HAZARDOUS AND NON-HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES FROM E-WASTE; EFFECTS

OF EACH TO HUMAN HEALTH AND THEIR ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

The speedy growth of ICT (information and communication technology) sector has contributed
to the increased use of the ICT devices and their peripherals like computers, printers, mobile
phones etc. This has resulted into the increased number of devices that are reaching their end-of-
life which are to be disposed of as e-waste. E-waste is the abbreviation of the words “electronic
waste”, which are the electronic devices that have reached the end of their useful life and hence
have to be disposed as waste. The e-waste has been found to contain a lot of hazardous
components that have bad effects to human health and environments. Furthermore, it has been
found that the e-waste contains some non-hazardous components which can be used for other
purposes that have economic benefit. This study is about identifying the hazardous and non
hazardous substances from e-waste, the sources of the substances in e-waste and effects of each
substance to human health and their environment. From this general objective some specific
objectives were forwarded so that when they are achieved they lead to the achievement of the
general objective. The specific objectives of the study were: (i) identify the hazardous and non
hazardous substances from the e-waste (ii) identify the source of each substance in e-waste (iii)
identify the health and environmental implication of each hazardous substance from the e-waste.
The methodology used to achieve these specific objectives were literature reviews from different
reliable sources like previous researcher’s journals, thesis, and dissertations. Hazardous
components, their source, health and environmental implications of each were realized.
Additionally, a number of non-hazardous components were also realized. It was concluded from
the study that the insights from this study can be useful to the e-waste policy makers especially
when considering the component of recycling and reuse of materials from e-waste and some
economic benefit of the non-hazardous component from the e-waste.

Keywords: ICT (information and communication technology), e-waste (Electronic waste),

Hazardous substances, non-hazardous substances, Human health threat, Economic benefit,
pollution, Environmental threat, health implication, environmental implication, Flame retardants,
pollutants, contamination, acidification, plasticizers, recycling, open burning, dismantling,
additives, incineration.
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1. Introduction

E-waste has been found to contain substances that are hazardous and toxic, that are dangerous to
human health and their environments (Sinha, 2007). It has also been found that e-waste contains
not only dangerous and harmful substances, but also they contain some valuable substances that
can have some value and economic benefits to humans (Widmer et al., 2005). Therefore, e-waste
contains substances that bring good effect as well as bad effects to humans in terms of health,
environment pollution and economics. The challenges due to e-waste are growing significantly
due to the tremendous advances in the application of information and communication technology
(ICT) worldwide (Schwarzer et al., 2005). The general objective of the study is identifying the
hazardous and non hazardous substances from the e-waste, the source of each substance in e-
waste and effects of each to human health and their environment. Some specific objectives need
to be achieved first so as to achieve the general objective. Specific objectives in this study are; (i)
identify the hazardous and non hazardous substances from the e-waste (ii) identify the source of
each substance in e-waste (iii) identify the health and environmental implication of each
hazardous substance from the e-waste.

2. Literature review

2.1Contents, use and effects of hazardous substances from e-waste

According to study done by Kumar and Singh in the year 2014, substances contained in the e-
waste can be classified as metals and manmade organic substances. The metals from the e-waste
that have been found to be harmful to human health when excessive dosages are inhaled or
contacted or gets into the human body are; Antimony, Arsenic , Barium, Beryllium, Bismuth,
Cadmium, Chromium, Cobalt, Gallium, Lead, Lithium, Mercury, Molybdenum, Nickel,
Selenium, Silver, Sulphur, Valnadium andYttrium.

Harmful Manmade organic substances are put into three categories; phthalates, chlorinated
compounds and flame retardants. Phthalates which are commonly and accurately known as
phthalates diesters constituents non halogenated chemicals having numerous applications
ranging from being used as softeners/plasticizers in plastics/ PVC in form of covering of wires
and cables, other flexible compounds to constituents in inks surface coatings, adhesive sealants,

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personal care products etc. These Phthalates may include discrete chemicals popularly known as
diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), Complex isomer mixtures, diisononyl Phthalate (DINP) etc. The
phthalates main application /use are as plasticizers. These when disposed off result in large-scale,
indoor and outdoor losses to environment. These are one of the major leading manmade
chemicals put to use in the environment. These can be found in the form of dust in the air in the
indoor environment, one inhale and gets into contamination through food. Traces can be found in
human tissues, blood, as metabolites, in urine etc. Very rapidly these get metabolized to their
monoester forms which are more deadly and toxic than the parent compound one. The DEHP
and deadly MEHP in particular which is the monoester form of DEHP are known as reproductive
toxins. They are capable in interfering in the development of female reproductive system in
tender age itself. The other two common phthalate namely Butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP) and
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) which also finds extensive use has been equally reported to be toxic to
the reproduction systems. In case of Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) it has been found that it cannot be
taken up in food chain by crops as it affects physiology and morphology of crops during growth.
The Isomeric forms of phthalates particularly the DINP and Diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) have
been reported to have adverse effects on the liver and kidney with increased contamination or
inhalation as doses( Umesh et al., 2014).

Chlorinated compounds constitute of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and Chlorinated

benzenes. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) contain 209 individual organic chemical
compounds. These compounds are widely known as congeners and their use was banned in 1977,
though it is reported that till 2014 one third of the banned PCBs have leached into environment
and two third are still waiting to penetrate when remaining electronics equipment will come in
the waste list and will get recycled/dismantled or disposed or disposed off through combustion.
The PCBs persist in the environment when get released and cause harm for longer periods. The
PCBs can affect the individual through absorption from skins, thermal exposure, inhalation,
ingestion, or through food. There are some other wide range of hazardous toxic effects resulting
in or giving rise to suppression of immunological system, retarded growth, delayed cognitive
development, behavioral changes, tumor promotion, endocrine systems, neurotoxicity, liver
damage and effects on productive system on both male and female. To address this control of
PCBs many international agencies through their conventions and declarations have come up with
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legal instruments. The BASEL, Stockholm, OSPAR, LRTAP conventions are worth noting
(Alaee et al., 2003).

Chlorinated Benzenes known as Chlorobenzenes are having chlorine atoms ranging from one to
six forming mono, di, tri, tetra, penta or hexa derivatives of benzenes. The mono, di, tri, tera or
penta chlorinated derivatives have various uses or applications as solvents and intermediaries in
manufacturing of dye, pigment, antioxidants, agricultural or pharmaceutical products. Despite
the ban, the mono and dichlorobenzenes are manufactured even today (Birnbaun and Staskal,
2004). The chlorinated benzenes are persisted in environment when these get released while
combustion of chlorobenzenes plastic and can bioaccumulate/exist in both terrestrial and aquatic
systems. The effects of chlorobenzene explorer are both chronic and acute. The hazardousness
and toxicity increases with chlorination. These effect ranges from liver infection central nervous
system, thyroid and tumor promoter. Hexachlorobenzene can have severe effect on immune
system, CNC, liver, thyroid, nervous system etc. The pentachlorobenzene is reported to be
particularly potential substance for long range atmosphere transport. It is highly persistent
bioaccumulator having very high eco toxicity and hazardousness (Chen, 2011).

Flame retardants of which the most common are brominated flame retardants (BFRs), have
variety of names and in these days most of them are banned as they are highly toxic and
hazardous and pose several health threats. Most common BFRs are PBBs, PCB, Octa BDE,
penta BDE etc. The manpower which is engaged in the electronic recycling /disposal/
dismantling sites is reported to have much high risk and level of contamination of these (Gupta,
2007). Toxicity of these, results into long term impact in memory, endocrine (hormonal)
disruption, and impairment in immune system and Oestrogen and thyroid hormone systems
effects. The burning of plastics: containing PBDEs incinerator or in open space results into either
formation of brominated dioxins/furans or bromochloro dioxins/furans (Arwidson, 2009). These
are more toxic than chlorinated dioxins. The European Union (EU) framework directives have
included penta BDE in the priority hazardous substance list. The use of deca depravities and all
PBDEs is under the prohibited list of substances under the restrictions on hazardous substances
(ROHs) directives for Electrical and Electronics waste directives. The other most widely used
flame retardant is the Triphenyl Phosphate (TPP). This is one of the family members of triary

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phosphate. The TPP can be present to the extent of 10% of the weight of the plastic which is
present as outer covers of computer monitor. The burning of TPP which is most acutely
hazardous and toxic that cause major concerns to environment contamination (Darnerud, 2003).

2.2 Hazardous substances released from recycling of e-waste and their effects to human
and environment

There are businesses to collect, sort and manually separate electrical and electronic equipment.
The processes involve applying crude methods to segregate substances or material of interest
from their original location within the electrical/electronic equipments. Numerous studies have
described various e-waste recycling techniques that most likely cause the release of hazardous
substances that affects the health of human and environments. Some of these techniques are; (i)
open burning printed circuit boards (CBs) and cables ( Steines, 2004; Brigden et al.,2005; Gullet
et al., 2007; Wong et al., 2007c) (ii) burning of circuit boards (CBs) for component separation or
for solder recovery ( Brigden et al., 2006; Wong et al., 2007c) (iii) Toner sweeping, plastic
chipping and melting, burning wires to recover copper, heating and acid leaching of circuit
boards (CBs) (Hicks et al.,2005; Lewng et al.,2006) (iv) Gold recovery from CBs with cyanide
salt leaching or nitric acid and mercury amalgamation (Keller, 2006; Torre et al., 2006; Rochat et
al., 2007) (v) Manual dismantling of cathode ray tubes and open burning of plastics (Pucket et
al., 2005;Jain and Sareen,2006).

There are three main groups of substances released during recycling; (i) Original substances
which are constituents of electrical/electronic equipment (ii) Auxiliary substances, used in
recycling techniques (iii) By Products, formed by the transformation of primary constituents.

The by-products can be found in many types of emissions or outputs like; (i) Leachates from
dumping activities (ii) Particulate matter (Coarse and fine particles) from dismantling activities
(iii) Fly and bottom ashes from burning activities (iv) Fumes from mercury amalgamate “
cooking” de-soldering and other burning activities (v) Waste water from dismantling and
shredding facilities (vi) effluent from cyanide leaching other leaching activities or mercury
amalgamation (Victor and Kumar, 2012).

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Dumped materials containing heavy metals and brominated and chlorinated flame retardants can
affect soils. The mobility of these substances towards other environmental compartments
depends on diverse environmental parameters such as PH, organic matter content, temperature,
adsorption-desorption processes, complexation, uptake biota, degradation processes and the
intrinsic chemical characteristics of the substances ( Sauve et al., 2000; Geogopoulos et al., 2001;
Hu, 2002; Gouin and Harner, 2003; Qin et al., 2004).

Ionic and occasionally methylated heavy metals are particularly mobile and bio available (Dopp
et al., 2004; Hirner, 2006). Lower Brominated congeners of flame retardants such as PBDEs are
also particularly mobile while higher brominated congeners tend to bond to particles and exhibit
lipophilic properties (Gouin and Harner, 2003). Heavy metals not recovered during auxiliary
substances like mercury and cyanide can leach through the soil after disposal of effluents and
form inorganic and organic complexes within soils. These effluents can also enter water bodies
and the subsequent fate of original and auxiliary substances will depend on scavenging processes
(between phase and sediments) and volatilization.

2.3 Health and environmental hazards due to processing of the e-waste components.

There are health and environmental hazards resulting from processing the e-waste component
like Cathode ray tubes(CRTs), printed circuit boards( PCBs), Plastic components, Motherboard,
dismantled printed circuit boards, Chips, other gold plated components, Steel, copper and
precious metals (Deng et al., 2006). Some processes like burning in the open space,
incinerations, land filling, dismantling and recycling normally results into the hazardousness
generation. The use of additives in the process of incineration or dismantling for the example the
use of Sulphuric acid or hydrochloric acid in separating the circuit board and the PCB materials
(Deng et al., 2006). Table1. Shows a summary, of the e-waste components and the processes
applied that result into the human and environmental hazards.

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Table1. Summary of the potential health and environmental hazards due to processing of
e-waste components (Deng et al., 2006)

e-waste Processing Potential health Potential environmental hazard

component hazard
Cathode ray Remove of Silicosis, cuts from the Water sources, ground water
tubes (CRTs) copper, glass, inhalation of contamination by phosphorus
dumping, phosphorus and/or
breaking contact

Printed circuit Removal of Tin or lead Air contamination by emitted gases

board chips, de- installation, possibility
soldering of the of inhalation of
board mercury beryllium and
or brominated dioxins
Chips and Chemical Acid contact with skin Acidification of water sources
other gold stripping and or eyes resulting effecting the flora and fauna of the
plated in permanent injury. areas
components Inhalation of acid
fumes resulting in
respiration problems.
Plastic Shredding, low Exposure of dioxins Contamination of air, water source
components temperature and heavy metals and the soil
burning or
melting
Steel, copper Recovering of Intoxication of Contamination of surrounding and
and precious copper or steel dumping sites or water sources-ground water
metals through fire- surrounding residents,
open burning or workers in the
furnace dumping sites from
Tin, lead, beryllium
etc.

2.4 Sources of the hazardous components in e-waste and their impact on human health

Hazardous substances or elements in e-waste have different impacts on human health and
environments and they have different sources from e-waste. For example elements or substances
like Lead, Chromium, Mercury Beryllium, Sulphur, Cadmium, and Americium etc. can be found

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from different sources and brings different impact to human health. The hazardousness of the
component depends on the source and type of processing of the component for the sake of
recycling or digging some useful parts (Pradhan, 2013).Table2. Shows the list of hazardous
substances or elements, their impact to human health and the sources from which they are found
in e-wastes.

Table2.Sources and impacts to human health of hazardous substances in E-waste

(Pradhan, 2013)

Hazardous Source Impact to human health

substance
Lead Mechanical breaking of A neurotoxin that affects the kidneys and the
the Cathode ray tubes reproductive system. High quantity can be fatal. It
(CRTs) and removing affects mental development in children.
solder from microchips
released lead as powder
fumes
Plastics Circuit boards, cabinets Carcinogents Brominated Frame Retardants (BFRs)
and cables give out carcinogen brominated dioxins and furans.
Dioxins can harm reproductive and immune systems.
Chromium Used to protect metal Inhaling hexavalent chromium or chromium 6 can
housings and plates in a damage liver and kidneys and cause bronchial
computer from maladies including asthmatic bronchitis and lung
corrosion cancer

Mercury It is released while Affects the central nervous system, kidneys and
breaking and burning immune system. It impairs foetus growth and harms
of circuit boards and infants through mother’s milk. Mercury in water
switches bodies can form methylated mercury through
microbial activity. Methylated mercury is toxic can
enter the human food chain through aquatic
Berylium Cadmium is released A Carcinogen. Long-term exposure causes Itai-Itai
into the environment as disease, which causes severe pain in the joints and
powder while crushing spine. It affects the kidneys and softens bones
and milling of plastics.
CRTs and circuit
boards.
Acid Sulphuric and Fumes contain chlorine and sulphur dioxide, which
hydrochloric acids are causes respiratory problems. They are corrosive to the
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 used to separate metals eye and skin
from circuit boards
Sulphur Found in Lead and Cause damage to the liver , kidneys, heart, eye and
batteries throat imitation

Cadmium Light-sensitive Can leach into the soil, harming micro-organisms and
resistors, corrosion- disrupting the soil ecosystem inhalation. Can cause
resistant alloys for severe damage to the lungs and also known to cause
marine and aviation kidney damage
environments and
nickel cadmium
batteries
American Some detectors Radioactive and carcinogenic

2.5 Pollutants in e-waste

Pollutants or toxins in e-waste are typically concentrated circuit boards, batteries, plastics and
LEDs (Liquid crystal displays) (Alexander and Bernd, 2009). The major pollutants occurring in
e-waste are shown in table3.

Table3. Pollutants and their occurrence in waste electrical and electronic equipments
(Alexander and Bernd, 2008)

Pollutant Occurrence
Arsenic Semiconductor diodes, microwaves, LEDs (Light Emitting diodes),
solar cells
Barium Electronic tubes, filter for plastic and rubber, lubricant additives
Brominated frame Casing, circuit boards(plastic) cables and PVC cables
proofing agent
Cadmium Batteries, pigments, solder alloys, circuit boards, computer batteries,
monitor cathode ray tubes (CRTs)
Chrone Dyes/pigments, switching, solar
Cobalt insulators
Copper Conductors as cables, copper ribbons, coils, circuitry pigments
Lead Lead rechargeable, batteries, solar, transistors, lithium battery,
(polyvinyl chloride) stabilizers, lasers, LEDs, thermoelectric elements,
circuit’s boards.
Liquid crystal displays
Mercury Components in copper machines and steam irons, batteries in clocks

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 and pocket calculators, switches, LCDs
Nickel Alloys, batteries, relays, semiconductors, pigments
PCBs (Polychlorinated Transformers, capacitors, softening agents for paint, glue, plastic
biphenyls)
Silver Capacitors, switches( contacts) batteries, resistors
Zinc Steel, brass, alloys, disposable and rechargeable batteries, luminous
substances

2.6 Non-hazardous substances from the e-waste

E-waste have also been found to contain some components which are not hazardous and so can
be useful for other purposes which will bring economic benefits to the original owner or to the
recycling firm (Pradhan, 2013). A list of non-hazardous substances from e-waste and their
sources are shown in table4.

Table4.Non-hazardous substances found and their sources in e-waste (Pradhan, 2013)

Non-hazardous Source
substance
Tin Solder, Coatings on component leads
Copper Copper wire, printed circuit boards, tracks, component leads
Aluminium Nearly all electronic goods using more than a few watts of power (heat
sinks), electrolytic capacitors
Iron Steel Chassis, cases and fixings
Germanium Transistorized electronics (bipolar junction transistors)
Silicon Diodes, Transistors and Integrated circuits (ICs)
Zinc Plating

3. Methodology

Literature review of previous researchers work was used to get the insight of several issues on
the hazardous components found in e-wastes so as to achieve the general and specific objectives
of this study. The literature review was done through visiting the e-books, thesis papers,
dissertations papers, government reports, non-government organization reports, international
organization reports etc.

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4. Findings
There are several findings that were obtained after the literature review from different relevant
sources in order to achieve the specific objectives and hence the general objectives of this study.
The information of which can further be utilized by the researcher as the input to the
development of the e-waste management and information security guidelines and framework
suitable for Tanzania and other developing countries of which the researcher is intending to
develop. The following are the findings:

 The hazardous substances found in e-waste are;(i) Metals: Antimony, Arsenic , Barium,
Beryllium, Bismuth, Cadmium, Chromium, Cobalt, Gallium, Lead, Lithium, Mercury,
Molybdenum, Nickel, Selenium, Silver, Sulphur, Valnadium and Yttrium (ii) Manmade
substances; Phthalates, Chlorinated compounds and Flame retardants.

 The non-hazardous components from the e-waste that can be used for other economic
purposes are; Tin, Copper, Aluminium, Iron, Germanium, Silicon, Gold and Zinc.

 The hazardous components are found in: Cathode ray tubes, Printed circuit boards,
plastics components, Chips and other gold plated components, Steel, copper and precious
metals, Solder, Coatings on component leads, Copper wire, printed circuit boards, tracks,
component leads, nearly all electronic goods using more than a few watts of power (heat
sinks), electrolytic capacitors, Steel Chassis, cases and fixings, Transistorized electronics
(bipolar junction transistors), Diodes, Transistors and Integrated circuits (ICs), Plating,
Steel, brass, alloys, disposable and rechargeable batteries, luminous substances,
Capacitors, switches( contacts) batteries, resistors, Transformers, capacitors, softening
agents for paint, glue, plastic, Alloys, batteries, relays, semiconductors, pigments,
Components in copper machines and steam irons, batteries in clocks and pocket
calculators, switches, LCDs, displays, Lead rechargeable, batteries, solar, transistors,
lithium battery, (polyvinyl chloride) stabilizers, lasers, LEDs, thermoelectric elements,
circuit’s boards, Conductors as cables, copper ribbons, coils, circuitry pigments,
insulators, Batteries, pigments, solder alloys, circuit boards, computer batteries, monitor
cathode ray tubes (CRTs), Casing, circuit boards(plastic) cables and PVC cables,

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 Electronic tubes, filter for plastic and rubber, lubricant additives, Semiconductor diodes,
microwaves, LEDs (Light Emitting diodes), solar cells.

 The non-hazardous substances can be found in: Solder, Coatings on component leads,
Copper wire, printed circuit boards, tracks, component leads, nearly all electronic goods
using more than a few watts of power (heat sinks), electrolytic capacitors, Steel Chassis,
cases and fixings, Transistorized electronics (bipolar junction transistors), Diodes,
Transistors and Integrated circuits (ICs), Plating.

 The human health and environmental threats brought by the hazardous components are:
A neurotoxin that affects the kidneys and the reproductive system. High quantity can be
fatal. It affects mental development in children. Carcinogents; Brominated Frame
Retardants (BFRs) give out carcinogen brominated dioxins and furans. Dioxins can harm
reproductive and immune systems, Inhaling hexavalent chromium or chromium 6 can
damage liver and kidneys and cause bronchial maladies including asthmatic bronchitis
and lung cancer, Affects the central nervous system, kidneys and immune system. It
impairs foetus growth and harms infants through mother’s milk. Mercury in water bodies
can form methylated mercury through microbial activity. Methylated mercury is toxic can
enter the human food chain through aquatic, A Carcinogen. Long-term exposure causes
Itai-Itai disease, which causes severe pain in the joints and spine. It affects the kidneys
and softens bones, Fumes contain chlorine and sulphur dioxide, which causes respiratory
problems. They are corrosive to the eye and skin, Cause damage to the liver, kidneys,
heart, eye and throat imitation, Can leach into the soil, harming micro-organisms and
disrupting the soil ecosystem inhalation. Can cause severe damage to the lungs and also
known to cause kidney damage, Radioactive and carcinogenic, Silicosis, cuts from the
glass, inhalation of phosphorus and/or contact, Tin or lead installation, possibility of
inhalation of mercury beryllium and or brominated dioxins, Acid contact with skin and or
eyes resulting in permanent injury. Inhalation of acid fumes resulting in respiration
problems. Exposure of dioxins and heavy metals, Intoxication of dumping sites
surrounding residents, workers in the dumping sites from Tin, lead, beryllium etc., Water
sources, ground water contamination by phosphorus, Air contamination by emitted gases,

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 Acidification of water sources effecting the flora and fauna of the areas, Contamination
of air, water source and the soil, Contamination of surrounding and or water sources-
ground water.

6. Conclusion

From the study several hazardous and non-hazardous components were realized, their sources
and effects to human health and environments. The study also revealed that not all components
found in the e-waste are hazardous, there are some non-hazardous components from e-waste
which can be utilized for other economic purposes. Furthermore, it has been found from the
study that processing of the e-waste in recycling and separation of parts that also pauses threats
to human and environment due to processing and the additives used. Generally, poor disposal
mechanism will results in severe danger to human and environment. The insights from this study
can be used in developing the proper e-waste disposal methods. Further research suggestions are
on finding out the use of each non-hazardous component, so that they can be considered for the
economic benefit of the owner of the obsolete ICT devices.

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