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Human health and environmental impact of e-waste mismanagement

Workshop on E-waste Recycling and Refurbishing: Environmentally Sound Management Practices February 15, 2011. Human health and environmental impact of e-waste mismanagement. Arturo Gavilán García National Institute of Ecology, SEMARNAT. Guadalajara, Mexico February 15–16.

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Human health and environmental impact of e-waste mismanagement

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  1. Workshop on E-waste Recycling and Refurbishing: Environmentally Sound Management Practices February 15, 2011 Human health and environmental impact of e-waste mismanagement Arturo Gavilán García National Institute of Ecology, SEMARNAT Guadalajara, MexicoFebruary 15–16

  2. 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

  3. Overview • Issues • Effects on the environment • Studies conducted in Mexico

  4. 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).

  5. 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).

  6. Issues Components with high levels of lead or mercury Wires (plastic & copper) IBM 5150 (1987) Flame Retardants Flame Retardants Reusable components Baterías Cr Pb Plastics (mixtures of HIP, PVC & ABS) Printed circuit cards (precious metals, copper & other minerals) Large metal pieces (aluminum & iron) Cd Hg Pt

  7. Acute poisoning nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, tachycardia, arrhythmia, tremors, , convulsions, coma, cardio-respiratory failure, death changes, demyelinization of axons, psychomotor, sensorial and cognitive loss, , behavioral and personality changes Effects on the environment TOXIC EFFECTS Pb As Hg Cd Cr r r r Neurological changesbiochemical, chemical and histological r r r Respiratory tract damage bronchitis, pneumonitis, r r r edema and pulmonary obstruction, septum perforation Cardiovascular disorders hypertension, black foot disease r r r ) r r r r Hematological changes hemorrhage, anemia, leukopenia r r r Ulcerationof skin and mucous membranes r r r Liver damage Kidney damage r r r r r r Osteoporosisand bone deformation r Reproductive effects r r Teratogenic effects r r r r Genotoxic effects r r r Cancer ( skin, lung, etc.

  8. Effects on the environment Ecotoxicological 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

  9. Effectsontheenvironment Ecotoxicologicaleffects • Effects on microorganisms(bacteria, fungi, protozoa) • reduced degradation of organic matter • reduced nitrification processes • altered recycling of nutrients • Effects on algae and plants • inhibited germination and growth • decreased rate of photosynthesis (biomass) • interference in nutrient absorption • chlorosis • Effects on communities • changes in the structure, abundance and diversity of species

  10. Effectsontheenvironment • 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

  11. Polychlorinated biphenyls • Effects on: • Immune system • Neurological system • Development • Reproductive system • Genotoxic

  12. 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

  13. Studies conducted in Mexico • Border Diagnostic (2009) • (CIIEMAD, IPN) • Northeast Regional Diagnostic (2007) • (ITESM) • NationalDiagnostic (2006) • (CIIEMAD, IPN) • Mexico City • Metropolitan Area • Diagnostic (2010) • (CIIEMAD, IPN)

  14. 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

  15. Thank youagavilan@ine.gob.mx

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