Contamination by trace elements at e-waste recycling sites in Bangalore, India.
The recycling and disposal of electronic waste (e-waste) in developing countries is causing an increasing concern due to its effects on the environment and associated human health risks. To understand the contamination status, we measured trace elements (TEs) in soil, air dust, and human hair collected from e-waste recycling sites (a recycling facility and backyard recycling units) and the reference sites in Bangalore and Chennai in India. Concentrations of Cu, Zn, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Hg, Pb, and Bi were higher in soil from e-waste recycling sites compared to reference sites. For Cu, Sb, Hg, and Pb in some soils from e-waste sites, the levels exceeded screening values proposed by US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Concentrations of Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, In, Sn, Sb, Tl, Pb and Bi in air from the e-waste recycling facility were relatively higher than the levels in Chennai city. High levels of Cu, Mo, Ag, Cd, In, Sb, Tl, and Pb were observed in hair of male workers from e-waste recycling sites. Our results suggest that e-waste recycling and its disposal may lead to the environmental and human contamination by some TEs. To our knowledge, this is the first study on TE contamination at e-waste recycling sites in Bangalore, India.
Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan.
Nguyen Ngoc
NN
Ha
Tetsuro
T
Agusa
Karri
K
Ramu
Nguyen Phuc Cam
NP
Tu
Satoko
S
Murata
Keshav A
KA
Bulbule
Peethmbaram
P
Parthasaraty
Shin
S
Takahashi
Annamalai
A
Subramanian
Shinsuke
S
Tanabe
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004581:Electronics; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007220:Industrial Waste; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry
D000393:Air Pollutants; D007220:Industrial Waste; D008670:Metals; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014131:Trace Elements