RCRA Toxicity Characterization of Discarded Electronic Devices

Abstract

The potential for discarded electronic devices to be classified as toxicity characteristic (TC) hazardous waste under provisions of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) using the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) was examined. The regulatory TCLP method and two modified TCLP methods (in which devices were disassembled and leached in or near entirety) were utilized. Lead was the only element found to leach at concentrations greater than its TC limit (5 mg/L). Thirteen different types of electronic devices were tested using either the standard TCLP or modified versions. Every device type leached lead above 5 mg/L in at least one test and most devices leached lead above the TC limit in a majority of cases. Smaller devices that contained larger amounts of plastic and smaller amounts of ferrous metal (e.g., cellular phones, remote controls) tended to leach lead above the TC limit at a greater frequency than devices with more ferrous metal (e.g., computer CPUs, printers).

Photo-patternable and transparent films using cellulose nanofibers for stretchable origami electronics

“…Furthermore, non-biodegradable plastic waste is generated from discarded devices, causing serious environmental concerns. 17,18 Therefore, there is a clear and urgent need for new substrate materials that support flexible or stretchable electronics.…”

Toxicity of Electronic Waste Leachates to Daphnia magna: Screening and Toxicity Identification Evaluation of Different Products, Components, and Materials

“…The choice of leaching method has a great impact on both the amount and type of substances that are leached from electronic products, as has been shown in comparative studies (Lincoln et al 2007;Keith et al 2008;Yadong et al 2009;Jang and Townsend 2003;Jang et al 2006). High concentrations of Pb were found in TCLP leachates (pH 4.9) from personal computer components, cell phones, and other electronic devices Lincoln et al 2007;Musson et al 2006). However, in simulated landfill columns with soft water and a greater pH (7.5-8), Pb was not present in the leachate even when it was present at high concentrations in the solid samples (Li et al 2009).…”

Environmental Issues and Management Strategies for Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment

“…For CRT TVs and computers monitors, the CRT represents 60% or more of the mass of the device. 7 Although most of these data were gathered by manually separating and weighing WEEE components, some characterization data are provided for processed WEEE; for example, Cui and Forssberg 8 characterized and compared shredded TV scrap and PWB scrap, noting that PWB scrap was richer in nonferrous and precious metals compared with TV scrap.…”

“…Musson et al 7 tested CRTs and found that color models generally exceeded the TC limit for Pb. EPA subsequently passed federal legislation stating that color CRTs were expected to be hazardous for Pb and that unless they were managed following specific recycling protocols, they must be managed as hazardous waste.…”

“…42 Although the problematic nature of performing the TCLP on bulky, heterogeneous devices such as computers and similar equipment has historically precluded the routine testing of WEEE, a few researchers have examined several WEEE categories devices and found that in many cases, the TC thresholds for Pb (5 mg/L) are exceeded. 7,43,44 Although other TC elements are encountered in WEEE, they do not typically trigger the hazardous waste threshold. Figure 2 presents the range of TCLP Pb concentrations measured from several studies.…”