Investigating the Level of Metal’s Toxicity in Used Cell Phone Batteries by TCLP and WET Methods

Ali Asghar  Ebrahimi; Maryam  Gholami; Maryam  Khashij; Zahra  Shamsizadeh; Keywan  Weysi; Mohammad Hassan  Ehrampoush; Mohsen  Pourafshar; Habibeh  Nasab

doi:10.18502/jehsd.v9i3.16584

Ali Asghar Ebrahimi Environmental Science and Technology Research Center, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Maryam Gholami Genetic and Environmental Adventures Research Center, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Abarkouh Paramedicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences. Yazd, Iran
Maryam Khashij Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran.
Zahra Shamsizadeh Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Larestan University of Medical Sciences, Larestan, Iran.
Keywan Weysi Environmental Science and Technology Research Center, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Mohammad Hassan Ehrampoush Environmental Science and Technology Research Center, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Mohsen Pourafshar School of Environment, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Habibeh Nasab Environmental Science and Technology Research Center, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jehsd.v9i3.16584

Keywords: Batteries, Metals, Electronic waste, Environmental pollution, Toxicity, Waste Extraction Test, Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure.

Abstract

Introduction: Batteries are widely used in all kinds of electrical and electronic equipment. These batteries contain several metals that lead to the leakage of metals into the soil and underground water in the burial places, which pose serious risks to human health and the environment.

Materials and Methods: In this study, the concentration of 15 metals (Ag, Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cs, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Pb, Sr, Zn, Ni) in different components of 7 used battery models was investigated using Waste Extraction Test (WET) and Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) toxicity. The concentration of metals was measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Metal concentrations were compared with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and California Department of Toxic Substances Control (CDTSC) standards.

Results: The results showed that the average concentration of metals in both WET and TCLP methods was high, but the concentration of most metals in WET method was relatively higher than in TCLP method.

Conclusion: The results showed that the recovery of metals from batteries is necessary, moreover safe burial of batteries is essential to reduce environmental risks.