Bioaccumulative characteristics of hexabromocyclododecanes in freshwater species from an electronic waste recycling area in China

Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) are now emerging ubiquitous contaminants due to their wide usage, persistence and toxicities. To investigate the bioaccumulative characteristics of HBCDs, sediments, Winkle (Littorina littorea), crucian carp (Carassius carassius) and loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) were collected from two streams near an E-waste dismantling site in China. and HBCD exposure test was then conducted on Chinese rare minnow. The concentration of HBCDs was 14 ng g(-1) dry weight in sediments, 186. 377 and 1791 ng g(-1) lipid weight in winkle, crucian carp and loach, respectively. gamma-HBCD was found to be the dominant diastereoisomer in the sediments (63% of total HBCDs). However, alpha-HBCD was selectively accumulated in the biotic samples and contributed to 77%, 63% and 63% of total HBCDs in winkle, crucian carp and loach, respectively. Moreover, an enrichment of (-)-enantiomers of alpha- and gamma-HBCD were found in the winkle. The reverse results were observed in the crucian carp and loach. Similar observations of diastereoisomeric and enantiomeric composition were obtained in Chinese rare minnow with those found in the crucian carp and loach. These results indicate that the freshwater species from the streams are contaminated by HBCDs. alpha-HBCD can be selectively accumulated in organisms and the accumulative characteristics are enantioselective among species. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Body loadings and health risk assessment of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans at an intensive electronic waste recycling site in China

This study is one of the very few investigating the dioxin body burden of a group of child-bearing-aged women at an electronic waste (e-waste) recycling site (Taizhou, Zhejiang Province) (24 +/- 2.83 years of age, 40% were primiparae) and a reference site (Lin'an city, Zhejiang Province, about 245 km away from Taizhou) (24 +/- 2.35 years of age, 100% were primiparae) in China. Five sets of samples (each set consisted of human milk, placenta, and hair) were collected from each site. Body burdens of people from the e-waste processing site (human milk, 21.02 +/- 13.81 pg WHO-TEQ(1998/g) fat (World Health Organization toxic equivalency 1998); placenta, 31.15 +/- 15.67 pg WHO-TEQ(1998/g) fat; hair, 33.82 +/- 17.74 pg WHO-TEQ(1998/g) dry wt) showed significantly higher levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurnas (PCDD/Fs) than those from the reference site (human milk, 9.35 +/- 7.39 pg WHO-TEQ(1998/g) fat, placenta, 11.91 +/- 7.05 pg WHO-TEQ(1998/g) fat; hair, 5.59 +/- 4.36 pg WHO-TEQ(1998/g) dry wt) and were comparatively higher than other studies. The difference between the two sites was due to e-waste recycling operations, for example, open burning, which led to high background levels. Moreover, mothers from the e-waste recycling site consumed more foods of animal origin. The estimated daily intake of PCDD/Fs within 6 months by breast-fed infants from the e-waste processing site was 2 times higher than that from the reference site. Both values exceeded the WHO tolerable daily intake for adults by at least 25 and 11 times, respectively. Our results implicated that e-waste recycling operations cause prominent PCDD/F levels in the environment and in humans. The elevated body burden may have health implications for the next generation.

Electronic waste governance: sustainable solutions to a global dilemma

Le présent mémoire a pour objet les formes, les caractéristiques et les défis de la gouvernance des déchets électroniques. L’auteure explore les impactes socioéconomiques et environnementales de divers types d’instruments conçus pour mitiger les risques à la santé humaine et à l’environnement que présentent les produits électroniques en fin de vie, notamment: les traités multilatéraux qui visent à prohiber le transfert des déchets hasardeux au pays en développement, les législations régionales, nationales et provinciales mettant en vigueur des systèmes de recyclage obligatoire des déchets électroniques, ainsi que d’autres initiatives, publics et privées, basées sur le principe de la responsabilité élargie des producteurs (REP). L’objectif de ce travail est de comprendre comment les acteurs impliqués dans le commerce de l’équipement électronique peuvent modeler les systèmes de production, d’usage et du traitement fin de vie des technologies contemporaines pour que ces dernières puissent continuer à faire élever les standards de vie et à avancer le développement des communautés humaines, en respectant simultanément le principe international de l’équité globale, l’environnement naturel et la qualité de vie des générations futures.

Electronic waste exchange for just-in-time building demolition

Waste exchange is as a facilitator for construction and demolition waste deduction by reuse and recycling in construction projects. The just-in-time philosophy, which has been well cultivated in the manufacturing industry, is highly adoptable for demolition projects. Particularly, waste exchange that is usually performed after the actual demolition process can be shifted forward so that waste inventory from demolition is eliminated or reduced to facilitate waste reuse and recycling. A web-based waste exchange system is an ideal platform to enable communications among project participants before a demolition project commences so that waste materials can be sold before they are produced. Therefore, the productivity of the demolition project could be improved. This research paper aims to investigate and analyse the adoption of just-in-time philosophy in building demolition project management. It also describes the development of the proposed web-based waste exchange system that implements just-in-time demolition in detail, including its functionalities, information flows and major components.

THE PERFORMANCE AND MODIFICATION OF RECYCLED ELECTRONIC WASTE PLASTICS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF ASPHALT PAVEMENT MATERIALS

Bulk electric waste plastics were recycled and reduced in size into plastic chips before pulverization or cryogenic grinding into powders. Two major types of electronic waste plastics were used in this investigation: acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and high impact polystyrene (HIPS). This research investigation utilized two approaches for incorporating electronic waste plastics into asphalt pavement materials. The first approach was blending and integrating recycled and processed electronic waste powders directly into asphalt mixtures and binders; and the second approach was to chemically treat recycled and processed electronic waste powders with hydro-peroxide before blending into asphalt mixtures and binders. The chemical treatment of electronic waste (e-waste) powders was intended to strengthen molecular bonding between e-waste plastics and asphalt binders for improved low and high temperature performance. Superpave asphalt binder and mixture testing techniques were conducted to determine the rheological and mechanical performance of the e-waste modified asphalt binders and mixtures. This investigation included a limited emissions-performance assessment to compare electronic waste modified asphalt pavement mixture emissions using SimaPro and performance using MEPDG software. Carbon dioxide emissions for e-waste modified pavement mixtures were compared with conventional asphalt pavement mixtures using SimaPro. MEPDG analysis was used to determine rutting potential between the various e-waste modified pavement mixtures and the control asphalt mixture. The results from this investigation showed the following: treating the electronic waste plastics delayed the onset of tertiary flow for electronic waste mixtures, electronic waste mixtures showed some improvement in dynamic modulus results at low temperatures versus the control mixture, and tensile strength ratio values for treated e-waste asphalt mixtures were improved versus the control mixture.

Biotransfer of persistent organic pollutants from a large site in China used for the disassembly of electronic and electrical waste

Samples of groundwater, river water, river sediment, paddy soil, rice seeds, hen eggs, fish, umbilical cord blood, and newborn meconium were collected from October 2002 to October 2003 near a large site in China used for the disassembly of obsolete transformers and other electronic or electrical waste. Six indicator PCB congeners, three non-ortho dioxin-like PCB congeners, and six organochlorine pesticides were determined in the samples by GC with electron capture detector. The results demonstrated that the local environment and edible foods had been seriously polluted by toxic PCBs and organochlorine pesticides. The actual daily intakes (ADIs) of these pollutants were estimated for local residents living in the area. The intake data showed that the contents of PCBs in these local residents were substantial, as the ADI estimates greatly exceed the reference doses set by the World Health Organization and the United States Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. The presence of the indicator PCB congeners in the cord blood and the meconium samples, as well as significant correlations (r(2) > 0.80, p < 0.05) between these levels, suggests a potential biotransfer of these indicators from mothers to their newborns. This preliminary study showed that obsolete transformers and other electronic or electrical waste can be an important source for the emission of persistent organic pollutants into the local environment, such as through leakage, evaporation, runoff, and leaching. Contamination from this source appears to have reached the level considered to be a serious threat to environmental and human health around the disassembly site.

Health consequences of exposure to e-waste : a systematic review

Background The population exposed to potentially hazardous substances through inappropriate and unsafe management practices related to disposal and recycling of end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment, collectively known as e-waste, is increasing. We aimed to summarise the evidence for the association between such exposures and adverse health outcomes. Methods We systematically searched five electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsycNET, and CINAHL) for studies assessing the association between exposure to e-waste and outcomes related to mental health and neurodevelopment, physical health, education, and violence and criminal behaviour, from Jan 1, 1965, to Dec 17, 2012, and yielded 2274 records. Of the 165 full-text articles assessed for eligibility, we excluded a further 142, resulting in the inclusion of 23 published epidemiological studies that met the predetermined criteria. All studies were from southeast China. We assessed evidence of a causal association between exposure to e-waste and health outcomes within the Bradford Hill framework. Findings We recorded plausible outcomes associated with exposure to e-waste including change in thyroid function, changes in cellular expression and function, adverse neonatal outcomes, changes in temperament and behaviour, and decreased lung function. Boys aged 8–9 years living in an e-waste recycling town had a lower forced vital capacity than did those living in a control town. Significant negative correlations between blood chromium concentrations and forced vital capacity in children aged 11 and 13 years were also reported. Findings from most studies showed increases in spontaneous abortions, stillbirths, and premature births, and reduced birthweights and birth lengths associated with exposure to e-waste. People living in e-waste recycling towns or working in e-waste recycling had evidence of greater DNA damage than did those living in control towns. Studies of the effects of exposure to e-waste on thyroid function were not consistent. One study related exposure to e-waste and waste electrical and electronic equipment to educational outcomes. Interpretation Although data suggest that exposure to e-waste is harmful to health, more well designed epidemiological investigations in vulnerable populations, especially pregnant women and children, are needed to confirm these associations. Funding Children's Health and Environment Program, Queensland Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Australia.

Global Reuse and Optimal Waste Policy

Electronic waste generated from the consumption of durable goods in developed countries is often exported to underdeveloped countries for reuse, recycling and disposal with unfortunate environmental consequences. The lack of efficient disposal policies within developing nations coupled with global free trade agreements make it difficult for consumers to internalize these costs. This paper develops a two-country model, one economically developed and the other underdeveloped, to solve for optimal tax policies necessary to achieve the efficient allocation of economic resources in an economy with a durable good available for global reuse without policy measures in the underdeveloped country. A tax in the developed country on purchases of the new durable good combined with a waste tax set below the domestic external cost of disposal is sufficient for global efficiency. The implication of allowing free global trade in electronic waste is also examined, where optimal policy resembles a global deposit-refund system.

Texas electronics waste management: A policy analysis for the 21st century

Electronic waste is a fairly new and largely unknown phenomenon. Accordingly, governments have only recently acknowledged electronic waste as a threat to the environment and public health. In attempting to mitigate the hazards associated with this rapidly growing toxic waste stream, governments at all levels have started to implement e-waste management programs. The legislation enacted to create these programs is based on extended producer responsibility or EPR policy. ^ EPR shifts the burden of final disposal of e-waste from the consumer or municipal solid waste system to the manufacturer of electronic equipment. Applying an EPR policy is intended to send signals up the production chain to the manufacturer. The desired outcome is to change the methods of production in order to reduce production outputs/inputs with the ultimate goal of changing product design. This thesis performs a policy analysis of the current e-waste policies at the federal and state level of government, focusing specifically on Texas e-waste policies. ^ The Texas e-waste law known, as HB 2714 or the Texas Computer TakeBack Law, requires manufacturers to provide individual consumers with a free and convenient method for returning their used computers to manufacturers. The law is based on individual producer responsibility and shared responsibility among consumer, retailers, recyclers, and the TCEQ. ^ Using a set of evaluation criteria created by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Texas e-waste law was examined to determine its effectiveness at reducing the threat of e-waste in Texas. Based on the outcomes of the analysis certain recommendations were made for the legislature to incorporate into HB 2714. ^ The results of the policy analysis show that HB 2714 is a poorly constructed law and does not provide the desired results seen in other states with EPR policies. The TakeBack Law does little to change the collection methods of manufacturers and even less to change their production habits. If the e-waste problem is to be taken seriously, HB 2714 must be amended to reflect the proposed changes in this thesis.^

Emissions of Gases, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Brominated Pollutants during Thermal Degradation of Waste Printed Circuit Boards

Resumen del póster presentado en Symposium on Renewable Energy and Products from Biomass and Waste, CIUDEN (Cubillos de Sil, León, Spain), 12-13 May 2015

Enzymatically degradable EMI shielding materials derived from PCL based nanocomposites

In this study, two different types of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) namely pristine (p-MWNTs) and amine functionalized (a-MWNTs) were melt-mixed with polycaprolactone (PCL) to develop biodegradable electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials. The bulk electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites was assessed using broadband dielectric spectroscopy and the structural properties were evaluated using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). Both the electrical conductivity and the structural properties improved after the addition of MWNTs and were observed to be proportional to the increasing fractions in the nanocomposites. The shielding effectiveness of the nanocomposites was studied using a vector network analyzer (VNA) in a broad range of frequencies, X-band (8 to 12 GHz) and K-u-band (12 to 18 GHz) on toroidal samples. The shielding effectiveness significantly improved on addition of MWNTs, more in the case of p-MWNTs than in a-MWNTs. For instance, at a given fraction of MWNTs (3 wt%), PCL with p-MWNTs and a-MWNTs showed a shielding effectiveness of -32 dB and -29 dB, respectively. Moreover, it was observed that reflection was the primary mechanism of shielding at lower fractions of MWNTs, while absorption dominated at higher fractions in the composites. As one of the rationales of this work was to develop biodegradable EMI shielding materials to address the challenges concerning electronic waste, the effect of different MWNTs on the biodegradability of PCL composites was assessed through enzymatic degradation. The enzymatic degradation of the samples cut from the hot pressed films by bacterial lipase was investigated. It was noted that a-MWNTs exhibited almost similar degradation rate as the control PCL sample; however, p-MWNTs showed a slower degradation rate. This study demonstrates the potential use of PCL-MWNT composites as flexible, light weight and eco-friendly EMI shielding materials.

A conceptual framework for designing pharmaceutical reverse logistics networks in China

Over latest decade, Reverse Logistics (RL) has gained more and more attention from both industry and academia. In the past, most research on RL has been focused on automobile, electronic waste, computer, paper, package and package material. There is very little research and practice on drug recycling. Nevertheless, it is vital important to properly dispose expired drug because of hazardous contain which may harm to people and environment. In China, public awareness of the harmfulness of expired drugs is still very low and very few efforts have been made to recycle drugs. Therefore, this research aims to build up a conceptual framework to indentify factors of influencing drug recycling in China, from scratch borrowing from existing literature and industry practices in other recycling areas. This framework helps in designing reverse logistic (RL) network and also can provide a useful reference tool for policymakers at the local and national level. Furthermore, a primary research is planed to validate the framework and RL network.

" 3ème Prix du concours ""La recherche en environnement et son apport à la société"""

Sabaa A. Khan s'est méritée le 3ème prix du concours d'affiches intitulé « La recherche en environnement et son apport à la société » organisé dans le cadre du colloque. Elle a reçu une bourse d'étude de 100$. Le titre de son affiche : Electronic Waste Governance: Sustainable Solution to a Global Dilemma.