Leaching potential of metals and brominated flame retardants in obsolete notebook computers.

摘要

Due to the increasing use of electronic components and the accelerated rate in which these components become obsolete, there has been a dramatic increase of discarded electronic waste (E-waste). E-waste includes obsolete electronic products such as computers, scanners, cellular phones, etc. These electronic components are manufactured using a variety of hazardous materials. As these components are discarded, the toxic and hazardous substances may become mobile and could impact human health and the environment. The toxic substances of concern contained in E-waste include heavy metals and brominated flame retardants (BFRs). This study attempts to identify the leaching potential of BFRs and metals.