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CNBC AI News, July 28 – Xiamen Customs recently intercepted a shipment containing what authorities have identified as “foreign waste” disguised as industrial material. According to an announcement on the Customs official WeChat account, inspectors at Dongdu Port discovered the imported goods to be a grayish-white powder. Subsequent analysis revealed the substance to be calcium fluoride sludge, a byproduct of semiconductor manufacturing, that had been dried and granulated into powder form. Chinese regulations classify this material as prohibited foreign waste.
Under the “Solid Waste Environmental Pollution Prevention and Control Law of the People’s Republic of China,” the import of foreign waste is strictly prohibited. Customs officials are mandated to return the illegal shipment to its origin and impose a fine on the importer.
Criminal charges will be pursued should the offense meet the threshold for criminal liability.
Calcium fluoride sludge from the semiconductor industry is considered hazardous waste, posing significant environmental and health risks:
Ecological & Environmental Impact
Soil Contamination: Improper disposal or leakage of calcium fluoride sludge powder leads to the accumulation of fluoride ions in the soil. This alters the soil’s chemical composition, potentially causing acidification or salinization, disrupting soil structure, and inhibiting microbial activity, which in turn hinders plant growth and reduces soil fertility. The long-term consequences can include diminished agricultural productivity and ecosystem degradation.
Water Pollution: If calcium fluoride enters water bodies (rivers, lakes, groundwater), the dissolving fluoride ions can cause fluoride levels to exceed safe limits. Prolonged consumption of water with excessive fluoride poses a threat to aquatic life and disrupts the delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems. Furthermore, contaminated groundwater can enter the food chain, potentially impacting human health.
Human Health Hazards
Fluoride Toxicity Risk: While fluoride is a trace element essential for human health, excessive intake leads to fluorosis. Prolonged exposure to fluoride ions released from calcium fluoride sludge can cause bone and dental diseases, such as skeletal fluorosis (characterized by joint pain, bone deformation, and limited mobility) and dental fluorosis (characterized by enamel discoloration, pitting, and damage).
Other Potential Health Concerns: Semiconductor industry calcium fluoride sludge may contain heavy metals or other toxic contaminants (e.g., lead, cadmium, arsenic) introduced during the manufacturing process. These substances present carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic risks. Exposure through inhalation, skin contact, or the food chain can damage the liver, kidneys, and nervous system, posing a serious threat to human health.
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