Comprehensive evaluation of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds in surface soils and river sediments from e-waste-processing sites in a village in northern Vietnam:Heading towards the environmentally sound management of e-waste

The management of electronic waste(e-waste),which can be a source of both useful materials and toxic substances,depending on the processing method,is important for promoting material cycling.In this study,we used the dioxin-responsive chemical-activated luciferase gene expression(DR-CALUX)assay combined with gas chromatographyehigh-resolution mass spectrometry to evaluate the levels of dioxin-like compounds in surface soils and river sediments collected in and around an e-waste-processing village in northern Vietnam.The WHO-TEQs(Toxic equivalents)of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans(PCDD/Fs),coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls(Co-PCBs),and polybrominated dibenzo-pdioxins and dibenzofurans(PBDD/Fs)in soils collected in January 2012 ranged from 0.29 to 310 pg/g(median 2.9 pg/g,n=32),and the WHO-TEQs in sediments ranged from 0.96 to 58 pg/g(median 4.4 pg/g,n=8).Dioxin-like activities(CALUX-TEQs[2,3,7,8-TCDD equivalent])in soils collected in January 2012,2013,and 2014 ranged from<30 to 4300 pg/g(median<30 pg/g,n=96),and the activities in sediments ranged from<30 to 4000 pg/g(median 33 pg/g,n=24).Dioxin-like compounds accumulated in samples collected around e-waste-processing areas such as open-burning sites and e-waste-processing workshops,and the compounds may be transported from their sources to surrounding areas over the course of several years.Some of the CALUX-TEQs,but not WHO-TEQs,values were higher than the maximum acceptable WHO-TEQs promulgated by various authorities,indicating that all dioxin-like compounds should be evaluated in samples collected from e-waste-processing areas.Our findings suggest that open burning and open storage of e-waste should be prohibited and that wastewater treatment should be implemented at each workshop to reduce contamination by dioxin-like compounds from e-waste.

Hazardous metals emissions from e-waste-processing sites in a village in northern Vietnam

Inappropriate e-waste-processing operation is a serious issue in developing countries since the early 2000's.Field research was conducted to clarify its influences and diffuse toxic substances in the environment at e-waste-processing sites in a village in northern Vietnam from 2012 to 2014.We investigated surface soil samples collected from e-waste-processing sites,open burning sites,and rice paddy sites.Sediment samples and water samples were also collected from a river that runs through the village.The hazardous metal concentration in soil and river sediment samples indicated that 7 elements(Ca,Cu,Mo,Ni,Pb,Sn,and Zn)had high concentrations as a result of e-waste-processing.Most notably,Pb and Cu had high concentrations in soil samples(Pb:26e2200 mg/kg,Cu:22e3000 mg/kg).The results of a multivariate analysis indicated that these 7 elements were closely correlated with e-waste-processing.Concentrations of hazardous metals showed an upward trend where e-waste-processing occurred during the 3-year study period,although it was not significant statistically at present.Open burning activity had a great influence on Cu accumulation,and maximum Cu concentrations increased from 340 mg/kg in 2012e3000 mg/kg in 2014 in soil samples from open-burning sites.There were large differences in the dominant hazardous metal depending on the type of e-waste-processing workshop because hazardous metal composition was influenced by the types of e-waste and the processing procedures.It is necessary to avoid e-waste processing in open-air environment to control emissions of hazardous substances.Especially,open burning should be prohibited.