2 research outputs found
Potential Environmental and Human Health Impacts of Rechargeable Lithium Batteries in Electronic Waste
Rechargeable
lithium-ion (Li-ion) and lithium-polymer (Li-poly)
batteries have recently become dominant in consumer electronic products
because of advantages associated with energy density and product longevity.
However, the small size of these batteries, the high rate of disposal
of consumer products in which they are used, and the lack of uniform
regulatory policy on their disposal means that lithium batteries may
contribute substantially to environmental pollution and adverse human
health impacts due to potentially toxic materials. In this research,
we used standardized leaching tests, life-cycle impact assessment
(LCIA), and hazard assessment models to evaluate hazardous waste classification,
resource depletion potential, and toxicity potentials of lithium batteries
used in cellphones. Our results demonstrate that according to U.S.
federal regulations, defunct Li-ion batteries are classified hazardous
due to their lead (Pb) content (average 6.29 mg/L; Ο = 11.1;
limit 5). However, according to California regulations, all lithium
batteries tested are classified hazardous due to excessive levels
of cobalt (average 163β544 mg/kg; Ο = 62β897;
limit 8000), copper (average 98β694 mg/kg; Ο = 28β734;
limit 2500), and nickel (average 9525 mg/kg; Ο = 11β438;
limit 2000). In some of the Li-ion batteries, the leached concentrations
of chromium, lead, and thallium exceeded the California regulation
limits. The environmental impact associated with resource depletion
and human toxicity is mainly associated with cobalt, copper, nickel,
thallium, and silver, whereas the ecotoxicity potential is primarily
associated with cobalt, copper, nickel, thallium, and silver. However,
the relative contribution of aluminum and lithium to human toxicity
and ecotoxicity could not be estimated due to insufficient toxicity
data in the models. These findings support the need for stronger government
policy at the local, national, and international levels to encourage
recovery, recycling, and reuse of lithium battery materials
Recommended from our members
Leaching assessments of toxic metals in waste plasma display panel glass
<div><p>The plasma display panel (PDP) is rapidly becoming obsolete, contributing in large amounts to the electronic waste stream. In order to assess the potential for environmental pollution due to hazardous metals leached from PDP glass, standardized leaching procedures, chemical speciation assessments, and bioavailability tests were conducted. According to the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP), arsenic in back glass was present at 4.46 Β± 0.22 mg/L, close to its regulation limit of 5 mg/L. Zn is not available in the TCLP, but its TCLP leaching concentration in back glass is 102.96 Β± 5.34 mg/L. This is because more than 90% of Zn is in the soluble and exchangeable and carbonate fraction. We did not detect significant levels of Ag, Ba, or Cu in the TCLP leachate, and the main fraction of Ag and Ba is residual, more than 95%, while the fraction distribution of Cu changes SEP by SEP. Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA)- and diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable Ag, As, Ba, Cu, Zn, and Ni indicate a lower biohazards potential. These results show that, according to the EPA regulations, PDP glass may not be classified as hazardous waste because none of the metals exceeded their thresholds in PDP leachate. However, the concentrations of As and Zn should be lowered in the manufacturing process and finished product to avoid potential pollution problems.</p><p>Implications:β<i>The plasma display panel is rapidly becoming obsolete because of the liquid crystal display. In this study, the leachability of heavy metals contained in the waste plasma display panel glass was first examined by standardized leaching tests, typical chemical speciation assessments, and bioavailability tests, providing fundamental data for waste PDP glass recovery, recycling, and reuse.</i></p></div