Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Small Capacitors from Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
| Title | Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Small Capacitors from Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment |
| Publication Type | Conference Paper |
| Year of Publication | 2008 |
| Authors | Eugster M, Kasser U, Seiler C, Zennegg M |
| Conference Name | Electronics Goes Green 2008+ |
| Conference Start Date | 8-10 September |
| Conference Location | Berlin / Germany |
| Abstract | Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) have been often used due to their outstanding physical and chemical proper-ties for technical application in paper film capacitors in electrical and electronic appliances. Increasing concern over the toxicity and persistence of PCBs in the environment led to a general ban of production and use of PCBs in the mid eighties. In this paper, actual concentration levels and flows of PCBs from capacitors in waste electri-cal and electronic equipment are presented. These PCB levels have been determined in capacitors of different product categories, collected from numerous recycling facilities in Switzerland, applying gas chromatogra-phy/electron capture detection and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. The study concludes that the analysis of PCB in such heterogeneous matrices like shredded capacitors is highly critical and can lead to signifi-cant uncertainties. Nevertheless, the results of the study show clearly still increased levels of PCBs in capacitors from large household appliances and in particular from ballasts of fluorescent tube lamps. Surprisingly, also in-creased levels of PCBs have been found in ICT-products and consumer electronics.
|
|
|
