Atmospheric deposition of polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the vicinity of shredding facilities in Wallonia (Belgium)

Abstract

In Belgium, 16 shredding facilities manage annually tens of thousands tons of wastes from different origins (endof-life vehicles, electronic waste, electrical transformers, …). These materials contain hazardous persistent organic pollutants such as polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The shredding process promotes the production and the emission of dust contaminated by these compounds. The objective of this study is to measure the concentrations of PCDD/ Fs, PCBs and PBDEs in fallout dust collected in the vicinity of 3 shredding plants located in Wallonia (French speaking part of Belgium). Samples were collected by using Owen gauges and pollutant levels were measured by GC-MS. The median deposition levels measured for ∑ PCDD/Fs, ∑ dioxin-like PCBs, 5 × ∑ 6 DIN PCBs and PBDE 209 were 1.9 pg TEQ/m 2 .day, 4.4 pg TEQ/m 2 .day, 246.5 ng/m 2 .day and 253.8 ng/m 2 .day, respectively. These levels represent high concentrations compared to those observed in most of the remote, rural and urban areas studied around the world and were similar to those measured in other heavily industrialized districts. Consequently, the health effects of this high exposure to pollutants among workers and residents in the vicinity of these shredding facilities are of concern.

Acceptance of ELV Management: The Role of Social Influence, Knowledge, Attitude, Institutional Trust, and Health Issues

“…The significance of implementing effective ELV management is to create a healthy environment and improve the automotive industry, which is not always accepted. In developing countries such as Indonesia, where most people prefer to use older or pre-owned ELV is one of the most common household hazardous wastes [3][4][5]. ELV is considered dangerous because it can pollute the environment if not properly managed [6][7][8][9].…”

“…This shows that Indonesia has the highest automotive industry level in ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations). ELV is one of the most common household hazardous wastes [3][4][5]. ELV is considered dangerous because it can pollute the environment if not properly managed [6][7][8][9].…”

Human Biomonitoring Data Enables Evidence-Informed Policy to Reduce Internal Exposure to Persistent Organic Compounds: A Case Study

“…These activities and accidental fires at the metal recycling plan are possibly contributing to PCDD/F and PCB 126 depositions. High deposition levels of PCDD/Fs and PCBs have also been reported near other metal recycling plants in Belgium [ 54 ]. In Germany in 2010, six marker PCBs and 12 DL-PCBs were measured in the serum of workers in a transformer recycling plant, their relatives and of people working or living nearby the factory [ 49 ].…”