if the work is done in low-income countries. However, as is the case with almost all present-day electronic products, a PC also contains toxic substances such as lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, selenium, and hexavalent chromium. In many parts of the world, both formal and informal recycling industries that deal with the rapidly growing streams of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), or e-waste for short, have emerged. For the EU15 (the 15 countries constituting the EU before May 2004), the WEEE generated per capita today is between 4 and 20 kg/a (Widmer et al., in this issue). The range of uncertainty is mainly due to definitional problems, as it is typical for the entire e-waste topic. Computers are only one type of WEEE. However, given the trend towards pervasive computing, which means that more and more everyday commodities will contain microprocessors in the future, the borderlines between dclassicT electrical equipment (such as refrigerators) and electronic equipment will become blurred. One can already see today that more and more objects that used to be considered purely delectricalT are now equipped with computer chips, and thus have turned into delectronicT objects. Today, more than 98% of all programmable microprocessors are embedded in commodities that are usually not perceived as computers (e.g., household appliances and toys). Even more relevant from an environmental point of view, many commodities that until recently were considered dnon-electricT are now being equipped with microprocessors for extended functionality, or with radiofrequency identification (RFID) transponders for contactless identification (Hilty et al. 2005; Oertel et al. 2005). Both the old (device-like) and new (embedded) types of information and communi-cation technologies (ICTs) are spreading out rapidly, leaping geopolitical borders and penetrating our everyday lives across traditional categories of basic commodities. Given these trends in ICT diffusion and application, it is likely that the dissipation of valuable and toxic materials due to the distribution and disposal of electronics will continue, unless effective countermeasures are taken. The hope that the continued miniaturization of electronics, according to the so-called Moore's Law and related technological trends, will 0195-9255/$ -see front matter Deiar solve the problem in the long run is neither supported by experience nor by the expectations explicitly stated by ICT manufacturers. Experience shows that the miniaturization of devices is usually counteracted by the growing numbers of devices produced. For instance, the considerable reduction in the average physical mass of a mobile phone from over 350 g (1990) to about 80 g (2005), which corresponds to a reduction by a factor of 4.4, was accompanied by an increase in the number of subscribers, which in turn led to a rise of the total mass flow by a factor of 8.0 (data for Switzerland; Hilty et al. 2005). In every case of miniaturization in digital electronics thus far, the price per functional unit has fallen and triggered greater demand, which compensates–or even overcompensates–for the miniaturization effect in terms of mass flow. There is no evidence that this rebound effect of miniaturization will no longer apply if the visions called dpervasive computing,T dubiquitous computing,T or dambient intelligenceT become real. Quite the contrary, IBM expects that in the next 5–10 years, about 1 billion (10 9) people will be using more than a trillion (10 12) networked objects across the world. This would mean that there would be an average of 1000 dsmart objectsT per person in the richer part of the world, each containing a processor and some communication module. If we assume that the average mass of an electronic component used to make an object dsmartT is about 10 g and that such a component would be in service for about 1 year, the resulting per-capita flow of e-waste amounts to 10 kg/a. This value is on the same order of magnitude as today's e-waste in industrialized countries, as mentioned above. We can conclude that implementing the dsmart objectsT vision would not render the mass flows of electronic waste negligible; however, it will certainly change the quality and manageability of these flows. Taking other technological visions literally can even lead to dramatic results. One example is the vision of de-grainsT—very small processors that are envisioned to be used as dintelligent wall paint,T turning walls into large-scale displays and rooms into distributed computers. In a study for the Swiss Center for Technology Assessment, it was hypothetically assumed that this technology would be applied to give every inhabitant of Western Europe, North America, and Japan one dintelligent room.T Assuming further that nickel will still be used as a constituent of e-grains, it was estimated that more than 40% of the world's annual nickel production (1.2 million tonnes in the year 2000) would be required to produce the wall paint (Hilty et al 2005). This example shows that the supply of exotic raw materials could become a limiting factor for future electronics production. The temporary shortage of tantalum that occurred in 1999–2001 demonstrated this problem. Only two companies extract tantulum from the mineral coltan in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Australia. This scarcity appreciably slowed the growth of the ICT industry (e.g., in the mobile phone and games console segments) (Horvath 2002). In the project dThe Future Impact of ICT on Environmental SustainabilityT for the European Commission, a socio-economic simulation study with a time horizon running up to 2020 was carried out for three different policy scenarios (Hilty et al. 2004). Even in the scenario which assumed that environmental regulation would be put into force to internalize external costs (e.g., accounting for the externalities of extracting and processing raw materials, supplying energy, and disposing of waste), the total EU15 WEEE mass flow Editorial 432
There is increasing concern about chemical pollutants that are able to mimic hormones, the so-called endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), because of their structural similarity to endogenous hormones, their ability to interact with hormone transport proteins or because of their potential to disrupt hormone metabolic pathways. Thus, the effects of endogenous hormones can be mimicked or, in some cases, completely blocked. A substantial number of environmental pollutants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phthalates, bisphenol A, pesticides, alkylphenols and heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury), have been shown to disrupt endocrine function. These compounds can cause reproductive problems by decreasing sperm count and quality, increasing the number of testicular germ cells and causing male breast cancer, cryptorchidism, hypospadias, miscarriages, endometriosis, impaired fertility, irregularities of the menstrual cycle, and infertility. Although EDCs may be released into the environment in different ways, the main sources is industrial waste water. The present paper critically reviews the current knowledge of the impact of EDCs on reproductive disorders in humans.
Arsenic (As) is a toxic metalloid element that is present in air, water and soil. Inorganic arsenic tends to be more toxic than organic arsenic. Examples of methylated organic arsenicals include monomethylarsonic acid [MMA(V)] and dimethylarsinic acid [DMA(V)]. Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated oxidative damage is a common denominator in arsenic pathogenesis. In addition, arsenic induces morphological changes in the integrity of mitochondria. Cascade mechanisms of free radical formation derived from the superoxide radical, combined with glutathione-depleting agents, increase the sensitivity of cells to arsenic toxicity. When both humans and animals are exposed to arsenic, they experience an increased formation of ROS/RNS, including peroxyl radicals (ROO•), the superoxide radical, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical (OH•) via the Fenton reaction, hydrogen peroxide, the dimethylarsenic radical, the dimethylarsenic peroxyl radical and/or oxidant-induced DNA damage. Arsenic induces the formation of oxidized lipids which in turn generate several bioactive molecules (ROS, peroxides and isoprostanes), of which aldehydes [malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxy-nonenal (HNE)] are the major end products. This review discusses aspects of chronic and acute exposures of arsenic in the etiology of cancer, cardiovascular disease (hypertension and atherosclerosis), neurological disorders, gastrointestinal disturbances, liver disease and renal disease, reproductive health effects, dermal changes and other health disorders. The role of antioxidant defence systems against arsenic toxicity is also discussed. Consideration is given to the role of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E (α-tocopherol), curcumin, glutathione and antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in their protective roles against arsenic-induced oxidative stress.
Objective
Although industrial sectors involving semiconductors; memory and storage technologies; display, optical, and photonic technologies; energy; biotechnology; and health care produce the most products that contain nanomaterials, nanotechnology is also used as an environmental technology to protect the environment through pollution prevention, treatment, and cleanup. In this review, we focus on environmental cleanup and provide a background and overview of current practice; research findings; societal issues; potential environment, health, and safety implications; and future directions for nanoremediation. We do not present an exhaustive review of chemistry/engineering methods of the technology but rather an introduction and summary of the applications of nanotechnology in remediation. We also discuss nanoscale zerovalent iron in detail.
Data sources
We searched the Web of Science for research studies and accessed recent publicly available reports from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies and organizations that addressed the applications and implications associated with nanoremediation techniques. We also conducted personal interviews with practitioners about specific site remediations.
Data synthesis
We aggregated information from 45 sites, a representative portion of the total projects under way, to show nanomaterials used, types of pollutants addressed, and organizations responsible for each site.
Conclusions
Nanoremediation has the potential not only to reduce the overall costs of cleaning up large-scale contaminated sites but also to reduce cleanup time, eliminate the need for treatment and disposal of contaminated soil, and reduce some contaminant concentrations to near zero—all in situ. Proper evaluation of nanoremediation, particularly full-scale ecosystem-wide studies, needs to be conducted to prevent any potential adverse environmental impacts.
Electronic waste (e-waste) has been an emerging environmental health issue in both developed and developing countries, but its current management practice may result in unintended developmental neurotoxicity in vulnerable populations. To provide updated information about the scope of the issue, presence of known and suspected neurotoxicants, toxicologic mechanisms, and current data gaps, we conducted this literature review.
We reviewed original articles and review papers in PubMed and Web of Science regarding e-waste toxicants and their potential developmental neurotoxicity. We also searched published reports of intergovernmental and governmental agencies and nongovernmental organizations on e-waste production and management practice.
We focused on the potential exposure to e-waste toxicants in vulnerable populations-that is, pregnant women and developing children-and neurodevelopmental outcomes. In addition, we summarize experimental evidence of developmental neurotoxicity and mechanisms.
In developing countries where most informal and primitive e-waste recycling occurs, environmental exposure to lead, cadmium, chromium, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polychlorinated biphenyls, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is prevalent at high concentrations in pregnant women and young children. Developmental neurotoxicity is a serious concern in these regions, but human studies of adverse effects and potential mechanisms are scarce. The unprecedented mixture of exposure to heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants warrants further studies and necessitates effective pollution control measures.
Pregnant women and young children living close to informal e-waste recycling sites are at risk of possible perturbations of fetus and child neurodevelopment.
The heavy metal cadmium (Cd) is known to be a widespread environmental contaminant and a potential toxin that may adversely affect human health. Exposure is largely via the respiratory or gastrointestinal tracts; important non-industrial sources of exposure are cigarette smoke and food (from contaminated soil and water). The kidney is the main organ affected by chronic Cd exposure and toxicity. Cd accumulates in the kidney as a result of its preferential uptake by receptor-mediated endocytosis of freely filtered and metallothionein bound Cd (Cd-MT) in the renal proximal tubule. Internalised Cd-MT is degraded in endosomes and lysosomes, releasing free Cd(2+) into the cytosol, where it can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activate cell death pathways. An early and sensitive manifestation of chronic Cd renal toxicity, which can be useful in individual and population screening, is impaired reabsorption of low molecular weight proteins (LMWP) (also a receptor-mediated process in the proximal tubule) such as retinol binding protein (RBP). This so-called 'tubular proteinuria' is a good index of proximal tubular damage, but it is not usually detected by routine clinical dipstick testing for proteinuria. Continued and heavy Cd exposure can progress to the clinical renal Fanconi syndrome, and ultimately to renal failure. Environmental Cd exposure may be a significant contributory factor to the development of chronic kidney disease, especially in the presence of other co-morbidities such as diabetes or hypertension; therefore, the sources and environmental impact of Cd, and efforts to limit Cd exposure, justify more attention.
Iron-oxidizing bacteria belonging to the genus Leptospirillum are of great importance in continuous-flow commercial biooxidation reactors, used for extracting metals from minerals, that
operate at 40°C or less. They also form part of the microbial community responsible for the generation of acid mine drainage.
More than 16 isolates of leptospirilla were included in this study, and they were clearly divisible into two major groups.
Group I leptospirilla had G+C moles percent ratios within the range 49 to 52% and had three copies of rrn genes, and based on 16S rRNA sequence data, these isolates clustered together with the Leptospirillum ferrooxidans type strain (DSM2705 or L15). Group II leptospirilla had G+C moles percent ratios of 55 to 58% and had two copies of rrn genes, and based on 16S rRNA sequence data, they form a separate cluster. Genome DNA-DNA hybridization experiments indicated
that three similarity subgroups were present among the leptospirilla tested, with two DNA-DNA hybridization similarity subgroups
found within group I. The two groups could also be distinguished based on the sizes of their 16S-23S rRNA gene spacer regions.
We propose that the group II leptospirilla should be recognized as a separate species with the name Leptospirillum ferriphilum sp. nov. Members of the two species can be rapidly distinguished from each other by amplification of their 16S rRNA genes
and by carrying out restriction enzyme digests of the products. Several, but not all, isolates of the group II leptospirilla,
but none from group I (L. ferrooxidans), were capable of growth at 45°C. All the leptospirilla isolated from commercial biooxidation tanks in South Africa were
from group II.
Lead concentration in whole blood (BPb) is the primary biomarker used to monitor exposure to this metallic element. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization define a BPb of 10 microg/dL (0.48 micromol/L) as the threshold of concern in young children. However, recent studies have reported the possibility of adverse health effects, including intellectual impairment in young children, at BPb levels < 10 microg/dL, suggesting that there is no safe level of exposure. It appears impossible to differentiate between low-level chronic Pb exposure and a high-level short Pb exposure based on a single BPb measurement; therefore, serial BPb measurements offer a better estimation of possible health outcomes. The difficulty in assessing the exact nature of Pb exposure is dependent not so much on problems with current analytical methodologies, but rather on the complex toxicokinetics of Pb within various body compartments (i.e., cycling of Pb between bone, blood, and soft tissues). If we are to differentiate more effectively between Pb stored in the body for years and Pb from recent exposure, information on other biomarkers of exposure may be needed. None of the current biomarkers of internal Pb dose have yet been accepted by the scientific community as a reliable substitute for a BPb measurement. This review focuses on the limitations of biomarkers of Pb exposure and the need to improve the accuracy of their measurement. We present here only the traditional analytical protocols in current use, and we attempt to assess the influence of confounding variables on BPb levels. Finally, we discuss the interpretation of BPb data with respect to both external and endogenous Pb exposure, past or recent exposure, as well as the significance of Pb determinations in human specimens including hair, nails, saliva, bone, blood (plasma, whole blood), urine, feces, and exfoliated teeth.
The importance of information technology to the world economy has brought about a surge in demand for electronic equipment. With rapid technological change, a growing fraction of the increasing stock of many types of electronics becomes obsolete each year. We model the costs and benefits of policies to manage 'e-waste' by focusing on a large component of the electronic waste stream-computer monitors-and the environmental concerns associated with disposal of the lead embodied in cathode ray tubes (CRTs) used in most monitors. We find that the benefits of avoiding health effects associated with CRT disposal appear far outweighed by the costs for a wide range of policies. For the stock of monitors disposed of in the United States in 1998, we find that policies restricting or banning some popular disposal options would increase disposal costs from about US dollar 1 per monitor to between US dollars 3 and US dollars 20 per monitor. Policies to promote a modest amount of recycling of monitor parts, including lead, can be less expensive. In all cases, however, the costs of the policies exceed the value of the avoided health effects of CRT disposal.
Electronic waste, or e-waste, is an emerging problem as well as a business opportunity of increasing significance, given the volumes of e-waste being generated and the content of both toxic and valuable materials in them. The fraction including iron, copper, aluminium, gold and other metals in e-waste is over 60%, while pollutants comprise 2.70%. Given the high toxicity of these pollutants especially when burned or recycled in uncontrolled environments, the Basel Convention has identified e-waste as hazardous, and developed a framework for controls on transboundary movement of such waste. The Basel Ban, an amendment to the Basel Convention that has not yet come into force, would go one step further by prohibiting the export of e-waste from developed to industrializing countries. Section 1 of this paper gives readers an overview on the e-waste topic—how e-waste is defined, what it is composed of and which methods can be applied to estimate the quantity of e-waste generated. Considering only PCs in use, by one estimate, at least 100 million PCs became obsolete in 2004. Not surprisingly, waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) today already constitutes 8% of municipal waste and is one of the fastest growing waste fractions. Section 2 provides insight into the legislation and initiatives intended to help manage these growing quantities of e-waste. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is being propagated as a new
A new species of ferrous-iron-oxidizing, moderately thermophilic, acidophilic bacteria, Acidimicrobium ferrooxidans, has been described. Two isolates of the species differed only in the tendency of one, previously known as strain TH3, to grow in filaments. The chromosomal DNA base composition is between 67 and 69 mol0/o G +C. The capacity of this species to fix CO, from air was greater than that of iron-oxidizing thermoacidophiles of the genus Sulfobacillus, which required an enhanced CO, concentration for optimum autotrophic growth. Under air, ferrous iron oxidation in mixed cultures of A. ferrooxidans with either Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans or Sulfobacillus acidophilus was more extensive than in pure cultures of these three strains. The greater part of ferrous iron oxidation in mixed cultures probably resulted from activity of the Sulfobacillus species, which possess a greater tolerance of ferric iron, and which presumably grew mixotrophically utilizing organic compounds from A. ferrooxidans .
This paper attempts to make an assessment and policy recommendation for the Indian perspective through a cross-national review of current practice and policy. It also addresses in a transition economy with some reference to policies and practices in other transition economies. It has been shown that existing Hazardous Waste Rules could overturn the necessity of a separate national legislation dealing with e-waste alone after it is being configured to accommodate e-waste for its management in India. The regulatory approach proposed could serve as a model or at least a starting point for other transition countries that may not be so far along as India with respect to management of e-waste. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Bandyopadhyay, A. (2008) 'A regulatory approach for e-waste management: a cross-national review of current practice and policy with an assessment and policy recommendation for the Indian perspective', Int. J. Environment and Waste Management, Vol. 2, Nos. 1/2, pp.139–186. Biographical notes: Amitava Bandyopadhyay is an Environmental Engineer of the West Bengal Pollution Control Board that implements various Environmental Rules and Regulations. He did his BTech from the Calcutta University, MTech and PhD in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. Initially, he worked in a trans-national organisation in carrying out EIA and Hazop Studies, Risk Analysis, conceptual designing of ETP and Air Pollution Control systems. Besides his active background in teching, his major research areas include waste minimisation, advanced separation methods and emission control. Incidentally, he has gained experiences in almost all fields of Environmental Science and Engineering.
Exudation of low molecular weight organic acids by fungi was studied in a project focusing on bioremediation of metal-contaminated
soils. The production of acids (mainly oxalic and citric acid) as a response to nutrient variations and presence of metals
has recently been reported (Arwidsson et al. 2009). A significant release of metals was observed and was related not only to the production of organic acids but also to the
resulting pH decrease in the systems. The processes governing the release and redistribution of metals in the soil–water fungus
system were the focus of the present continuation of the project, based on observations of Aspergillus niger, Penicillium bilaiae, and a Penicillium sp. The release of lead was 12% from the soil with the second highest initial load (1,600mgkg−1), while the release of copper was 90% from the same soil (140mgkg−1). The dominating mechanism behind the release and subsequent redistribution was the change in pH, going from near neutral
to values in the range 2.1–5.9, reflecting the production of organic acids. For some of the systems, the formation of soluble
complexes is indicated (copper, at intermediate pH) which favors the metal release. Iron is assumed to play a key role since
the amount of secondary iron in the soils is higher than the total load of secondary heavy metals. It can be assumed that
most of the heavy metals are initially associated with iron-rich phases through adsorption or coprecipitation. These phases
can be dissolved, or associated metals can be desorbed, by a decrease in pH. It would be feasible to further develop a process
in technical scale for remediation of metal-contaminated soil, based on microbial metabolite production leading to formation
of soluble metal complexes, notably with copper.
Electronic waste, or e-waste, is an emerging problem as well as a business opportunity of increasing significance, given the volumes of e-waste being generated and the content of both toxic and valuable materials in them. The fraction including iron, copper, aluminium, gold and other metals in e-waste is over 60%, while pollutants comprise 2.70%. Given the high toxicity of these pollutants especially when burned or recycled in uncontrolled environments, the Basel Convention has identified e-waste as hazardous, and developed a framework for controls on transboundary movement of such waste. The Basel Ban, an amendment to the Basel Convention that has not yet come into force, would go one step further by prohibiting the export of e-waste from developed to industrializing countries.
Management of metal pollution associated with E-waste is widespread across the globe. Currently used techniques for the extraction of metals from E-waste by using either chemical or biological leaching have their own limitations. Chemical leaching is much rapid and efficient but has its own environmental consequences, even the future prospects of associated nanoremediation are also uncertain. Biological leaching on the other hand is comparatively a cost effective technique but at the same moment it is time consuming and the complete recovery of the metal, alone by biological leaching is not possible in most of the cases. The current review addresses the individual issues related to chemical and biological extraction techniques and proposes a hybrid-methodology which incorporates both, along with safer chemicals and compatible microbes for better and efficient extraction of metals from the E-waste.
Leaching copper from shredded particles of waste printed circuit boards (PCBs) was carried out in sulfuric acid solution using hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant at room temperature. The influence of system variables on copper recovery by leaching was investigated, such as sulfuric concentration, amount of hydrogen peroxide addition, waste PBCs particle size, presence of cupric ion, temperature and time. The results shown that the optimum addition amount was 100mL 15 (wt%) sulfuric acid solution and 10 mL of 30% hydrogen peroxide for leaching 10 g waste PCBs powder with a solid/liquid ratio of 1/10 for 3h at room temperature (∼23 °C). Moreover leaching temperature and initial copper ion concentration had insignificant effect on the leaching recovery of copper. The effect of different particle size of shredded waste PCBs on leaching of copper was investigated under the optimum leaching condition. The results revealed that shredding pieces of waste PCBs smaller than 1mm was efficient and suitable for copper leaching. Then the leaching solution was concentrated to crystallize CuSO(4)·5H(2)O, and crystal liquor was reused for the next cycles.
Nickel is a constituent of many dental alloys. This article reviews papers published in regard to biological reactions to nickel in dentistry. Nickel is a common allergen but there is no evidence that patients are at significant risk of developing sensitivity solely due to contact with nickel-containing dental appliances and restorations. Allergic reactions are more likely to occur with prior sensitization from non-dental contacts. Some nickel compounds, which are mildly cytotoxic, have been implicated as carcinogens by inhalation in industrial settings, but these compounds are not present in dental related operations. It is concluded that subjected to recommendations for practitioners and technicians, nickel containing dental alloys do not pose a risk to patients or members of the dental team. Keywords: Nickel; Allergy; Dental alloys
This study describes the effects of cell condition, pH, and temperature on lead, zinc, and copper sorption to Acidithiobacillus caldus strain BC13 with a Langmuir model. Copper exhibited the highest loading capacity, 4.76 ± 0.28 mmol g(-1), to viable cells at pH 5.5. The highest k(L) (binding-site affinity) observed was 61.2 ± 3.0 L mmol(-1) to dehydrated cells at pH 4.0. The pHs that maximized loading capacities and binding-site affinities were generally between 4.0 and 5.5, where the sum of free-proton and complexed-metal concentrations was near a minimum. Of additional importance, lead, zinc, and copper sorbed to viable cells at pH values as low as 1.5. Previous studies with other acidithiobacilli did not measure viable-cell sorption below pH 4.0. In separate experiments, desorption studies showed that far less copper was recovered from viable cells than any other metal or cell condition, suggesting that uptake may play an important role in copper sorption by At. caldus strain BC13. To reflect an applied system, the sorption of metal mixtures was also studied. In these experiments, lead, zinc, and copper sorption from a tertiary mixture were 40.2 ± 4.3%, 28.7 ± 3.8%, and 91.3 ± 3.0%, respectively, of that sorbed in single-metal systems.
This review paper summarizes the existing knowledge on the chemical hazards associated with recycling and other end-of-life treatment options of waste electrical and electronic equipment (e-waste). The hazards arise from the presence of heavy metals (e.g., mercury, cadmium, lead, etc.), flame retardants (e.g., pentabromophenol, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA), etc.) and other potentially harmful substances in e-waste. If improperly managed, the substances may pose significant human and environmental health risks. The review describes the potentially hazardous content of e-waste, examines the existing e-waste management practices and presents scientific data on human exposure to chemicals, workplace and environmental pollution associated with the three major e-waste management options, i.e., recycling, incineration and landfilling. The existing e-waste management practices and associated hazards are reviewed separately for developed and developing countries. Finally, based on this review, the paper identifies gaps in the existing knowledge and makes some recommendations for future research.
In this study we used the Forum of European Geological Surveys geochemical baseline data to examine the distribution of cadmium (Cd) in Europe, with a particular reference to the international soil and water guideline values. The highest cadmium levels were found to occur in topsoil and to follow closely the distribution of P(2)O(5), suggesting that the contamination was from the use of rock phosphate fertilizer in intensive arable agriculture. In terms of human health impacts, food (up to several hundred microg/day) was found as the only major route of exposure to Cd for the non-smoking general population. It appeared that low levels of chronic exposure to Cd resulted in completely different human health impacts than those high levels that had caused the 'itai-itai' disease. Some correlations were suggested between cadmium levels and the age-adjusted prostate or breast cancer rates distributed in the European countries under study.
Bioleaching of heavy metals from a contaminated soil in an industrial area using metabolites, mainly weak organic acids, produced by a fungus Aspergillus niger was investigated. Batch experiments were performed to compare the leaching efficiencies of one-step and two-step processes and to determine the transformation of heavy metal chemical forms during the bioleaching process. After the one or two-step processes, the metal removals were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and least-significance difference (LSD). A. niger exhibits a good potential in generating a variety of organic acids effective for metal solubilisation. Results showed that after the one-step process, maximum removals of 56%, 100%, 30% and 19% were achieved for copper, cadmium, lead and zinc, respectively. After the two-step process, highest removals of 97.5% Cu, 88.2% Cd, 26% Pb, and 14.5% Zn were obtained. Results of sequential extraction showed that organic acids produced by A. niger were effective in removing the exchangeable, carbonate, and Fe/Mn oxide fractions of Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn; and after both processes the metals remaining in the soil were mainly bound in stable fractions. Such a treatment procedure indicated that leaching of heavy metals from contaminated soil using A. niger has the potential for use in remediation of contaminated soils.
Chromosome damage similar to that caused by radiation was discovered in the cultured lymphocytes of a radiation worker and his family who were exposed to americium for several years.
Exposure to arsine gas is an important environmental health hazard of concern in numerous and diverse occupational circumstances. Arsine causes a rapid and unique hemolysis and may result in oliguric renal failure, which is uniformly fatal without proper therapy. Recent attempts to use geothermal and fossil fuel energy sources high in arsenic content may increase the frequency of arsine exposure. This report is intended as a review of arsine poisoning, with emphasis on its clinical features, pathogenesis and treatment.
Biomining is the use of microorganisms to extract metals from sulfide and/or iron-containing ores and mineral concentrates. The iron and sulfide is microbially oxidized to produce ferric iron and sulfuric acid, and these chemicals convert the insoluble sulfides of metals such as copper, nickel and zinc to soluble metal sulfates that can be readily recovered from solution. Although gold is inert to microbial action, microbes can be used to recover gold from certain types of minerals because as they oxidize the ore, they open its structure, thereby allowing gold-solubilizing chemicals such as cyanide to penetrate the mineral. Here, we review a strongly growing microbially-based metal extraction industry, which uses either rapid stirred-tank or slower irrigation technology to recover metals from an increasing range of minerals using a diversity of microbes that grow at a variety of temperatures.
Heavy metal leaching of electronic waste has been documented in recent literature. Heavy metal aquatic toxicity in the toxicity characteristic (TC) leachates produced from 56 electronic devices were tested using the aquatic toxicity assays such as Ceriodaphnia dubia 48-hr acute toxicity assay, the Selenatastrum capricornutum chronic algal growth inhibition assay (test used only for circuit-board leachates), and the MetPLATE acute heavy metal toxicity tests. The electronic devices tested, include 9 circuit boards (printed wire boards), 2 videocassette recorders, 4 remote controls, 1 cathode ray tube, 15 cellular phones, 1 calculator, 5 smoke detectors and their PC board components, 3 printers, 4 laptop computers, and 7 personal computer central processing units (CPUs). The toxicity tests showed toxicity in 51 of the 56 Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure leachates of electronic devices assayed.
Computer circuit board scrap was first treated with one part concentrated nitric acid and two parts water at 70 degrees C for 1 h. This step dissolved the base metals, thereby liberating the chips from the boards. After solid-liquid separation, the chips, intermixed with some metallic flakes and tin oxide precipitate, were mechanically crushed to liberate the base and precious metals contained within the protective plastic or ceramic chip cases. The base metals in this crushed product were dissolved by leaching again with the same type of nitric acid-water solution. The remaining solid constituents, crushed chips and resin, plus solid particles of gold, were leached with aqua regia at various times and temperatures. Gold was precipitated from the leachate with ferrous sulphate.
The production of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) is one of the fastest growing global manufacturing activities. This development has resulted in an increase of waste electric and electronic equipment (WEEE). Rapid economic growth, coupled with urbanization and growing demand for consumer goods, has increased both the consumption of EEE and the production of WEEE, which can be a source of hazardous wastes that pose a risk to the environment and to sustainable economic growth. To address potential environmental problems that could stem from improper management of WEEE, many countries and organizations have drafted national legislation to improve the reuse, recycling and other forms of material recovery from WEEE to reduce the amount and types of materials disposed in landfills. Recycling of waste electric and electronic equipment is important not only to reduce the amount of waste requiring treatment, but also to promote the recovery of valuable materials. EEE is diverse and complex with respect to the materials and components used and waste streams from the manufacturing processes. Characterization of these wastes is of paramount importance for developing a cost-effective and environmentally sound recycling system. This paper offers an overview of electrical and e-waste recycling, including a description of how it is generated and classified, strategies and technologies for recovering materials, and new scientific developments related to these activities. Finally, the e-waste recycling industry in India is also discussed.
Waste electric and electronic equipment, or electronic waste, has been taken into consideration not only by the government but also by the public due to their hazardous material contents. In the detailed literature survey, value distributions for different electronic waste samples were calculated. It is showed that the major economic driver for recycling of electronic waste is from the recovery of precious metals. The state of the art in recovery of precious metals from electronic waste by pyrometallurgical processing, hydrometallurgical processing, and biometallurgical processing are highlighted in the paper.
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