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RESEARCH FRONT
Contents Vol 6(2)

Sources of antimony in an urban area

Nina S. Månsson A C , David S. T. Hjortenkrans A , Bo G. Bergbäck A , Louise Sörme B and Agneta V. Häggerud A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Pure and Applied Natural Sciences, University of Kalmar, SE-391 82 Kalmar, Sweden.

B Statistics Sweden, Box 24 300, SE-104 51 Stockholm, Sweden.

C Corresponding author. Email: nina.mansson@hik.se

Environmental Chemistry 6(2) 160-169 https://doi.org/10.1071/EN08078
Submitted: 15 October 2008  Accepted: 21 January 2009   Published: 27 April 2009

Environmental context. The global production and use of antimony (Sb) increase together with stocks and emissions, but there are gaps in our knowledge concerning environmental effects. Here, a reconstruction of major Sb flows in an urban area was conducted. The major emission source of Sb identified was wear of brake linings, although other sources may also be of importance, e.g. diffuse emission of flame-retarded goods.

Abstract. The present study sets out to analyse the urban metal sources of Sb, by estimating the stock of Sb in use, and to present related flows and emissions in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2005. Antimony was studied with the main methodology of substance flow analysis with existing data, while chemical analysis was used as a complement. No large point sources were found reported to the authorities; hence, the dominating source for Sb is diffuse and originates from goods. The total Sb stock in Stockholm in 2005 was ~430 000 kg (range 110 000–1 700 000 kg) and the total Sb inflow was estimated at 45 000 kg year–1 (range 30 000–67 000 kg). The stock was dominated by flame-retarded goods, cable shielding, glass and accumulators. The Sb emission was estimated at ~720 kg year–1 (range 430–1200 kg year–1). Despite large uncertainties and missing data, the results supported the notion of the importance of brake linings as a source of Sb emissions (710 kg year–1), whereas other goods such as textiles (4.5 kg year–1), tyres (1.4 kg year–1), sinkers, ammunition and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and packaging were minor sources. However, flame-retarded goods are still poorly quantified and are seen as a potential emission source.

Additional keywords: diffuse emissions, metal, substance flow analysis (SFA), urban metabolism.


Acknowledgements

The present study was funded by the Faculty of Natural Science and Technology, University of Kalmar, and Statistics Sweden.


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A Substance search of name/CAS number, all products, [Quantity products (t)], in the database Kemi-stat, see http://apps.kemi.se/kemistat/, accessed 13 October 2008.

B SCB [Statistics Sweden], information retrieved in the statistical database of Trade in Goods and Services; available at http://www.ssd.scb.se/databaser/makro/start.asp?lang=2, accessed 13 October 2008

C SCB [Statistics Sweden], information retrieved in the statistical database of Transport and Communications; available at http://www.ssd.scb.se/databaser/makro/MainTable.asp?yp=tansss&xu=C9233001&omradekod=TK&omradetext=Transport+and+communications&lang=2&langdb=1, accessed 13 October 2008.

D Plastic polymers: PVC, polyvinylchloride; ABS, acrylic–butadiene–styrene; PS, polystyrene; PC, polycarbonate; PELD, low density polyethene; PEHD, high density polyethene.

E Information retrieved about number of sold PET bottles available at http://www.returpack.se, accessed 13 October 2008.

F Search on Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical classification system (ATC-code) number PO1CB01 and PO1CB02 in database on Swedish-approved medicine; available at http://www.fass.se/LIF/produktfakta/sok_lakemedel.jsp?expanded=P_P01_P01C_P01CB_P01CB01_P01CB02#P01CB02, accessed 13 October 2008.

G KUR [Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR)], search for antimony and antimony compounds in all sites in Sweden carried out at http://www.naturvardsverket.se/kur, accessed 13 October 2008.