E-waste Dumping Research Articles

16S rRNA molecular profiling of heavy metal tolerant bacterial communities isolated from soil contaminated by electronic waste.

Electronic waste is an evolving source of harmful pollutants in our surrounding environments and considered to be perilous as it contains toxic metals such as chromium, cadmium, lead, mercury, zinc, and nickel in huge quantities. Heavy metals are harmful contaminants and accumulated in the environment due to various anthropogenic activities. The present study was conducted to isolate and characterize different heavy metal tolerant bacterial species, based on molecular techniques from soil contaminated by electronic waste. The contaminated soil samples were analyzed for various physicochemical properties such as pH, electrical conductivity, soil moisture, water holding capacity, organic carbon, organic matter, available phosphorus, total nitrogen, and potassium using standard procedures. The soil samples were found to contain a higher amount of different heavy metals such as copper, chromium, lead, iron, cadmium, and nickel. Serial dilution and spread plate techniques have been used for bacterial isolation. The identification and molecular characterization of isolated bacterial species were done by biochemical tests and 16S rRNA gene sequencing technique. The 16S rRNA sequencing analysis confirmed the presence of different bacterial species as, Micrococcus aloeverae, Kocuria turfanensis, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus jeotgali, Bacillus velezensis, and Bacillus haikouensis. The findings indicated that the e-waste dumping sites are the storehouse of elite bacterial species. The present research study offers a platform for systematic analysis of e-waste sites by microbial profiling that may help in the innovation of novel microorganisms of scientific importance and better biotechnological potential.

Multivariate and statistical approaches for the evaluation of heavy metals pollution at e-waste dumping sites

Electronic waste pollution is a growing concern due to its hazardous effects on the environment and human health. Among many contaminants from e-waste, excessive levels of heavy metals in soil, which are far beyond the permissible limit, have led to many research studies at e-waste dumping sites majorly in the developing nations like India and China. The present study was conducted to assess the effect of e-waste dumping on the soil profile; therefore, the soil quality was analyzed for various physicochemical and heavy metals characteristics. The concentration of heavy metals in the soil samples was determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer. Soil samples were found to contain a higher amount of different heavy metals like copper, zinc, nickel, lead, manganese, chromium, cadmium, and iron. Correlation and principal component analysis were performed to establish a better insight into the degradation of soil quality. The contamination factor and pollution load index were evaluated statistically to assess the heavy metal pollution. The significant difference among the soil quality parameters inferred the hazardous impact of e-waste on the soil profile, and the pollution load index indicated that the sites are highly polluted with heavy metals. The present study contributes to a deeper understanding of the heavy metal contamination at e-waste dumping sites.

Bacterial community structure in soils contaminated with electronic waste pollutants from Delhi NCR, India

Abstract Background Microbial community analysis of electronic waste (e-waste)-polluted environments is of interest to understand the effect of toxic e-waste pollutants on the soil microbial community and to evaluate novel microorganisms resisting the toxic environment. The present study aims to investigate the bacterial community structure in soils contaminated with e-waste from various sites of Loni and Mandoli (National Capital Region (NCR), India) where e-waste dumping and recycling activities are being carried out for many years. Results Interferences to soil metagenomic DNA extraction and PCR amplification were observed because of the presence of inhibiting components derived from circuit boards. Whole-metagenome sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq platform showed that the most abundant phyla were Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. Deltaproteobacteria and Betaproteobacteria were the most common classes under Proteobacteria. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene showed that e-waste contamination altered the soil bacterial composition and diversity. There was a decrease in the number of predominant bacterial groups like Proteobacteria and Firmicutes but emergence of Actinobacteria in the contaminated soil samples. Conclusions This is the first report describing the bacterial community structure of composite soil samples of e-waste-contaminated sites of Loni and Mandoli, Delhi NCR, India. The findings indicate that novel bacteria with potential bioremediating properties may be present in the e-waste-contaminated sites and hence need to be evaluated further. How to cite: Salam M, Varma A. Bacterial community structure in soils contaminated with electronic waste pollutants from Delhi NCR, India. Electron J Biotechnol 2019;41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejbt.2019.07.003 .

Rare earth elements: A review of applications, occurrence, exploration, analysis, recycling, and environmental impact

Rare earth elements (REE) include the lanthanide series elements (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu) plus Sc and Y. Currently these metals have become very critical to several modern technologies ranging from cell phones and televisions to LED light bulbs and wind turbines. This article summarizes the occurrence of these metals in the Earth's crust, their mineralogy, different types of deposits both on land and oceans from the standpoint of the new data with more examples from the Indian subcontinent. In addition to their utility to understand the formation of the major Earth reservoirs, multi-faceted updates on the applications of REE in agriculture and medicine including new emerging ones are presented. Environmental hazards including human health issues due to REE mining and large-scale dumping of e-waste containing significant concentrations of REE are summarized. New strategies for the future supply of REE including recent developments in the extraction of REE from coal fired ash and recycling from e-waste are presented. Recent developments in individual REE separation technologies in both metallurgical and recycling operations have been highlighted. An outline of the analytical methods for their precise and accurate determinations required in all these studies, such as, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), glow discharge mass spectrometry (GD-MS), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (including ICP-MS, ICP-TOF-MS, HR-ICP-MS with laser ablation as well as solution nebulization) and other instrumental techniques, in different types of materials are presented.

Heavy metal accumulation in frogs surrounding an e-waste dump site and human health risk assessment

This study was performed heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, and Pb) in water, soil and frogs around an electronic-waste dump site. The bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) of heavy metals in three frog species and potential human health risks were assessed. Heavy metals were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. The Cd and Pb concentrations in water samples and As and Pb concentrations in soil samples from within the e-waste dump site exceeded the standards. The heavy metal concentrations in the muscles of three frog species were as follows: Cr > Pb > As > Cd, and there were no significant differences among frog species except in the case of Pb (p < 0.05). Only the Cr concentrations exceeded the food quality standards. The relative order of the BAFs for heavy metals in frogs as a result of uptake from the water and soil was Cr > As > Pb > Cd and Cr > As > Cd > Pb, respectively, which indicated that the uptake from water was greater than that from the soil. The assessment of the health risk index and carcinogenic risk (CR) indicated potential human health effects from As, Cr, and Pb via the consumption of frogs.

Determinants of Residents’ E-Waste Recycling Behavioral Intention: A Case Study from Vietnam

An enormous volume of electronic waste (e-waste) is currently being generated in Vietnam, threatening to render this country as an e-waste dumping region. Although the residents play an indispensable role in the e-waste management system, there is presently no or very limited studies available which involve public perceptions on the e-waste recycling in Vietnam. In this study, based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), the structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to examine the key factors influencing e-waste recycling behavioral intention of residents in Danang city, Vietnam. Data analyzed from 520 questionnaires revealed that environmental awareness and attitude toward recycling, social pressure, laws and regulations, cost of recycling, and inconvenience of recycling significantly directly affected residents’ behavioral intention, with laws and regulations being the strongest construct significantly to predict individuals’ intention. Of the five above-listed constructs, only inconvenience of recycling had a negative impact on residents’ recycling behavioral intention. Moreover, past experience showed the statistically significant negative effect on the inconvenience of recycling while it had no significant impact on behavioral intention. The influences of demographic variables on recycling behavioral intention were also discussed in this paper. The findings from this research may help policy-makers have a better understanding of residents’ e-waste recycling intention. That is very useful in paving the way for a successful e-waste recycling and management system not only in Vietnam, but also in other countries which are suffering from the same problems of e-waste.

Electronic Waste Governance under "One Country, Two Systems": Hong Kong and Mainland China.

China is one of the largest e-waste dumping sites in the world, and Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous territory in China, is also affected by illegal e-waste disposal and transfer. While the Chinese government implemented a waste import ban in January 2018, Hong Kong has not enforced Chinese policies under the “One Country, Two Systems” framework. Drawing on a policy network approach, this paper provides an explanatory framework for e-waste governance in Hong Kong and China, and identifies the major obstacles to shaping effective transboundary e-waste control and prevention. The paper argues that institutional arrangements play a dominant role in governing e-waste policy networks at the local level of governance in Hong Kong and China; however, a lack of accountability and capacity at the transboundary level can explain the different waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) management strategies in these two places.

Evaluation of the Heavy Metals Composition of Soil at E-waste Dumping Sites

Evaluation of the Heavy Metals Composition of Soil at E-waste Dumping Sites

Rice Husk for the Removal of Heavy Metals from Polluted Soils at Agbogbloshie E-Waste Dump Site in Accra Ghana

Rice Husk for the Removal of Heavy Metals from Polluted Soils at Agbogbloshie E-Waste Dump Site in Accra Ghana

Heavy Metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Soil from E-waste Dumpsites in Lagos and Ibadan, Nigeria.

Background.Soil contamination from heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) released during informal e-waste processing and disposal poses human and ecological health risks in Nigeria.Objectives.This study assesses the levels of heavy metals and PAHs in soils of e-waste dumpsites in Lagos and Ibadan, Nigeria.Methods.Composite soil samples were collected at depths of 0–15 cm, 15–30 cm and 30–45 cm from major e-waste dumpsites in Lagos and Ibadan and analyzed for lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr) and PAHs to evaluate the potential contaminant contribution from e-waste activities. Control samples were collected at the Botanical Garden, University of Ibadan. Samples were analyzed for heavy metals after acid digestion using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, while PAHs were extracted using cold solvent extraction and quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Blank determination and recovery studies were carried out for each metal. Contamination and ecological risks were assessed using soil contamination indices such as contamination factor, geo-accumulation and pollution load indices, and potential ecological risk index to categorize contaminant concentrations and associated impacts. Soil physico-chemical characteristics such as pH and total organic matter were also determined.Results.Metals concentrations in the dumpsite soils ranged from 114–2,840 mg/kg and not detectable - 6.50 mg/kg for Pb and Cd, and 42.8–5,390 mg/kg, 27.5–3,420 mg/kg, 11.0–128 mg/kg and 94.0–325 mg/kg for Cu, Zn, Ni and Cr, respectively. Serious metals accumulation was observed at every e-waste dumpsite, as shown by the pollution load index. The potential ecological risk values were between 584 and 10,402 at all of the dumpsites, signifying very high ecological risk. The total PAHs ranged from 1,756–2,224 μg/kg at the 0–15 cm level, 1,664–2,152 μg/kg at 15–30 cm and 278 μg/kg in the top- and sub-soil of the control site.Discussion.The total PAHs in the soil of e-waste dumpsites was significantly higher than in the control soil.Conclusions.The results of this study indicate that indiscriminate dumping and open burning of e-waste are potential sources of PAH and toxic metal emissions, which can pose serious human health and ecological risks.

Extended Producer Responsibility for waste televisions and computers: A regulatory evaluation of the Australian experience

High annual volumes of television and computer waste presents a challenge to Australian communities, resulting in the development of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation. This study aims to establish, through the use of public interest theory, whether EPR legislation in Australia was in the public interest. Using a regulatory analysis, the results show that during the first 3 years of the scheme, over 130 liable parties joined co-regulatory arrangements each year to fund upstream recycling services for television and computer waste. In program terms, the scheme has been highly successful recycling over 130,000 tonnes of metals, leaded and non-leaded glass, plastics and other materials while limiting landfill transfers to approximately 6900 tonnes, all at a cost of A$50–60 million per annum to producers. The scheme has also seen a range of upstream recycling partnerships established between the co-regulated administrators and formal technical and social enterprise waste management organizations. However, while the upstream material recovery rate is steady at approximately 95%, the results suggests that exporting waste for downstream processing will continue in the future. Analysis also points to substantial funding for ‘over target’ collections, downstream recycling infrastructure and landfill diversion strategies as critical for averting severe environmental impacts from e-Waste dumping. The study concludes by suggesting that while the successes of EPR scheme are in the public interest, its potential deficiencies could limit such benefits and therefore need to be addressed. Notably, the scheme could be enhanced through the application of improved recycling target methodologies, including the estimation and forecasting of domestic Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) stock levels.

Spatial distribution and implications to sources of halogenated flame retardants in riverine sediments of Taizhou, an intense e-waste recycling area in eastern China

Concentrations and spatial distribution pattern of organohalogen flame retardants were investigated in the riverine surface sediments from Taizhou, an intensive e-waste recycling region in China. The analytes were syn- and anti- Dechlorane Plus (DP), Dechloranes 602, 603, and 604, a DP monoadduct, two dechlorinated DPs and 8 congeners of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The concentrations of Σ8PBDEs, ΣDP, ΣDec600s, and ΣDP-degradates ranged from <100 to 172,000, 100 to 55,000, not detectable (nd) to 1600, and nd to 2800 pg/g dry weight, respectively. BDE-209 and DP, both have been manufactured in China, had similar spatial distribution patterns in the study area, featured by distinctly recognizable hotspots some of which are in proximity to known e-waste dumping or metal recycling facilities. Such patterns were largely shared by Dec602 and dechlorinated DP, although their concentration levels were much lower. These major flame retardants significantly correlate with each other, and cluster together in the loading plot of principle component analysis. In contrast, most non-deca PBDE congeners do not correlate with DPs. Dec604 stood out having distinctly different spatial distribution pattern, which could be linked to historical use of mirex. Organic matter content of the sediment was not the dominant factor in determining the spatial pattern of pollution by halogenated flame retardants in the rivers of this study.

LAW ENFORCEMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC WASTE SMUGGLING IN BATAM, INDONESIA

Electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) are dangerous for human health and environment. The e-waste may comes from both external (import) and domestic industries. Batam as part of Indonesia jurisdiction have been a place of e-waste dumping. The e-waste mostly comes from Singapore. The rest is from Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The influx of electronic waste is done through smuggling at certain place. Police actually knows about the smuggling but not take any action. This crimes was backed up by any army and police. It reflects the ineffectiveness of law enforcement in Batam regarding e-waste smuggling. The ignorance causes the environment and human health is not well protected. Lack of understanding of legal knowledge by law enforcement agencies should be a particular concern for the government. On the other hand, for the people of Batam, e-waste still have economic value. Therefore, they don’t care about the menace of e-waste to human health and environment. The government should develop them in order to manage e-waste properly. The government may refer to the Government of India's Bangalore city with regard to how the people manage e-waste.

Biosorption of lead by Bacillus licheniformis isolated from E-waste landfill, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

Soil, the basic resource for the life on earth is getting polluted because of the release of different contaminants into it. So, the reduction of soil pollution is the main thrust of most researchers. The contaminants include different components released from different industries and the waste is getting accumulated in the soil because of improper processing. Electronic waste is the most up growing waste in the world. As the electronic industries are progressing the waste that is produced after the usage of the products is also increasing day by day. As a result, the heavy metals which are the main components in electronic goods leach and accumulate in the soil because of informal processing procedures. Poisonous substances such as lead, tin, mercury, cadmium and barium which are the constituents of the electronic goods get discharged into the environment and cause serious health and pollution problems if the electronic waste is not processed properly. The present study focuses on biosorption of lead, an important component of many electronic goods by Bacillus licheniformis isolated from E-waste dump yard soil in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. The adsorption studies were carried out using Atomic adsorption spectrophotometer. The adsorption capability of Bacillus licheniformis with different metal concentrations ranging from 10ppm to 25ppm was analyzed and it was observed that the bacteria could reduce 74.94% of 10ppm, 78.9% of 15ppm, 83% of 20ppm and 89.39% of 25ppm lead from the medium. Temperature has a prominent role in metal adsorption by bacteria. At 310C and 370C the adsorption was high. The % of metal adsorbed at 160C was 30.56%, at 310C (Room Temperature) was 56.54 % at 370C was 58.79% and at 60 0C it was 36.31%. The present study is proposed to explore bacteria for the determination of their tolerance capacity in and around the areas of Hyderabad where heavy metal ions are leached and observe for their biotransformation capabilities.

Where Technology Goes to Die: Representations of Electronic Waste in Global Television News

ABSTRACTThis article analyzes how electronic waste (e-waste) gets represented in television news stories. The main objective is to present a perspective on how a “low-frequency” emergency (i.e. a lengthy and ongoing state of environmental emergency) is presented as a newsworthy issue. Drawing on literature on televised “distant suffering,” the article engages in a multimodal text analysis of four news stories about e-waste. The findings show how on-location reports from e-waste dumping sites make use of sublime imagery in the visual representations; how e-waste dumping sites are presented as strange spaces, with no clear and comprehensible history; and finally, that the representations suggest an ambivalence and uncertainty when it comes to agency (who is responsible and what can be done?). The article ends with a discussion of the implications of this mode of representation and its effectiveness in eliciting an appropriate response to the harms caused by e-waste.

A Practical Application of TrimCloud

The current educational technologies in developing countries are not always successfully implemented and utilized due to infrastructure limitations, such as limited resources, limited training in educational technologies, and the unrealized potential usefulness of these technologies. Using an effective and relevant educational technology will efficiently maximize the use of the limited resources available to schools in developing countries in order to provide a larger outreach and increase access to up-to-date information and useful electronic resources. Thus, the authors propose TrimCloud as an alternative educational technology to help rebuild the education system and encourage innovation and development in developing countries. TrimCloud is an open-source virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) that is offered as a software-as-a-service (SaaS) and a desktop-as-a-service (DaaS). In this paper, the authors examine possible solutions to issues plaguing the educational environment in developing countries by using TrimCloud at the primary, secondary, university/higher education, and administration levels. They propose the use of refurbished legacy systems as the alternative hardware source for using TrimCloud as an educational technology, which will also aid to alleviate the “e-waste dump” problem. Lastly, the authors explore further network enhancements to TrimCloud that will provide a reliable and robust option for developing countries.

Status of Prostate Specific Antigen and Alpha Fetoprotein in Nigerian E-Waste Workers: A Cancer Risk Predictive Study

Nigeria is reported as the largest electronic waste (e-waste) dump yard in Africa; and to date, Nigeria’s e-waste management practices remain completely primitive. It was recently documented that the majority (88.8%) of Nigerian e-waste workers (with exposure burden of ≥ 6 hours per day; ≥ 6 days per week) worked without personal protective devices inspite of the volume of toxic substances, some of which are known carcinogens, documented to be found in e-waste. The present study aimed to evaluate the status of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) and Alpha Fetoprotein (AFP) as cancer risk biomarkers in Nigerians occupationally exposed to waste electrical and electronic equipment (also known as e-waste) in Benin City, Nigeria. Serum levels of PSA and AFP were determined in Nigerian e-waste workers (n=63) and in age-matched non-exposed participants (n=41), using Enzyme linked Immunosorbent Assay. It was observed that PSA and AFP levels in e-waste workers (12.62 ± 6.0 ng/ml; 3.56 ± 0.34 ng/ml) were significantly elevated compared with the non-exposed group (2.14 ± 0.38 ng/ml; 2.14 ± 0.80 ng/ml), (P=0.000 and P<0.045) respectively. In addition, 26% of e-waste workers compared with 11% of non-exposed participants registered higher than the reference range of PSA (0-4.0 ng/ml) used for healthy subjects. This study concludes that the significantly elevated cancer risk biomarkers (PSA and AFP) observed in the studied population of Nigerian e-waste workers may be associated with occupational exposure to known carcinogens in e-waste.

The '419 Scam': An Unacceptable 'Power of the False'?

One of the more virulent manifestations of a burgeoning virtual world is the very physical waste that underwrites its proliferation. Illegal e-waste dumping in Western Africa not only wreaks havoc on the ecosystems of its destination countries, but also bolsters the arsenal of the "419 scammers" and 'data miners,' in turn. As the pernicious nature of such online fraud is protested by Western media, and the global economic inequalities that foster such deception is conveniently ignored, the material vestiges of Western privilege are unwittingly recycled into the war machines of the '419 scam.' Wilfully blind to the global conditions that perpetuate the fraud, '419'" vigilantes or 'scambaiters' take it upon themselves to hunt the scammers as a way of 'turning the tables' on their operations. An online sport steeped in colonial tradition, the redoubtable scambaiters proudly display their "trophy" catches on online forums such 419eater.com and 419baiter.com. In contradistinction to the issues of morality that pervade the commentary on methods of the 419 scammers and scambaiters alike, this paper will focus instead, on the multiple creative possibilities, that are actualised by these encounters. It is argued, that such exchanges, even in their current lamentable state, at least facilitate unforeseen connections between parts of the world that had never once spoken at all. That the successful facilitation of these scams, whether on the part of scammer or scambaiter, require a level of research into their respective subjects, that brings Africa and the West into an unprecedented 'intimacy,' Even if the outcomes are ultimately antagonistic, and the relations produced "false" ones, this paper asks whether they might be identified as the nascent stages of a more productive 'powers of the false.' to make use of a concept by philosopher, Gilles Deleuze. That the forgery and fantasy used to negotiate the scams might actually have the effect of furthering conversation about the global iniquity that inspire them in the first place.

Abstract A06: Electronic waste in Nigeria: potential for genotoxicity and metalloid induced carcinogenesis

Abstract Background: Used and discarded electronic items from developed countries often end up in developing countries. If still functional, they are traded as second-hand goods. But, with a diminished lifespan, they rapidly transit into unusable electronic waste (e-waste). The majority of these countries have no regulations for the disposal or recycling of e-waste. Consequently, the environmental hazard of e-waste is exacerbated by crude recycling methods: primarily as a source of livelihood, poor city dwellers scavenge and trade plastic and metal components from e-waste dump. The remainders are burnt in the open spewing toxic fumes into the atmosphere. Leachates from e-waste dumps percolate into the groundwater, may bio-accumulate on entering the food chain with potentials for toxic exposure. Globally, e-wastes pose a major public health-threat primarily to the populations of developing countries, their genomic integrity, and long-term health. Methods: Using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) we determined the presence of Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr), Lead (Pb), Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn) and Copper (Cu) in e-waste contaminated soil, e-waste ashes and water leachate from a dumpsite in Lagos, Nigeria, compared to soil sample 1000 meter away. We also assessed the effect of e-waste leachates on E. coli PQ-37 genomic integrity by the SOS inducing potency (SOSIP). E. coli PQ-37 was exposed to the samples and 4-Nitro-quinoline-oxide (4NQO) (positive control). Colorimetric changes were measured by spectrophotometry at 630nm (genotoxicity) and 450nm (viability). Results and Discussion: The detected heavy metals (ranges; Cd: 4 -18; Ni:12-26; Cr:4- 26; Pb:3-46; Fe:3489 – 8080; Zn:8-280; and Cu:1250–6700 μg/L) in test samples evaluated (p&amp;lt;0.05) compared to soil sample 1000m away (Cd, Ni, Cr and Pb &amp;lt;1μg/L), and (Fe: 254μg/L, Zn:8μg/L and Cu:10μg/L). In all samples, Fe (8080 μg/L) was highest. In excess quantity, heavy metals have been implicated in disease state: Cd, Ni and Cr (carcinogenic cell transformation), Cu (liver diseases), Fe (Parkinson) and Zn (anti-nutrient with Cu, and reduced immune function). Viability of E. coli PQ37 cultures was above 90%, E. coli deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage increased proportionally to a two fold increase in e-waste concentration (ranges; 0.16 - 10μg/mL) it was exposed to. Taken together our results indicate the presence of significant source of mutagenic agents from inadequately processed e-waste in the Nigerian environment. This threatens the genomic stability of both people and the biosphere, which has adverse implications for public and ecological health. Ongoing measurements are focusing on the presence of other toxic and carcinogenic products from e-waste such as dioxins, polybrominated flame-retardants and phthalate esters. In addition, it is necessary to foster public enlightenment, regulation and the safe disposal of e-waste in susceptible communities. Citation Format: Solomon E. Owumi, Michael A. Gbadegesin, Ferdnand C. Osuagwu, Eberechukwu Onuchukwu, Bolaji Ayoola, Oyeronke A. Odunola, Anthony O. Uwaifo. Electronic waste in Nigeria: potential for genotoxicity and metalloid induced carcinogenesis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2013 Oct 27-30; National Harbor, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Can Prev Res 2013;6(11 Suppl): Abstract nr A06.

Heavy metals and organic compounds contamination in soil from an e-waste region in South China

Heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were analyzed in 34 surface soil samples collected from farmland and 7 soil or dust samples collected from the workshops in South China, where e-waste was dismantled using primitive techniques. The results show that Cd, Cu and Hg were the most abundant metals, in particular Cd pollution was serious in farmland soils, and the median concentrations in farmland soils were beyond the environmental quality standard for soils (China Grade II). A correlation between Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb and PCBs or PBDEs was significant indicating similar sources. Among the PCB congeners, high relative similarity was observed between the e-waste dump site soil (EW1) and Aroclor 1254, implying that the technical product Aroclor 1254 was one of the major sources of PCB contamination. High concentrations of PCBs in workshop dusts (D2 and D3) (1958 and 1675 μg kg(-1)) demonstrated that the workshops dismantling electrical wires and cables, electrical motors, compressors and aluminum apparatus containing PCBs in lubricants represent strong PCB emission sources to this area. Principal component analysis (PCA) and PBDE homologue patterns verify that farmland soils surrounding the e-waste recycling sites were enriched with lower brominated congeners, and the major source of PBDEs in dust samples might potentially be associated with the extensive use of deca-mix technical products as a flame retardant. The difference between e-waste soils, dusts and farmland soils can be observed in the PCA score plot of PCBs and PBDEs, and E-waste soils and dusts exhibited more diversity than farmland soils. Furthermore, a prediction of the particular kinds of pollution from different recycling activities through the analysis of each contamination and the connections between them was investigated.