A methodology for occupational exposure assessment of organic pollutants emitted through aerosols from recycling of e‐waste

Emission of airborne particulate matter is produced by the industrial processes of metal extraction from electronic waste (e‐waste). These aerosols can transport organic contaminants, such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polybrominated biphenyls. These pollutants are proven to have long‐term...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental quality management 2024-03, Vol.33 (3), p.195-208
Main Authors: Lasithiotakis, Michael, Psanis, Christodoulos, Triantafyllou, Eleni, Sinioros, Panagiotis
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
aerosol
Aerosols
Airborne particulates
Airborne wastes
Chemical analysis
Circuit boards
Compartments
Contaminants
Electronic waste
Environmental management
Environmental quality
Exposure
Health risks
Occupational exposure
Occupational health
Occupational safety
Organic contaminants
Orifices
PAHs
Particulate emissions
Particulate matter
PBDEs
Pollutants
Polybrominated biphenyls
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Recycling
Transportation safety
Ultrafines
WEEE
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Summary:Emission of airborne particulate matter is produced by the industrial processes of metal extraction from electronic waste (e‐waste). These aerosols can transport organic contaminants, such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polybrominated biphenyls. These pollutants are proven to have long‐term effects on workers' health. In this work, we characterize aerosol particles and dust deposited from a recycling process of printed circuit boards in a recycling plant. This study also explores the significance of the secondary aerosol sources, and their importance, as an additional burden compared to primary sources. A Scanning Mobility Particles Counter and Sizer (SMPCS) was used to measure the size distributions of ultrafine particles. A Micro‐Orifice Uniform Deposition Impactor (MOUDI) collected aerosol particle samples for chemical analysis. All plant compartments checked are subject to high particulate matter concentrations during work hours. Concentrations of organic pollutants in the machinery compartments do not pose a short or long‐term health risk according to US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA). The application of the model presented in this work revealed that the accumulation of contaminants in other compartments should be considered in an occupational exposure assessment because it can present an equally important burden to workers’ health.
ISSN:1088-1913
1520-6483
DOI:10.1002/tqem.22105