The emission behavior of brominated flame retardants from IT-equipment plastics in different usage and disposal simulations | Das Emissionsverhalten von bromierten Flammschutzmitteln aus Kunststoffen von IT-Geräten in unterschiedlichen Nutzungs- und Deponierungssimulationen
2021
Hawlik, P. | Jandric, A. | Zafiu, C. | Huber-Humer, M. | Salhofer, S.
Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are often used in plastics of electrical devices to prevent possible fires caused by electrical short circuits. However, the use of some BFRs in consumer products has been restricted after persistent, human, and ecotoxic properties have been found. Several studies show that high levels of BFRs have been used in Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), because safer alternatives did not chiefly exist. In most cases, such high levels of BFRs were found in WEEEs that were manufactured before the restriction of BFRs and were disposed of several years later. BFRs are often used in thermoplastics as an additive that can leach easily and thus be released into the environment. Such leaching can occur both during the use phase and during waste management processes, e.g., considered on a global perspective after their disposal in landfills.In this study, we investigated the leaching of bromine-containing plastics from electrical appliances for different scenarios (usage, disposal). To simulate the emission of BFRs during the use phase, solutions mimicking sweat were applied. As an end-of-life scenario, the leaching behaviour under conditions that are typical for landfills was also studied. The different model solutions showed different results on leaching, with the artificial sweat solution (usage) showing the strongest effect and methanol (disposal) showing no effect. Influences due to temperature showed no effect on leaching behaviour.
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