Chapter 14 - Chemical Hazards Associated With Treatment of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment

Abstract

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is a rapidly growing on a global scale. WEEE contains valuable materials that have an economic value when recycled. However, it also contains a variety of hazardous substances, such as toxic metals and organic compounds. The hazardous substances can be released into the environment and may cause adverse effects on the ecosystem and human health during the WEEE recycling activities. In past two decades, the majority of WEEE was recycled in the crude and unregulated sectors which resulted in severe environmental pollution and significant ecological risk to human health. During the recycling activities of dismantling, crushing, and incineration of WEEE, toxic metals including copper, mercury, lead, cadmium, chromium, and nickel, have been released into the environment. Persistent organic compounds including brominated flame retardants, polychlorinated biphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzo-furans, and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls have been released during the incineration process of WEEE. Toxic metals and persistent organic pollutants at concerning levels have been detected in WEEE recycling facilities and the surrounding environment, resulting in significant risk for toxic exposure for the recyclers and local residents. Skin contact, inhalation, ingestion, dietary intake, and take-home exposure are the main paths for exposure, and children, infants and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable. Exposure to these toxic substances can cause negative changes in thyroid function, cellular expression and function, neonatal outcomes, lung function, temperament and behavior in human health. This chapter will give a systematic overview of the typical hazardous substances in WEEE, the emissions and environmental pollution related to the recycling activities, and the exposure pathways with corresponding adverse health outcomes due to the exposure to the hazards.