Sources of antimony in an urban area

Abstract

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. 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.