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.authorid0000-0001-7108-9776
dc.authorid0000-0002-7718-0340
dc.authorid0000-0003-0297-6333
dc.authorid0000-0001-7163-2679
dc.authorid0000-0002-9010-8140
dc.authorid0000-0002-8008-750X
dc.authorid0000-0001-6737-3475
dc.contributor.authorKazim, Mureed
dc.contributor.authorSyed, Jabir Hussain
dc.contributor.authorSaqib, Zafeer
dc.contributor.authorKurt-Karakus, Perihan Binnur
dc.contributor.authorIqbal, Mehreen
dc.contributor.authorNasir, Jawad
dc.contributor.authorOdabasi, Mustafa
dc.date.accessioned2026-02-08T15:15:12Z
dc.date.available2026-02-08T15:15:12Z
dc.date.issued2024
dc.departmentBursa Teknik Üniversitesi
dc.description.abstractThe 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 (mu g/m2.day), derived from air samples, particularly in Karachi. Similarly, soils showed higher mean concentrations (mu g/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.sponsorshipPakistan Science Foundation (PSF) [Env/C-COMSATS-Isb (14)]; Scientific and Technological Research Institution of Turkiye [118Y216]
dc.description.sponsorshipThis work has been supported by Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) #Env/C-COMSATS-Isb (14) and The Scientific and Technological Research Institution of Turkiye (Grant #118Y216) .
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124259
dc.identifier.issn0269-7491
dc.identifier.issn1873-6424
dc.identifier.pmid38810680
dc.identifier.scopus2-s2.0-85194306023
dc.identifier.scopusqualityQ1
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124259
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12885/5664
dc.identifier.volume355
dc.identifier.wosWOS:001250318000001
dc.identifier.wosqualityQ1
dc.indekslendigikaynakWeb of Science
dc.indekslendigikaynakScopus
dc.indekslendigikaynakPubMed
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherElsevier Sci Ltd
dc.relation.ispartofEnvironmental Pollution
dc.relation.publicationcategoryMakale - Uluslararası Hakemli Dergi - Kurum Öğretim Elemanı
dc.rightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.snmzWOS_KA_20260207
dc.subjectE-waste
dc.subjectInformal recycling
dc.subjectHMs
dc.subjectParticulate matter
dc.subjectSoils
dc.subjectHealth risks
dc.titleInformal E-waste recycling in nine cities of Pakistan reveals significant impacts on local air and soil quality and associated health risks
dc.typeArticle

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