title: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in surface soils from e-waste recycling areas and industrial areas in South China: concentration levels, congener profile, and inventory.
abstract: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were determined in 60 surface soils from two e-waste recycling sites (Qingyuan and Guiyu, China) and their surrounding areas to assess the extent and influence of PBDEs from e-waste recycling sites on the surrounding areas. A total of 32 surface soils from industrial areas in South China were also investigated for comparison. The mean concentrations of total PBDEs in the e-waste recycling sites of Guiyu and Qingyuan were 2,909 and 3,230 ng/g dry weight, respectively, whereas the PBDE concentrations decreased dramatically (1-2 orders of magnitude) with increasing distance from the recycling site, suggesting that the e-waste recycling activities were the major source of PBDEs in the surrounding areas. Decabromodiphenyl ethers accounted for 77.0 to 85.8% of total PBDEs in e-waste recycling areas, whereas it accounted for 90.2% in industrial areas. Principal component analysis showed that the major source of PBDEs in e-waste recycling areas were a combination of penta-, octa-, and deca-BDE commercial formulations, whereas deca-BDE commercial formulations were the major source of PBDE congeners in industrial areas. The inventories of PBDEs gave preliminary estimates of 6.22 tons and 13.4 tons for the e-waste recycling areas and industrial areas. The results suggested that significantly higher PBDEs in the e-waste recycling sites have already affected surrounding areas negatively within a relatively large distance. Because of the environmental persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity of PBDEs, improving the recycling techniques employed at such facilities and developing e-waste management policies are necessary.
authors: State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, [corrected] Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
authors: Shutao
authors: S
authors: Gao
authors: Jianwen
authors: J
authors: Hong
authors: Zhiqiang
authors: Z
authors: Yu
authors: Jingzhi
authors: J
authors: Wang
authors: Guoyi
authors: G
authors: Yang
authors: Guoying
authors: G
authors: Sheng
authors: Jiamo
authors: J
authors: Fu
mesh_terms: D002681:China; D059029:Electronic Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D007221:Industry; D059027:Recycling; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D018505:Waste Management
chemical_list: D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; C086401:pentabromodiphenyl ether; C010902:decabromobiphenyl ether