Characterization of toxic metals and flame retardants in printed circuit boards from electronic waste

Abstract

The rapid growth of e-waste from advancing technology raises urgent environmental and health concerns, driven largely by printed circuit boards. This study evaluated toxic metals (As and Cd) and flame retardants (ƩPBDEs) in waste printed circuit boards (WPrCBs), soil, and borehole water from a dumpsite. WPrCBs exhibited the highest As (10.63 mg/kg) and Cd (10.05 mg/kg) levels, while ƩPBDEs reached 69.91 ng/g. Topsoil had elevated As and Cd levels compared to subsoil, reflecting surface accumulation; while borehole water mean concentrations were within permissible limits but posed potential health risks. Pollution indices confirmed significant Cd contamination, particularly in topsoil near the dumpsite. Health risk assessments showed higher non-carcinogenic exposure risks for children than adults, although total hazard quotients were below 1. Findings underscore the environmental impact of improper e-waste disposal and call for urgent remediation strategies to protect ecosystems and human health.