Informal e-waste recycling: environmental risk assessment of heavy metal contamination in Mandoli industrial area, Delhi, India

Abstract

Nowadays, e-waste is a major source of environmental problems and opportunities due to presence of hazardous elements and precious metals. This study was aimed to evaluate the pollution risk of heavy metal contamination by informal recycling of e-waste. Environmental risk assessment was determined using multivariate statistical analysis, index of geoaccumulation, enrichment factor, contamination factor, degree of contamination and pollution load index by analysing heavy metals in surface soils, plants and groundwater samples collected from and around informal recycling workshops in Mandoli industrial area, Delhi, India. Concentrations of heavy metals like As (17.08 mg/kg), Cd (1.29 mg/kg), Cu (115.50 mg/kg), Pb (2,645.31 mg/kg), Se (12.67 mg/kg) and Zn (776.84 mg/kg) were higher in surface soils of e-waste recycling areas compared to those in reference site. Level exceeded the values suggested by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). High accumulations of heavy metals were also observed in the native plant samples (Cynodon dactylon) of e-waste recycling areas. The groundwater samples collected form recycling area had high heavy metal concentrations as compared to permissible limit of Indian Standards and maximum allowable limit of WHO guidelines for drinking water. Multivariate analysis and risk assessment studies based on total metal content explains the clear-cut differences among sampling sites and a strong evidence of heavy metal pollution because of informal recycling of e-waste. This study put forward that prolonged informal recycling of e-waste may accumulate high concentration of heavy metals in surface soils, plants and groundwater, which will be a matter of concern for both environmental and occupational hazards. This warrants an immediate need of remedial measures to reduce the heavy metal contamination of e-waste recycling sites.

Changes in phosphorus content, phosphatase activity and some physicochemical and microbiological parameters of soil within the range of impact of illegal dumping sites in Bydgoszcz (Poland)

“…Illegal dumping sites are usually situated in lowland areas in the neighbourhood of streams, forests, rivers, lakes and other ecologically sensitive regions, causing a serious environmental pollution by disturbing the soil microbiological, biochemical, physical and chemical properties (Bielińska and Mocek-Płóciniak 2009;Islam et al 2012;Wided et al 2014). The type and the amount of the waste deposited, containing particularly heavy metals, flame retardants, chlorofluorocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polybrominated diphenyl ethers and dioxin-like compounds, permeate into the soil and, consequently, have a great influence on the number of microorganisms, qualitative selection and the products of metabolism they secrete (Fraczek and Ropek 2011;Pradhan and Kumar 2014). Dumping sites are also a source of phosphorus (P), the basic nutrient for plants besides carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) (Lemanowicz 2013).…”

Assessment of Long-Term Evolution of Groundwater Hydrochemical Characteristics Using Multiple Approaches: A Case Study in Cangzhou, Northern China

“…Groundwater availability and quality has become the source of concern for researchers worldwide. Most studies of these issues focused on the saltwater intrusion [5,11], groundwater salinization [12][13][14][15], arsenic and other heavy metals in groundwater [16][17][18][19], the sustainability of aquifer exploitation [20] and groundwater quality evaluation [21]. The stability and safety of water supply associated with long-term groundwater exploitation are essential to sustainable development.…”

Sustainable Options for Mitigation of Major Toxicants Originating from Electronic Waste

“…There is rigorous legal framework for recycling and disposal of e-waste around the world. However, due to poor environmental law enforcement and inexpensive labour, e-waste from developed nations is also shipped to India for recycling 7 . Presently, annual e-waste generation in India is estimated to be 800,000 tonnes and this is expected to rise further in the coming years 7 .…”

“…However, due to poor environmental law enforcement and inexpensive labour, e-waste from developed nations is also shipped to India for recycling 7 . Presently, annual e-waste generation in India is estimated to be 800,000 tonnes and this is expected to rise further in the coming years 7 . Because of flexible law enforcement, e-waste processing is done in an informal manner in open environment in India.…”

“…This further strengthens the possibility of contamination of nearby areas with e-waste pollutants. Environmental risk assessment studies of areas nearby informal and uncontrolled e-waste processing site by various researchers have shown alarming levels of heavy metals and organic compounds in surface soil, vegetation and groundwater 2,4,7 . Even elevated levels of these toxicants were also detected in blood samples of workers associated with e-waste recycling and also in nearby local residents 8 .…”