Emission inventories, emission factors, and composition profiles of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy metals (HMs) from an e-waste dismantling park in southern China

Yan Yang; Jiarui Shen; Haojia Chen; Zhiqin Liang; Xiaotu Liu; Hongbing Ji

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121890

Emission inventories, emission factors, and composition profiles of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy metals (HMs) from an e-waste dismantling park in southern China

Environ Pollut. 2023 Aug 15;331(Pt 2):121890. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121890. Epub 2023 May 24.

Authors

Yan Yang¹, Jiarui Shen², Haojia Chen³, Zhiqin Liang², Xiaotu Liu⁴, Hongbing Ji³

Affiliations

¹ School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China; Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China; Synergy Innovation Institute of GDUT, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China. Electronic address: yangyan1209@gdut.edu.cn.
² School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China; Synergy Innovation Institute of GDUT, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China.
³ Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Resource Processing and Process Intensification Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, PR China.
⁴ School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.

PMID: 37236584
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121890

Abstract

Electronic waste (e-waste) dismantling is a significant source of atmospheric pollutants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy metals (HMs), which may have adverse effects on the surrounding environment and residents. However, the organized emission inventories and emission characteristics of VOCs and HMs from e-waste dismantling are not well documented. In this study, the concentrations and components of VOCs and HMs were monitored at the exhaust gas treatment facility from two process areas of a typical e-waste dismantling park in southern China in 2021. Emission inventories of VOCs and HMs were established, with total emissions of 8.85 t/a and 18.3 kg/a for VOCs and HMs in this park, respectively. The cutting & crushing (CC) area was the largest emissions source, accounting for 82.6% of VOCs and 79.9% of HMs, respectively, while the baking plate (BP) area had higher emission factors. Additionally, the concentration and composition of VOCs and HMs in the park were also analyzed. For VOCs, the concentrations of halogenated hydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons were comparable in the park, while m/p-xylene, o-xylene, and chlorobenzene were the key VOC species. The HM concentrations followed the order of Pb > Cu > Mn > Ni > As > Cd > Hg, with Pb and Cu being the main heavy metals released. This is the first VOC and HM emission inventory for the e-waste dismantling park, and our data will lay a solid ground for pollution control and management for the e-waste dismantling industry.

Keywords: E-waste dismantling; Emission factor (EF); Emission inventory; Heavy metals (HMs); Volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

MeSH terms

Air Pollutants* / analysis
China
Electronic Waste*
Environmental Monitoring
Lead
Metals, Heavy* / analysis
Volatile Organic Compounds* / analysis

Substances

Volatile Organic Compounds
Lead
Metals, Heavy
Air Pollutants