Seong-Rin Lim, et al., report that light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are advertised as environmentally friendly because they are energy efficient and mercury-free. This study aimed to determine if LEDs engender other forms of environmental and human health impacts, and to characterize variation across different LEDs based on color and intensity.
The objectives are as follows -
(i) to use standardized leachability tests to examine whether LEDs are to be categorized as hazardous waste under existing U.S. federal and California state regulations; and
(ii) to use material life cycle impact and hazard assessment methods to evaluate resource depletion and toxicity potentials of LEDs based on their metallic constituents.
According to U.S. federal standards, LEDs are not hazardous except for low-intensity red LEDs, which leached Pb at levels exceeding regulatory limits (186 mg per L. with a regulatory limit of 5). However, according to California regulations, excessive levels of copper (up to 3892 mg per kg, limit .. 2,500), Pb (up to 8,103 mg per kg, limit .. 1,000), nickel (up to 4,797 mg per kg, limit .. 2,000), or silver (up to 721 mg per kg, limit .. 500) render all except low-intensity yellow LEDs hazardous.
The environmental burden associated with resource depletion potentials derives primarily from gold and silver, whereas the burden from toxicity potentials is associated primarily with arsenic, copper, nickel, lead, iron, and silver. Establishing benchmark levels of these substances can help manufacturers implement design for the environment through informed materials substitution, can motivate recyclers and waste management teams to recognize resource value and occupational hazards, and can inform policymakers who establish waste management policies for LEDs.
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