Tracking Global Flows of E-Waste Additives by Using Substance Flow Analysis, with a Case Study in China

Tiền, Huỳnh Văn; Heise, Susanne; Segui, X; Casal, Joaquim; Darbra, Rosa Mari; Suciu, Nicoleta; Capri, E.; Trevisan, Marco; Schuhmacher, Marta; Nadal, Martí; Rovira, Joaquim

doi:10.1007/698_2012_196

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Material and substance flow analysis has often been preferred for the development of appropriate management plans, policy measures, estimates of exposure risks, understanding of low and high stocks for inventory, and dynamic forecasts. [5][6][7][8] The detailed theory and practice of material and substance flow analysis is described in Babayemi et al 8 The aim of the present study was to evaluate the flow of automobile ULAB and their heavy metal content to understand the potential impacts on the environment in Nigeria. An estimate of ULAB generated in the country currently and in the future will help to better manage its flow.…”

Section: Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Material and Substance Flow Analysis of Used Lead Acid Batteries in Nigeria: Implications for Recovery and Environmental Quality

Ogundele

Ogundiran

Babayemi³

et al. 2020

Journal of Health and Pollution

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Background. As resources become scarce, information from material and substance flow analysis can help to improve material recovery policy. The flow of toxic substances such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As) and antimony (Sb) can be used as a basis for appropriate risk management decisions for optimum environmental quality. Objectives. The present study examined a material and substance flow analysis of used lead acid batteries (ULAB) from motor vehicles and implications for environmental quality in Nigeria. Methods. Information on motor vehicle imports was obtained from the literature. Mathematical models were constructed and used for the material and substance flow analysis. Samples of 50 brands of ULAB pastes were digested using a microwave digestion system followed by elemental determination (Pb, Cd, silver (Ag), As, cobalt (Co), calcium (Ca), Cr, copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), Sb, selenium (Se), and tellurium (Te)) with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. Results. Approximately 4.8 million tons (Mt) lead acid batteries (LAB) from vehicles was used in Nigeria between 1980 and 2014, out of which approximately 2.6 Mt had reached end-of-life (EoL) stages. From the total amount in EoL, approximately 2.3 Mt was recycled, and 0.3 Mt was landfilled. Among the toxic elements, Pb, Cd and As were the most abundant in ULAB; and of the valuable elements, Fe and Cu had the highest levels. Approximately 3.5 Mt of Pb was used in the past (1980–2014) in ULAB for motor vehicles, out of which approximately 1.9 Mt tons was in EoL stages. Discussion. The results revealed that the battery pastes were heterogeneous. Only Pb exceeded the total threshold limit concentration (TTLC) of 1000 mg/kg. The TTLC describes the safe levels or concentration of heavy metals in the environment. The levels observed for other metals in this study were below the TTLC values. The present study estimated an average life span for lead acid batteries in motor vehicles in Nigeria of 5 years, suggesting an additional 2.2 Mt at EoL by 2019. High concentrations of Pb in air, water and soil carry the potential for contamination of food products, especially in Nigeria, where food is traditionally prepared and sold in open air markets in an unregulated manner. Conclusions. High amounts of toxic elements present in the various life cycle stages signal potential environmental and human health hazards. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Section: Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%