Press
Release
Test results of soil samples collected from e-waste workshops
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (April 21) released the test results of soil samples collected from six electronic waste workshops (e-waste site) in Ta Kwu Ling and Hung Lung Hang.
"While an earlier Greenpeace's report indicated the presence of lead and flame retardant polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) in soil at those sites, our tests found that the levels of lead and PBDE were low," a spokesman for the EPD said.
"They would not pose health hazards nor necessitate remediation work," he added.
These and many other e-waste sites in the New Territories are primarily used for storage, re-packaging and trading of second-hand or discarded office equipment and household appliances such as computers and television sets.
Soil samples were collected from within and immediately outside the boundary of six e-waste sites. They were analysed for heavy metals including lead and PBDE.
"Samples collected from areas immediately outside the e-waste sites showed low lead concentration, which was within the same range as the natural background concentration.
"The lead concentration was between 39 and 98 mg/kg.
"The lead content was found to be higher in top soil within the e-waste sites, but rapidly decreased to normal level within a shallow depth.
"However, they are all below the acceptable level set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for lead in soil for children's playing areas, and therefore are not considered posing any health risk," he said.
The USEPA's acceptable lead content in soil for children's playing areas is 400 mg/kg. Lead concentration below this level is not considered hazardous to children.
"Whilst the range of lead concentration detected outside the e-waste sites was significantly below the limit, lead content of soil within the e-waste sites ranged from 79 to 390 mg/kg, which was also below the limit.
"As for PBDE, there are over 200 congeners in the family. Analysis results of the congener pentabromodiphenyl ether (pentaBDE), which is of most concern, showed a range of 0.0075 to 0.19 mg/kg.
"It is very much below the standard specified by the USEPA for residential soil remediation application of 120 mg/kg," the spokesman said.
Details of the findings are available at EPD's website at www.epd.gov.hk.
End/Thursday, April, 21 2005
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