Human health and environmental impact of e-waste mismanagement

Arturo Gavilán García

National Institute of Ecology, SEMARNAT

Workshop on E-waste Recycling and Refurbishing: Environmentally Sound Management PracticesFebruary 15, 2011

Guadalajara, MexicoFebruary 15–16

Purpose of presentation

• To present the potentially toxic content of electronic products

• To discuss the potential environmental impacts of the improper management of electronic waste

• To describe ongoing studies in Mexico

Overview

Issues

Effects on the environment

Studies conducted in Mexico

Issues Growing use of electrical and electronic devices around

the world (Widmer, 2005).

Lack of specific standards inadequate disposal (Widmer,

2005).

Varying metals content: mercury, lead, cadmium, beryllium, chromium, barium and polybrominated flame retardants: PBDE, TBBPA (SEMARNAT, 2003; Weiyue et al,

2007).

Around 500 million PCs reached the end of their usefful lives between 1994 and 2003 (2,872,000 tons of plastic, 718,000 tons of Pb, 1,363 tons of Cd and 287 tons of Hg) (Puckett & Smith, 2002).

Mexico spends more than US$1600 per capita each year (World Bank, 2004).

Issues

Waste sent to developing countries for treatment and disposal (Summers, 1991; Sinha-

Khetriwal, 2005).

Interest in valuable materials such as gold, silver and copper in formal and informal activities (EU, 2002b).

High levels of PBDE, D/F and HPA reported in air, water, soil and sediment, as well as in blood and breast milk of residents in places where craft recyclers are located (100 times above normal), and higher levels in occupational environmental (Wong et

al., 2006; Yu, 2006; Weiyue et al., 2007).

Wires (plastic & copper)

Reusable components

Plastics (mixtures of HIP, PVC & ABS)Printed circuit cards (precious metals, copper & other minerals)

Large metal pieces (aluminum & iron)

Baterías

Components with high levels of lead or mercury

IBM 5150 (1987)

Issues

Effects on the environmentTOXIC EFFECTS Pb As Hg Cd Cr

abdominal pain, tachycardia, arrhythmia, tremors,convulsions, coma, cardio-respiratory failure, , death

Acute poisoning nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,

Neurological changes biochemical, chemical and histological

changes, demyelinization of axons, psychomotor, sensorial and

cognitive loss, , behavioral and personality changes

Respiratory tract damage bronchitis, pneumonitis, edema and pulmonary obstruction, septum perforation

Cardiovascular disorders hypertension,)

Hematological changes hemorrhage, anemia, leukopenia

Ulceration of skin and mucous membranes Liver damage Kidney damage Osteoporosis and bone deformation Reproductive effects Teratogenic effects Genotoxic effects Cancer ( skin, lung, etc.

black foot disease

Ecotoxicological effectsEcotoxicological effects

Lethal effects (DL50) in invertebrates, fish, amphibians, birds and mammals

Sublethal effects (in laboratory):

biochemical changes (protein synthesis) physiological changes (growth & reproduction) morphological changes (malformations) behavioral changes

Effects on the environment

Ecotoxicological effectsEcotoxicological effects

Effects on microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, protozoa)

reduced degradation of organic matterreduced nitrification processesaltered recycling of nutrients

Effects on algae and plants

inhibited germination and growthdecreased rate of photosynthesis (biomass)interference in nutrient absorptionchlorosis

Effects on communities

changes in the structure, abundance and diversity of species

Effects on the environment

Effects on the environment

Polybrominated flame retardants

Brominated organic compounds used in plastics, textiles, building materials and electrical circuits to prevent fires.

Such as:

a) Polybrominated biphenyl ethers, b) Hexabromocyclododecane,

c) Tetrabromobisphenol, and d) Polybrominated biphenyls

Polychlorinated biphenyls

• Effects on:

• Immune system

• Neurological system

• Development

• Reproductive system

• Genotoxic

PBDEs• High levels found in food chain

• Environmental process begins with transportation by air, soil and water, due to mismanagement

• Not easily degraded in the environment and may remain for a long time

• Strongly bound to soil and sediment

Studies conducted in Mexico

TV

TV yTelecom

Cómputo

Elec. Consumo,Industrial yTelecom

Baja California

213

Chihuahua

98

Nuevo León

49

Tamaulipas

62

D.F. y Edo. México

107

Querétaro

25

Jalisco

77

TV

TV yTelecom

Cómputo

Elec. Consumo,Industrial yTelecom

Baja California

213

Baja California

213

Chihuahua

98

Chihuahua

98

Nuevo León

49

Nuevo León

49

Tamaulipas

62

Tamaulipas

62

D.F. y Edo. México

107

D.F. y Edo. México

107

Querétaro

25

Querétaro

25

Jalisco

77

Jalisco

77

National Diagnostic (2006)

(CIIEMAD, IPN)

Northeast Regional Diagnostic (2007)

(ITESM)

Border Diagnostic (2009)

(CIIEMAD, IPN)

Mexico City Metropolitan Area Diagnostic (2010)

(CIIEMAD, IPN)

Studies conducted in Mexico • PBDEs (2007)

• Analysis of children in San Luis Potosí, Chihuahua and Mexico State

• PBDEs (2009)

• National Diagnostic

• Analysis of plastics and polymers

• PBDEs (2010)

• Analysis of landfills

• Analysis of children in San Luis Potosí, Chihuahua and Mexico State

Thank youagavilan@ine.gob.mx