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

Kazim, Mureed; Syed, Jabir Hussain; Saqib, Zafeer; Kurt-Karakus, Perihan Binnur; Iqbal, Mehreen; Nasir, Jawad; Akcetin, Merve Ozkaleli; Akram, Sumaira; Birgul, Askin; Kara, Melik; Dumanoglu, Yetkin; Barq, Mohsin Gulzar; Amin, Farrukh Raza; Harner, Tom; Jones, Kevin C.; Zhang, Gan; Odabasi, Mustafa

doi:https://open-science.canada.ca/handle/123456789/2813

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

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dc.contributor.author: Kazim, Mureed; Syed, Jabir Hussain; Saqib, Zafeer; Kurt-Karakus, Perihan Binnur; Iqbal, Mehreen; Nasir, Jawad; Akcetin, Merve Ozkaleli; Akram, Sumaira; Birgul, Askin; Kara, Melik; Dumanoglu, Yetkin; Barq, Mohsin Gulzar; Amin, Farrukh Raza; Harner, Tom; Jones, Kevin C.; Zhang, Gan; Odabasi, Mustafa
dc.date.accepted: 2024-05-27
dc.date.accessioned: 2024-08-08T14:19:17Z
dc.date.available: 2024-08-08T14:19:17Z
dc.date.issued: 2024-08-15
dc.date.submitted: 2024-03-07
dc.description - en: This study presents the first comprehensive assessment of heavy metal (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 zinc (Zn) (1410), manganese (Mn) (231) and lead (Pb) (410) exhibited the higher mean fluxes (μg/m2day) in air samples, particularly in Karachi. Similarly, soils showed higher mean concentrations (μg/g) of Mn (477), copper (Cu) (514) and Pb (172) in Faisalabad, Lahore, and Karachi, respectively. HMs concentrations peaked in winter or autumn and decreased in summer. HM levels were significantly (p = 0.05) higher at recycling sites compared to background sites year-round, highlighting their impact. The geoaccumulation index indicated moderate to extremely contaminated levels of Cu, Pb, cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni) in several cities. Ingestion was the primary exposure pathway, followed by dermal contact and inhalation, with Pb posing the greatest 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.
dc.description.abstract - en: 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/m2.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 Igeo 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.
dc.description.fosrctranslation - fr: Cette étude constitue la première évaluation complète des concentrations de métaux lourds (ML) dans les dépôts secs et les sols à proximité de quarante (40) sites informels de recyclage de déchets électroniques au Pakistan. Les travaux se sont déroulés entre septembre 2020 et décembre 2021. Les résultats révèlent que le zinc (Zn) (1 410), le manganèse (Mn) (231) et le plomb (Pb) (410) présentent des flux moyens plus élevés (μg/m2 jour) dans les échantillons d’air, en particulier à Karachi. De même, les sols présentent des concentrations moyennes plus élevées (μg/g) de Mn (477), de cuivre (Cu) (514) et de Pb (172) à Faisalabad, à Lahore et à Karachi, respectivement. Les concentrations de ML ont atteint un sommet en hiver ou en automne et ont diminué en été. Elles sont considérablement plus élevées (p = 0,05) dans les sites de recyclage comparativement aux sites de référence tout au long de l’année, ce qui met en lumière l’incidence du recyclage. L’indice de géoaccumulation indique des niveaux de contamination modérés à extrêmement élevés au Cu, au Pb, au cadmium (Cd) et au nickel (Ni) dans plusieurs villes. L’ingestion a été déterminée comme étant la principale voie d’exposition, suivie du contact cutané et de l’inhalation. C’est le Pb qui représente le plus grand risque. Le modèle utilisé pour le risque incrémental de cancer sur la durée de vie (ILCR) semble indiquer des niveaux de risque de cancer modérés à faibles pour les travailleurs. Des interventions stratégiques recommandent d’atténuer les risques pour la santé et l’environnement et d’accorder la priorité à la santé humaine et à l’intégrité des écosystèmes dans le cadre de la gestion des déchets électroniques au Pakistan.
dc.identifier.issn: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
dc.identifier.uri: https://open-science.canada.ca/handle/123456789/2813
dc.language.iso: en
dc.publisher: Elsevier
dc.relation.isreplacedby: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124259
dc.rights - en: Open Government Licence - Canada
dc.rights - fr: Licence du gouvernement ouvert - Canada
dc.rights.openaccesslevel - en: Green
dc.rights.openaccesslevel - fr: Vert
dc.rights.uri - en: https://open.canada.ca/en/open-government-licence-canada
dc.rights.uri - fr: https://ouvert.canada.ca/fr/licence-du-gouvernement-ouvert-canada
dc.subject - en: Nature and environment; Health and safety; Science and technology
dc.subject - fr: Nature et environnement; Santé et sécurité; Sciences et technologie
dc.subject.en - en: Nature and environment; Health and safety; Science and technology
dc.subject.fr - fr: Nature et environnement; Santé et sécurité; Sciences et technologie
dc.title - en: Informal e-waste recycling in nine cities of Pakistan reveals significant impacts on local air and soil quality and associated health risks
dc.type - en: Submitted manuscript
dc.type - fr: Manuscrit soumis
local.acceptedmanuscript.articlenum: 124259
local.article.journaltitle: Environmental Pollution
local.article.journalvolume: 355
local.pagination: 37 pages
local.peerreview - en: No
local.peerreview - fr: Non

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