Source-to-sink pathway analysis of PBDE to improve waste management

What is it about?

We examine flows and stocks of Stockholm Convention regulated pollutants, commercial penta‐ and octabrominated diphenyl ether (cPentaBDE, cOctaBDE) in Vienna. The goals are to (1) identify sources, pathways, and sinks of these compounds, (2) determine the fractions reaching so called final sinks, and (3) recommend waste management measures to ensure minimum recycling and maximum transfer of PBDEs to appropriate final sinks. Substance flow analysis (SFA) and scenario analysis show that the key flows of cPentaBDE stem from construction materials. Therefore, end‐of‐life (EOL) plastic materials used for construction must be separated and properly treated, for example, in a state‐of‐the‐art municipal solid waste (MSW) incinerator. In the case of cOctaBDE, the main flows are waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and, possibly, vehicles. Most EOL vehicles are exported from Vienna and pose a global, rather than a local, problem. According to the modeling, approximately 73% of cOctaBDE reached the final sink MSW incinerator, and 17% returned back to consumption by recycling. Secondary plastics, made from WEEE, may thus contain significant amounts of cOctaBDE; however, uncertainties are high. Uncertainty analysis reveals the major cause as the lack of reliable values regarding cOctaBDE concentrations in European WEEE categories 3 and 4, including cathode ray tube monitors for computers and televisions. We recommend establishing a new, goal‐oriented data set by additional analyses of waste constituents and plastic recycling samples, as well as establishing reliable mass balances of polybrominated diphenyl ethers’ flows and stocks by means of SFA.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

PBDEs are a hazard for humans and environment and need to be removed from human habitats and nature. Waste management plays a major role hereby.

Perspectives