Evaluation of Metals in Printed Wiring Boards of Selected Discarded Mobile Phones in Nigeria

• DOI: 10.4314/etsj.v14i2.1
• Publication Date: 2024-02-13T11:55:58Z
• Authors: G.U. Adie; A.N. Abimbola; O.C. Aribisala; V.O. Adejumobi
• Keywords: 3d printed

Obsolete mobile phones form a major component of the e-waste stream. The Printed wiring boards (PWBs) are packed with economic and toxic metals. Regulatory bodies such as Restriction Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directives regulate amount these metals in electrical electronic equipment. This study is aimed at evaluating selected critical present PWBs three popular brands discarded used Nigeria to understudy behaviour original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) regarding toxicity, potentials, level compliance international initiatives by regulatory reduce obtained from 60 3 phone were chopped into smaller particles, extracted according EPA 3050B method, analysed using Inductive Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry technique. It was observed that Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu, had highest concentration range across all studied. Notable Pb, Cd, Cr, As have mean standard deviation values 0.43±0.38 mg/kg, 0.62±0.160 5.16±1.06 84.97±13.83 mg/kg respectively. Economic metals: Ag, Au 80.37±16.89 2.12±0.43 0.95±0.19 Results indicate perfect secondary source large variety vital for recycling industry. Also, low levels suggest some OEMs already adopting 'design-for-environment' option. Therefore, studied seem eco-friendly; however, need be handled care there still concern not determined this study.