Dioxins, Furans and Heavy Metals

To date, there has been little published information on the emissions of substances such as volatile organic compounds (VOC), dioxins (polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins, or PCDD), furans (polychlorinated dibenzofurans, or PCDF) and heavy metals from lime kilns. 

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The expense of proper disposal leads to the shipment of large amounts of e-waste to China, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, and other developing countries. Shipment is often through middlemen, and under tariff classifications that make quantities difficult to assess. There, despite the intents of national regulations and hazardous waste laws, most e-waste is treated as general refuse, or crudely processed, perhaps by burning or acid baths, to recover only a few materials of value. Harm to the environment, workers, and area residents is inevitable, often from release of dioxins, furans, and heavy metals. 

Dioxins, furans and heavy metals can be released as air borne pollutants in the ash, which needs to be landfilled with special care (i.e. mixed with cement) due to a danger of ground water contamination. 

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