PCDD/Fs, PBDD/Fs, and PBDEs in the air of an e-waste recycling area (Taizhou) in China: current levels, composition profiles, and potential cancer risks

Abstract

Atmospheric concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were measured in Taizhou, a large electronic equipment waste (e-waste) recycling area in East China ) in this region have declined compared with those in 2005, due to regulations on primitive e-waste recycling activities. However, these concentrations remain higher than the historically highest levels in Europe and North America. The congener profiles of 2,3,7,8-substituted PCDD/Fs were similar, with OCDD, 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF, OCDF, and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD being the most abundant congeners at all sites. The PCDD/F homologue profiles in the present study were different from those typically observed at non-e-waste locations, indicating a distinct source in this region. Seasonal differences were found in the lower brominated PBDE profiles. These differences indicate that the PBDE emission sources in summer (e.g., strong evaporation sources) differed from those in winter. However, the relatively steady congener profiles of the highly brominated PBDEs suggest that these PBDEs were controlled primarily by similar emission mechanisms. The lifetime excess cancer risks from exposure to PCDD/Fs and PBDD/Fs via inhalation ranged from 0.7 Â 10 À5 to 5.4 Â 10 À5, or approximately 80 cancer cases in the Taizhou population.

A comparison of the levels and particle size distribution of lower chlorinated dioxin/furans (mono- to tri-chlorinated homologues) with those of tetra- to octa-chlorinated homologues in atmospheric samples

“…Most previous studies on ambient air have focused on the levels and distribution patterns of tetra-to octa-CDD/Fs (Li et al, 2008b;Wang et al, 2010;Zhang et al, 2012Zhang et al, , 2015. To our knowledge, there are no studies on the particle size distribution of lower chlorinated homologues and no comparisons of their distribution with that of higher chlorinated homologues in ambient air.…”

Bioaccumulation and translocation of polyhalogenated compounds in rice (Oryza sativa L.) planted in paddy soil collected from an electronic waste recycling site, South China

“…PHC dissipation in soils is caused by plant absorption, soil evaporation (Tian et al, 2011;Zhang et al, 2012b), biodegradation by microbes (Lee and He, 2010;Hong et al, 2012;Ding et al, 2013) and plant roots in soil (Liste and Alexander, 2000), and photolysis (Wong and Wong, 2006). The congener profiles of PCB and PBDE differed slightly among three soil groups (Fig.…”

Levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and biphenyls (PCBs) in blood of informal e-waste recycling workers from Agbogbloshie, Ghana, and controls

“…BFR containing or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coated copper cables, provide optimal conditions for de novo formation of halogenated aromatic compounds, such as PCDD/Fs, its brominated equivalents PBDD/Fs, mixed brominated/chlorinated homologies (PXDD/Fs) and other dioxin-related compounds (DRCs) (Weber and Kuch, 2003;Hedman et al, 2005;Gullett et al, 2007;Duan et al, 2011;Hibbert and Ogunseitan, 2014). Due to uncontrolled combustion and thermal processing of e-waste, these POPs have been found in the air, bottom ash, dust, soil, water and sediment samples from EWRSs worldwide, partly in tremendous high concentrations (Li et al, 2007;Wong et al, 2007;Brigden et al, 2008;Liu et al, 2008;Ma et al, 2009aMa et al, , 2009bWen et al, 2009Wen et al, , 2011Ni et al, 2010;Tue et al, 2010b;Zhang et al, 2012b;Chan and Wong, 2013;Hu et al, 2013;Labunska et al, 2013;Ren et al, 2013;Wang et al, 2013;Hosoda et al, 2014;Xiao et al, 2014). The share of annual mass of e-waste derived PCDD/F in China alone is estimated to be in the range of several kilograms (Ni et al, 2010).…”