Assessment of Hazardous and Precious Metal Content in E-Waste

Abstract

E-waste contains both precious and hazardous metals. It offers economic benefits and, at the same time, poses risks to the environment and human health while recovering and recycling such metals. The present study aimed to determine the content of precious metals such as gold and silver and one hazardous metal (lead) in selected components of e-waste (RAM and PCB of computers and mobile phones). Hydrometallurgical process was adopted in this experimental research. The results indicated that gold concentration is higher in computer’s PCB (146.93 mg/kg) than that in mobile phones (30.86 mg/kg). It has been found that computer’s RAM contains as much as 3911 mg/kg of gold. The concentration of silver found in computer’s RAM is 2.82 mg/kg, and its amounts are negligible in PCB of mobile phone and computer. Regarding lead concentration, computer’s PCB contains a higher amount (6814 mg/kg) than that of RAM (224 mg/kg). Lead concentration in mobile phone’s PCB is relatively less (87 mg/kg). This study indicates that there is a significant potential for recovering such heavy metals. However, to minimize the environmental and health hazards, such extraction should be carried out in an environmentally friendly and technologically sound manner.