Human exposure to FRs at contaminated sites

Transcription

1 Human exposure to FRs at contaminated sites David Santillo, Iryna Labunska, Kevin Brigden & Paul Johnston Greenpeace Research Laboratories University of Exeter 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 1

2 Sources of FR contamination Manufacture of FR formulations Manufacture of flame-retarded materials and goods Use of flame-retarded materials and goods Disposal of flame retarded materials and goods (including waste electrical and electronic equipment WEEE or e-waste) 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 2

3 Disposal of e-waste Rapidly growing in scale Increasing volumes exported and recycled under poorly controlled conditions by SMEs Poor working conditions and unsafe practices (lack of ventillation and personal protective equipment, low temperature open burning of residues, involvement of child labour) Complexity of products limits material separation Generates hazardous liquid, gaseous and solid residues, including dusts Few direct studies of contribution to exposure 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 3

4 Market growth in electronic and electrical goods EU M large household appliances 48M PCs and laptops 32M TVs USA M TVs M mobile phones M mobile phones China M PCs and laptops 48M TVs 20M fridges 7.5M air conditioning units Globally, more than 100 million more mobile phones were sold in 2007 than in 2006 (total now over 1 billion per year) 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 4

5 Growth in e-waste Global e-waste generation growing at about 40 million tonnes per year (8-9 million tonnes per year from the EU) between 50% & 80% ends up in Asia By 2020, computer e-waste expected to increase 2-4 times in China and South Africa, and 5 times in India, compared to 2007 Over same period, mobile phone e-waste expected to grow by 7 times in China and 18 times in India Domestic e-waste production in China already around 2.3 million tonnes per year (2 nd only to USA at 3 million) - made worse by illegal waste imports 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 5

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13 Ever-decreasing cycles 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 13

14 Where does all the e-waste go? 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 14

15 Growing domestic burdens 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 15

16 Growing domestic burdens 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 16

17 E-waste recycling under controlled industrial conditions 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 17

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19 China 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 19

20 China 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 20

21 China 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 21

22 China 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 22

23 China 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 23

24 China 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 24

25 It s not just China... 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 25

26 India 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 26

27 India 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 27

28 Pakistan 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 28

29 Pakistan 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 29

30 Thailand 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 30

31 Thailand 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 31

32 Ghana 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 32

33 Ghana 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 33

34 Ghana 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 34

35 Ghana 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 35

36 Ghana 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 36

37 Ghana 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 37

38 Ghana 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 38

39 Of e-waste exported to Asia (including from USA and Europe), estimated that 90% goes to China 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 39

40 From Chi et al. (2011) Informal electronic waste recycling: A sector review with special focus on China. Waste Management 31: th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 40

41 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 41

42 Sources of human exposure at contaminated e-waste sites 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 42

43 Particulates in air at e-waste recycling sites From Deng et al. (2007) Distribution of PBDEs in air particles from an electronic waste recycling site compared with Guangzhou and Hong Kong, South China. Environment International 33: th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 43

44 Particulates in air at e-waste recycling sites From Deng et al. (2007) Distribution of PBDEs in air particles from an electronic waste recycling site compared with Guangzhou and Hong Kong, South China. Environment International 33: th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 44

45 Direct workplace exposure from An et al. (2011) On-site and off-site atmospheric PBDEs in an electronic dismantling workshop in south China: Gas-particle partitioning and human exposure assessment. Environmental Pollution (in press) 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 45

46 Direct workplace exposure the case of Sweden 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 46

47 Direct workplace exposure the case of Sweden From Thuresson et al. (2006) Polybrominated diphenyl ether exposure to electronics recycling workers a follow up study. Chemosphere 64: th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 47

48 Direct workplace exposure the case of Guiyu, China From Qu et al. (2007) Exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers among workers at an electronic waste dismantling region in Guangdong, China. Environment International 33: th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 48

49 Direct workplace exposure other locations in Guandong, China From Qu et al. (2007) Exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers among workers at an electronic waste dismantling region in Guangdong, China. Environment International 33: th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 49

50 from Bi et al. (2007) Exposure of Electronics Dismantling Workers to Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers, Polychlorinated Biphenyls, and Organochlorine Pesticides in South China. Environmental Science & Technology 41: th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 50

51 Non-occupational exposure in e-waste recycling areas from Zheng et al. (2011) Levels and sources of brominated flame retardants in human hair from urban, e-waste, and rural areas in South China. Environmental Pollution (in press) 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 51

52 from Zheng et al. (2011) Levels and sources of brominated flame retardants in human hair from urban, e-waste, and rural areas in South China. Environmental Pollution (in press) 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 52

53 Problems in assessing contribution to general population exposure through inhalation High diurnal and day-to-day variation in airborne concentrations (depending on types and levels of activity, weather conditions, etc.) Very limited data on other routes of exposure in e-waste recycling areas in China Estimates of total daily intake of PBDEs based on inhalation of times safe limits rely on un-testable assumptions from Chen et al. (2011) Phase partitioning, concentration variation and risk assessment of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the atmosphere of an e-waste recycling site. Chemosphere 82: th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 53

54 Soil contamination from open burning from Wong et al. (2007) Export of toxic chemicals e A review of the case of uncontrolled electronicwaste recycling. Environmental Pollution 149: th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 54

55 from Leung et al. (2007) Spatial Distribution of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers and Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins and Dibenzofurans in Soil and Combusted Residue at Guiyu, an Electronic Waste Recycling Site in Southeast China. Environmental Science & Technology 41: th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 55

56 Total PBDEs, ng/g dry weight BDE-209 Matrix Location Source South China, near dismantling Luo et al. 9,156 6,319 Soil (0.25mm) workshops ,400 combusted residues 48,600 (2mm) South China, E-waste site at Taizhou, Zhejiang Leung et al , ,000 Dust (0.5mm) South China, e-wastes area Wang 2010 Current study 13,000 8,500 dust/soil/sediment dismantling 68,000 25,500 dust separation/solder recovery 174, ,000 soil/sediments acid processing 281, ,000 sediment shredding 391,000 ash & burned 320,000 components burning sites GRL data in prep 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 56

57 River sediment contamination From Luo et al. (2007) Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in fish and sediment from river polluted by electronic waste. Science of the Total Environment 383: th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 57

58 Fish contamination From Luo et al. (2007) Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in fish and sediment from river polluted by electronic waste. Science of the Total Environment 383: th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 58

59 Uptake by plants from Wang et al. (2011) Characterization of PBDEs in soils and vegetations near an e-waste recycling site in South China. Environmental Pollution 159: th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 59

60 Uptake by plants from Huang et al (2011) Plant uptake and dissipation of PBDEs in the soils of electronic waste recycling sites. Environmental Pollution 159: th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 60

61 Contamination of livestock From Qin et al. (2011) Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in chicken tissues and eggs from an electronic waste recycling area in southeast China. Journal of Environmental Sciences 23(1): th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 61

62 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 62

63 Dietary intake studies around e-waste sites are limited to date... from Zhao et al. (2009b) PBBs, PBDEs, and PCBs in foods collected from e-waste disassembly sites and daily intake by local residents. Science of the Total Environment 407: th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 63

64 More on fish contamination in Guiyu From Chan, K.Y. (2008) Dietary Exposure, Human Body Loadings and Health Risk Assessment of Persistent Organic Pollutants at Two Major Electronic Waste Recycling Sites in China. PhD Thesis 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 64

65 Type of oil Origin Total PBDEs, ng/g Source Olive Spain 0.35 (tetra-octa) Domingo et al Sunflower Spain 0.38 (tetra-octa) Domingo et al Olive (c-r) Spain (tetra-octa) Perello et al Rice Canada n/d (tri-hepta) Jacobs et al veg. oils Sold in Spain Corn Canola North America North America (tri-hepta) Marti et al (tri-deca) Ohta et al. (year unknown) 21.78(tri-deca) Ohta et al. (year unknown) Olive Europe 5.32(tri-deca) Ohta et al. (year unknown) Rice Thailand 5.5 (6.9)(tri-deca) Current study GRL data unpublished 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 65

66 More on fish contamination in Guiyu From Chan, K.Y. (2008) Dietary Exposure, Human Body Loadings and Health Risk Assessment of Persistent Organic Pollutants at Two Major Electronic Waste Recycling Sites in China. PhD Thesis 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 66

67 Dietary intake of PBDEs in Guiyu From Chan, K.Y. (2008) Dietary Exposure, Human Body Loadings and Health Risk Assessment of Persistent Organic Pollutants at Two Major Electronic Waste Recycling Sites in China. PhD Thesis 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 67

68 Dietary intake of PBDEs in Guiyu From Chan, K.Y. (2008) Dietary Exposure, Human Body Loadings and Health Risk Assessment of Persistent Organic Pollutants at Two Major Electronic Waste Recycling Sites in China. PhD Thesis 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 68

69 Breast milk contamination with PBDEs in Guiyu From Chan, K.Y. (2008) Dietary Exposure, Human Body Loadings and Health Risk Assessment of Persistent Organic Pollutants at Two Major Electronic Waste Recycling Sites in China. PhD Thesis 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 69

70 Breast milk contamination with PBDEs in Guiyu From Chan, K.Y. (2008) Dietary Exposure, Human Body Loadings and Health Risk Assessment of Persistent Organic Pollutants at Two Major Electronic Waste Recycling Sites in China. PhD Thesis 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 70

71 Sources of human exposure at contaminated e-waste sites 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 71

72 Emerging issues Other flame retardants DBDPE Dechlorane plus Brominated and mixed chloro-bromo dioxins and furans Other poorly identified contaminants Simultaneous exposure to multiple hazardous chemicals Plethora of hotspots (manufacturing and recycling/disposal) Homes and offices as contaminated sites 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 72

73 from Zhang et al. (2009) Spatial distribution and vertical profile of polybrominated diphenyl ethers, tetrabromobisphenol A, and decabromodiphenylethane in river sediment from an industrialized region of South China. Environmental Pollution 157: th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 73

74 Emerging issues Other flame retardants DBDPE Dechlorane plus Brominated and mixed chloro-bromo dioxins and furans Other poorly identified contaminants Simultaneous exposure to multiple hazardous chemicals Plethora of hotspots (manufacturing and recycling/disposal) Homes and offices as contaminated sites 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 74

75 From Ren et al (2009) Determination of Dechlorane Plus in Serum from Electronics Dismantling Workers in South China. Environmental Science & Technology 43: th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 75

76 Emerging issues Other flame retardants DBDPE Dechlorane plus Brominated and mixed chloro-bromo dioxins and furans Other poorly identified contaminants Simultaneous exposure to multiple hazardous chemicals Plethora of hotspots (manufacturing and recycling/disposal) Homes and offices as contaminated sites 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 76

77 From Yu et al. (2008) E-WASTE RECYCLING HEAVILY CONTAMINATES A CHINESE CITY WITH CHLORINATED, BROMINATED AND MIXED HALOGENATED DIOXINS. Organohalogens 70: th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 77

78 Emerging issues Other flame retardants DBDPE Dechlorane plus Brominated and mixed chloro-bromo dioxins and furans Other poorly identified contaminants Simultaneous exposure to multiple hazardous chemicals Plethora of hotspots (manufacturing and recycling/disposal) Homes and offices as contaminated sites 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 78

79 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 79

80 Emerging issues Other flame retardants DBDPE Dechlorane plus Brominated and mixed chloro-bromo dioxins and furans Other poorly identified contaminants Simultaneous exposure to multiple hazardous chemicals Plethora of hotspots (manufacturing and recycling/disposal) Homes and offices as contaminated sites 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 80

81 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 81

82 from Han et al (2011) Correlations of PCBs, DIOXIN, and PBDE with TSH in Children s Blood in Areas of Computer E-waste Recycling. Biomed Environ Sci, 2011; 24(2): th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 82

83 Emerging issues Other flame retardants DBDPE Dechlorane plus Brominated and mixed chloro-bromo dioxins and furans Other poorly identified contaminants Simultaneous exposure to multiple hazardous chemicals Plethora of hotspots (manufacturing and recycling/disposal) Homes and offices as contaminated sites 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 83

84 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 84

85 Emerging issues Other flame retardants DBDPE Dechlorane plus Brominated and mixed chloro-bromo dioxins and furans Other poorly identified contaminants Simultaneous exposure to multiple hazardous chemicals Plethora of hotspots (manufacturing and recycling/disposal) Homes and offices as contaminated sites 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 85

86 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 86

87 Conclusions Poorly regulated and rudimentary recycling and disposal of e-waste has led to formation of many severely contaminated sites Potential for human exposure is clear but complex, variable and difficult to assess Still no complete exposure assessment relating to e- waste sites, even in China Dietary intake undoubtedly only part of the picture Knowledge of contamination and exposure in other countries extremely limited Urgent need for more co-ordinated assessments using common validated methods and assumptions 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 87

88 Detailed studies and assessments in other countries only just beginning... 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 88

89 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 89

90 Greenpeace Research Laboratories Electronics Research Production Use Recycling & Disposal 16th September 2011 INFLAME ATC 2, Univerity of Antwerp 90