The health risk attenuation by simultaneous elimination of atmospheric VOCs and POPs from an e-waste dismantling workshop by an integrated de-dusting with decontamination technique

Abstract

This study investigated the simultaneous abatement of atmospheric volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), using an integrated technique with a bag filter (BF), photocatalysis (PC) and biotrickling filter (BTF) in an electronic waste (e-waste) dismantling workshop. Approximately 3.6×105, 1.1×103, and 2.5×103ngm−3 of VOCs, PAHs, and PBDEs, respectively, were emitted from domestic stoves during a television dismantling process. During 30-day continuous treatment period, the treatment techniques eliminated 83.7%, 87.2% and 94.1% of VOCs, PAHs and PBDEs, respectively. Among three technologies, PC was responsible for the removal of 78.0% of VOCs and 72.3% of PAHs, while the BF technology removed 85.5% of PBDEs. The success assembling of different technologies depended on different gas-particle distributions of PAHs and PBDEs. Meanwhile, the decreased risk indices of all pollutants were also observed. The PC and BF treatment technologies reduced the cancer risks associated with the most VOCs and PBDEs (57.6% and 80.5%, respectively). The BF technology reduced risks from PAHs the most (86.1%), because of much higher toxic equivalency factors associated with particle-related-PAHs. After BTF treatment, the residual organic pollutants were further biodegraded and completely detoxified. This study indicated that the integrated technique, involving both excellent de-dusting and decontamination capabilities, may provide an efficient alternative to current environment purification and human health protection practices.