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Informal E -waste recycling in nine cities of Pakistan reveals significant impacts on local air and soil quality and associated health risks. | LitMetric

AI Article Synopsis

  • - The study assesses hazardous heavy metals (HMs) in air and soil around 40 informal e-waste recycling sites in Pakistan from September 2020 to December 2021, revealing alarming levels of metals like Zn, Pb, and Mn, especially in urban areas like Karachi.
  • - Soil concentrations of metals such as Mn, Cu, and Pb were notably higher in major cities, with elevated levels occurring in winter and autumn, indicating the significant impact of informal recycling activities on environmental contamination.
  • - The research highlights serious health risks, particularly from lead exposure, and suggests moderate to low cancer risks for workers, recommending strategic measures to improve e-waste management and protect human health and ecosystems in Pakistan.

Article Abstract

The global increase in electronic waste (e-waste) has led to a rise in informal recycling, emitting hazardous heavy metals (HMs) that threaten human health and ecosystems. This study presents the first comprehensive assessment of HM levels in dry deposition and soils at proximity of forty (40) informal e-waste recycling sites across Pakistan, between September 2020 to December 2021. Findings reveal that Zn (1410), Pb (410) and Mn (231) exhibited the higher mean deposition fluxes (μg/m.day), derived from air samples, particularly in Karachi. Similarly, soils showed higher mean concentrations (μg/g dw) of Mn (477), Cu (514) and Pb (172) in Faisalabad, Lahore, and Karachi, respectively. HMs concentrations were found higher in winter or autumn and lower in summer. In addition, HM levels were significantly (p = 0.05) higher at recycling sites compared to background sites year-round, highlighting the e-waste recycling operations as the major source of their emissions. The I index indicated moderate to extremely contaminated levels of Cu, Pb, Cd, and Ni in Karachi, Lahore and Gujranwala. Ingestion was found as a leading human exposure route, followed by dermal and inhalation exposure, with Pb posing the greatest health risk. The Cumulative Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) model suggested moderate to low cancer risks for workers. Strategic interventions recommend mitigating health and environmental risks, prioritizing human health and ecosystem integrity in Pakistan's e-waste management.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124259DOI Listing

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