Abstract
Personal computers (PCs) were examined as part of a case study to estimate the amount of potentially recoverable metals, including hazardous metals, contained in waste electric and electronic equipment. We first explain comprehensive analytical methods, step-by-step process dismantling and instrumental analysis including X-ray fluorescent spectrometry and ICP mass spectrometry. After using chemical analysis to determine the elements, the total amounts for 47 elements were obtained by adding the mass of each metal in each part or material. In total, the PC contained 794mg of Ag, 143mg of Au, 186mg of Pd, 20g of Pb, and so on. A printed circuit of a note type PC contained the same level of Au in a printed circuit of a desktop type PC, but contained half the amount of Ag, one-tenth of Pd, one-seventh of Pb. There are still some analytical problems that remain to be solved in order to obtain accurate and representative metal concentrations in waste products.
