A Review of E-Waste Treatment Technologies from the Perspective of Heavy Metal Release: Efficiency, Mechanisms, and Environmental Risks from Informal Acid Leaching to Formal Smelting

Yixuan Chen

doi:10.47297/taposatWSP2633-456933.20250608

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A Review of E-Waste Treatment Technologies from the Perspective of Heavy Metal Release: Efficiency, Mechanisms, and Environmental Risks from Informal Acid Leaching to Formal Smelting

Volume 6, Issue 8

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A Review of E-Waste Treatment Technologies from the Perspective of Heavy Metal Release: Efficiency, Mechanisms, and Environmental Risks from Informal Acid Leaching to Formal Smelting
A Review of E-Waste Treatment Technologies from the Perspective of Heavy Metal Release: Efficiency, Mechanisms, and Environmental Risks from Informal Acid Leaching to Formal Smelting
Suzhou International Academy, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215200, China
Vol. 6, Issue 8, Pages: 181-185(2025)
Published：30 August 2025
DOI：10.47297/taposatWSP2633-456933.20250608
Accepted：

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Chen Yixuan.A Review of E-Waste Treatment Technologies from the Perspective of Heavy Metal Release: Efficiency, Mechanisms, and Environmental Risks from Informal Acid Leaching to Formal Smelting[J].Theory and Practice of Science and Technology,2025,06(08):181-185.
DOI：

Chen Yixuan.A Review of E-Waste Treatment Technologies from the Perspective of Heavy Metal Release: Efficiency, Mechanisms, and Environmental Risks from Informal Acid Leaching to Formal Smelting[J].Theory and Practice of Science and Technology,2025,06(08):181-185. DOI： 10.47297/taposatWSP2633-456933.20250608.

摘要

Abstract

The global proliferation of electronic waste (e-waste) has raised critical environmental and public health concerns

primarily stemming from the liberation of toxic heavy metals during recycling operations. This comprehensive review provides a systematic comparative analysis of two dominant e-waste treatment pathways—informal acid leaching and formal smelting—evaluating their metal release efficiencies

underlying mechanisms

and associated ecological consequences. Informal acid leaching

widely practiced in developing regions through the application of concentrated acids

facilitates metal extraction but leads to extensive soil and aqueous contamination

owing to unregulated effluent discharge and absent mitigation measures. Formal pyrometallurgical smelting

conversely

employs regulated thermal treatment in enclosed environments

augmented by sophisticated gas cleaning and residue management systems

achieving high metal recovery rates while substantially curtailing environmental emissions. Nevertheless

widespread implementation of formal techniques is impeded by operational heterogeneities

divergent pollution monitoring methodologies

and contextual socioeconomic constraints. The study underscores the necessity of developing harmonized assessment protocols

blended policy instruments

and flexibly scalable technological interventions to alleviate heavy metal pollution and advance sustainable e-waste management strategies worldwide.

关键词

Keywords

references

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