Abstract
Concerns about the adverse consequences of informal electronic waste (e-waste) recycling is increasing, because e-waste contains some hazardous substances such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) which is used as flame retardants in electronics. There is dearth of information on the concentrations of PBDEs and the pattern of distribution at the various e-waste recycling sites in Nigeria. This study therefore measured the concentrations of 13 PBDE congeners, in top soils (0–10 cm) and in various dust samples from different e-waste recycling sites (burning, dismantling, repair). PBDE concentrations at e-waste sites were compared with the concentrations in samples from corresponding control sites in three study locations in Nigeria (Lagos, Ibadan, and Aba). There were significant differences in the level of PBDEs congeners between each of the e-waste recycling sites and the corresponding control sites. The levels of PBDEs at the e-waste recycling sites exceeded the levels at the controls sites by a factor of 100 s to 1000 s. In general, PBDE concentrations at the e-waste sites decreased with the intensity of the e-waste recycling activities: burning sites > dismantling sites > repair sites > control sites. Our results suggest that the informal e-waste recycling has negative impacts on the enviroment and human health.
Highlights
Across the globe, electronic or electrical devices have become indispensable in our daily lives and the use of electronic electrical device is growing at great speed
To understand variabilities in the mean concentration distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the environmental samples, we evaluated the differences in the mean concentrations of the individual PBDE congeners and the sum of the PBDE congeners (∑13 PBDE) by running a series of one-way
China is known for its notorious intensive unregulated crude e-waste recycling activities. This shows that maybe more notorious e-waste recycling activity maybe going on somewhere in Nigeria, which are yet to be reported. These findings further show that the PBDE concentrations in urban cities in Nigeria are still high and call for concern
Summary
Electronic or electrical devices have become indispensable in our daily lives and the use of electronic electrical device is growing at great speed. It is characterized by an increasing number of users and rapid technological advances driven by efficiency, social and economic development. Most of these devices are disposed even before they become dysfunctional so as to make space for newer devices with better specifications/functions. Exponentially growing demand for electronic equipment has led to a rapid increase in the rate of electronic waste (e-waste) generated. Public Health 2019, 16, 360; doi:10.3390/ijerph16030360 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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