Sustainable Development Study Centre, Government College University, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2021 May;28(19):24807-24815. doi: 10.1007/s11356-020-12101-3. Epub 2021 Jan 4.
A multi-elemental analysis, including heavy metals and trace elements in ambient air samples, was conducted for computers, wires, lead batteries, and iron extraction facilities in Lahore by proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) spectroscopy. The data obtained from PIXE analysis revealed the presence of Mg, Al, Zn, S, Pb, K, Ti, Fe, Si, K, and Cr elements at e-waste recycling facilities. The computer dismantling site revealed a higher concentration of Fe (634.7 μg/m), Al (176.8 μg/m), Pb (135.4 μg/m) and Zn (122.5 μg/m) in the air samples. The decreasing order of heavy metals and trace elements contribution at the computer dismantling site was as Si > Fe > Al > Pb > Zn > Mg > Ca > Cr > K > S > Ti. Similarly, at wires/cables burning site, a higher concentration of Fe, Al, and Pb (829.8 μg/m, 184.5 μg/m and 115.6 μg/m, respectively) were observed, and the elements revealed a descending trend as Si > Fe > Al > Zn > Pb > Mg > Ca > Cr > Ti > K > S. The lead batteries dismantling site showed the highest Pb concentration (141.2 μg/m) due to the disassembling of lead acid batteries. Al, Zn, Fe, and Cr also revealed higher concentration in air samples and exhibited a declining trend as Si > Fe > Al > Pb > Zn > Cr > Ca > Mg > Ti > K > S. However, the highest concentration of Fe (865.7 μg/m) was detected in air samples of iron extraction sites besides Al and Zn. The descending order of trace elements contribution was Si > Fe > Al > Zn > Mg > K > Ca > Ti > S. Furthermore, the correlation between workers' awareness and their possible health impacts were also examined in the study. Most of the workers were less aware of the hazardous impacts. Majority of workers and residents were suffering from a respiratory illness (27.5% and 32.5%), kidney failure (15% and 22.5%), and neurological disorders (15% and 7.5%), respectively, due to exposure of airborne particulate matter which could be correlated with the higher concentration of heavy metals such as Pb, Cr, Zn, and Fe in the ambient air at the e-waste recycling sites.
拉合尔的计算机、电线、铅酸电池和铁提取设施采用质子诱导 X 射线发射（PIXE）光谱法进行了包括环境空气中重金属和微量元素在内的多元素分析。PIXE 分析获得的数据显示，在电子废物回收设施中存在 Mg、Al、Zn、S、Pb、K、Ti、Fe、Si、K 和 Cr 元素。在计算机拆解现场，空气中的 Fe（634.7μg/m）、Al（176.8μg/m）、Pb（135.4μg/m）和 Zn（122.5μg/m）浓度较高。在计算机拆解现场，重金属和微量元素的贡献递减顺序为 Si>Fe>Al>Pb>Zn>Mg>Ca>Cr>K>S>Ti。同样，在电线/电缆燃烧现场，Fe、Al 和 Pb 的浓度较高（分别为 829.8μg/m、184.5μg/m 和 115.6μg/m），元素的递减趋势为 Si>Fe>Al>Zn>Pb>Mg>Ca>Cr>Ti>K>S。由于铅酸电池的拆解，铅酸电池拆解现场的 Pb 浓度最高（141.2μg/m）。空气中的 Al、Zn、Fe 和 Cr 浓度也较高，呈 Si>Fe>Al>Pb>Zn>Cr>Ca>Mg>Ti>K>S 的递减趋势。然而，在铁提取现场的空气中，Fe 的浓度最高（865.7μg/m），其次是 Al 和 Zn。微量元素的贡献递减顺序为 Si>Fe>Al>Zn>Mg>K>Ca>Ti>S。此外，该研究还检查了工人的意识及其可能对健康的影响之间的关系。大多数工人对危险影响的认识较低。由于空气中的颗粒物浓度较高，接触这些颗粒物会导致工人和居民分别出现 27.5%和 32.5%的呼吸道疾病、15%和 22.5%的肾衰竭和 15%和 7.5%的神经系统疾病，而这些颗粒物可能与 Pb、Cr、Zn 和 Fe 等重金属在电子废物回收场环境空气中的浓度较高有关。
