Bisphenol analogues in soils from four circular economy E-waste dismantling parks: emission characteristics and health risks

Traditional electronic waste (E-waste) dismantling activities release substantial bisphenol analogues (BPs). In recent years, China has promoted the transformation of traditional E-waste dismantling parks into circular economy parks, yet the contamination characteristics of BPs under this new model remain poorly understood. In the present study, we systematically analyzed the pollution characteristics and health risks of 10 BPs in soils surrounding four circular economy E-waste parks [Ziya (ZY) in Tianjin, Fengjiang (FJ) and Binhai (BH) in Zhejiang, and Qingyuan (QY) in Guangdong]. The results showed that BPs were widely detected in soils surrounding the parks, with bisphenol A (BPA) accounting for 55%-77% of total concentrations, followed by tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) (6%-33%) and bisphenol F (BPF) (5%-14%). Significant inter-park heterogeneity was observed: FJ exhibited higher median BPA, BPF, and TBBPA than ZY (P < 0.05), while its BPF concentrations surpassed those in BH and QY (P < 0.05). Further correlation and principal component analyses revealed strong positive associations among BPA, BPF, and TBBPA (r = 0.638-0.873), which collectively loaded highly on PC1 (33%-52%), and their co-release mechanisms were closely related to the E-waste dismantling and incineration process. In addition, the spatial distribution of BPs showed a radial decline with each park as the core, suggesting potential health risks to surrounding populations. Risk assessment using estimated daily intake showed that BPA exposures exceeded the European Food Safety Authority’s updated tolerable daily intake. Monte Carlo simulation indicated that 97%, 60%, 80%, 25%, and 15% of the population were at risk of non-carcinogenic effects from BPA, BPF, bisphenol AF, bisphenol S, and bisphenol AP, respectively.