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Bioaccessibility and health risk of heavy metals in ash from the incineration of different e-waste residues

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Abstract

Ash from incinerated e-waste dismantling residues (EDR) may cause significant health risks to people through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact exposure pathways. Ashes of four classified e-waste types generated by an incineration plant in Zhejiang, China were collected. Total contents and the bioaccessibilities of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in ashes were measured to provide crucial information to evaluate the health risks for incinerator workers and children living in vicinity. Compared to raw e-waste in mixture, ash was metal-enriched by category incinerated. However, the physiologically based extraction test (PBET) indicates the bioaccessibilities of Ni, Pb, and Zn were less than 50 %. Obviously, bioaccessibilities need to be considered in noncancer risk estimate. Total and PBET-extractable contents of metal, except for Pb, were significantly correlated with the pH of the ash. Noncancer risks of ash from different incinerator parts decreased in the order bag filter ash (BFA) > cyclone separator ash (CFA) > bottom ash (BA). The hazard quotient for exposure to ash were decreased as ingestion > dermal contact > inhalation. Pb in ingested ash dominated (>80 %) noncancer risks, and children had high chronic risks from Pb (hazard index >10). Carcinogenic risks from exposure to ash were under the acceptable level (<10−6) both for children and workers. Exposure to ash increased workers’ cancer risks and children’s noncancer risks. Given the risk estimate is complex including toxicity/bioaccessibility of metals, the ways of exposure, and many uncertainties, further researches are required before any definite decisions on mitigating health risks caused by exposure to EDR incinerated ash are made.

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Abbreviations

EDR:

E-waste dismantling residues

MSW:

Municipal solid waste

BA:

Bottom ash

CFA:

Cyclone separator ash

BFA:

Bag filter ash

PBET:

Physiologically based extraction test

GP:

Gastric phase

IP:

Intestine phase

HI:

Hazard index

HQ:

Hazard quotient

CR:

Carcinogenic risk

1 raw e-waste type test (T1):

Scrap consumer electronic products

2 raw e-waste type test (T2):

Scrap cables

3 raw e-waste type test (T3):

Scrap electrical motors

4 raw e-waste type test (T4):

Scrap metal appliances

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Recycling, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, 310012, People’s Republic of China

    Xiao-Qing Tao, Dong-Sheng Shen, Jia-Li Shentu, Yu-Yang Long, Yi-Jian Feng & Chen-Chao Shen

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  1. Xiao-Qing Tao
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  2. Dong-Sheng Shen
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  3. Jia-Li Shentu
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  4. Yu-Yang Long
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  5. Yi-Jian Feng
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  6. Chen-Chao Shen
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Correspondence to Jia-Li Shentu.

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Responsible editor: Stuart Simpson

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Tao, XQ., Shen, DS., Shentu, JL. et al. Bioaccessibility and health risk of heavy metals in ash from the incineration of different e-waste residues. Environ Sci Pollut Res 22, 3558–3569 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3562-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3562-8

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