scholarly journals Work Task Association with Lead Urine and Blood Concentrations in Informal Electronic Waste Recyclers in Thailand and Chile

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (20) ◽  
pp. 10580
Author(s):  
Abas Shkembi ◽  
Kowit Nambunmee ◽  
Siripond Jindaphong ◽  
Denisse Parra-Giordano ◽  
Karla Yohannessen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electronic Waste ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Job Characteristics ◽  
Waste Recycling ◽  
Boosted Regression Trees ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Blood Concentrations ◽  
Lead Levels ◽  
Arm Motion

The informal recycling of electronic waste (“e-waste”) is a lucrative business for workers in low- and middle-income countries across the globe. Workers dismantle e-waste to recover valuable materials that can be sold for income. However, workers expose themselves and the surrounding environment to hazardous agents during the process, including toxic metals like lead (Pb). To assess which tools, tasks, and job characteristics result in higher concentrations of urine and blood lead levels among workers, ten random samples of 2 min video clips were analyzed per participant from video recordings of workers at e-waste recycling sites in Thailand and Chile to enumerate potential predictors of lead burden. Blood and urine samples were collected from participants to measure lead concentration. Boosted regression trees (BRTs) were run to determine the relative importance of video-derived work variables and demographics, and their relationship with the urine and blood concentrations. Of 45 variables considered, five job characteristics consisting of close-toed shoes (relative importance of 43.9%), the use of blunt striking instruments (14%), bending the back (5.7%), dismantling random parts (4.4%), and bending the neck (3.5%) were observed to be the most important predictors of urinary Pb levels. A further five job characteristics, including lifting objects <20 lbs. (6.2%), the use of screwdrivers (4.2%), the use of pliers/scissors (4.2%), repetitive arm motion (3.3%), and lifting objects >20 pounds (3.2%) were observed to be among the most important factors of blood Pb levels. Overall, our findings indicate ten job characteristics that may strongly influence Pb levels in e-waste recycling workers’ urine and blood.

scholarly journals Reducing blood lead levels in children exposed to electronic waste recycling in Montevideo

2016 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 442
Author(s):  
R. Dowling ◽  
G. Feola ◽  
A. Laborde ◽  
S. Gualtero ◽  
L. Hernandez
Keyword(s):  
Electronic Waste ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Waste Recycling ◽  
Blood Lead Levels ◽  
Lead Levels ◽  
Electronic Waste Recycling

scholarly journals Elevated Blood Lead Levels of Children in Guiyu, an Electronic Waste Recycling Town in China

2007 ◽  
Vol 115 (7) ◽  
pp. 1113-1117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xia Huo ◽  
Lin Peng ◽  
Xijin Xu ◽  
Liangkai Zheng ◽  
Bo Qiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electronic Waste ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Waste Recycling ◽  
Blood Lead Levels ◽  
Elevated Blood ◽  
Lead Levels ◽  
Electronic Waste Recycling ◽  
Elevated Blood Lead Levels

Relationship between Blood Lead Levels and Dietary Essential Mineral Intake in Electronic Waste Workers and a Control, in Ghana

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvia Akpene Takyi ◽  
Julius Fobil ◽  
John Arko-Mensah ◽  
Nil Basu ◽  
Thomas Robins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electronic Waste ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Blood Lead Levels ◽  
Lead Levels

scholarly journals Metal Levels, Genetic Instability, and Renal Markers in Electronic Waste Workers in Thailand

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-84
Author(s):  
Richard L Neitzel ◽  
Stephanie K Sayler ◽  
Aubrey L Arain ◽  
Kowit Nambunmee
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Genetic Instability ◽  
Electronic Waste ◽  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
Fractional Excretion ◽  
Waste Recycling ◽  
Blood Concentrations ◽  
Metal Levels ◽  
Renal Markers ◽  
Rna And Dna

Background: Informal electronic waste (e-waste) recycling is an increasingly important industry worldwide. However, few studies have studied the health risks in this group of workers. Objective: To assess the associations between occupational exposures to metals and genetic instability and renal markers among e-waste recycling workers. Methods: We recruited informal e-waste recycling workers from a community in northeastern Thailand. Participants completed a questionnaire, several health measurements, and provided urine and blood samples, which we then analyzed for a number of metals including lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and manganese (Mn). Samples were analyzed for a marker of RNA and DNA damage (ie, oxidative stress), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and fractional excretion of calcium (FECa%) were measured as markers of renal function. Correlations and regression models were used to assess associations between these various factors. Results: We found significantly higher levels of Cd and Pb in blood of men compared with those in women. Men who worked >48 hours/week had significantly higher levels of 8-OHdG compared with men who worked ≤48 hours/week. Smoking was significantly associated with higher blood Pb and Cd concentrations among men. Conclusion: Our results suggest gender differences in both blood concentrations of metals associated with e-waste recycling and smoking and highlight potentially elevated oxidative stress associated with longer work hours. Health promotion efforts are needed among informal e-waste recyclers to reduce possible risks of renal damage and cancer

scholarly journals Blood lead levels in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. e145-e153
Author(s):  
Bret Ericson ◽  
Howard Hu ◽  
Emily Nash ◽  
Greg Ferraro ◽  
Julia Sinitsky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Blood Lead Levels ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Lead Levels

scholarly journals Blood Lead Levels in children 2 through 59 months old in Bhutan

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 7-14
Author(s):  
Phillip Erbele ◽  
Deki Pem ◽  
Phensum Tobgay ◽  
Sonam Pelden ◽  
Mongal S. Gurung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Blood Lead Levels ◽  
Elevated Blood ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Two Cities ◽  
Lead Levels ◽  
Elevated Blood Lead Levels

Introduction: Pediatric lead exposure has long-term health, public health, and economic consequences; however, it is an underrecognized problem in low and middle-income countries. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of elevated blood lead levels (EBLLs) (greater than or equal to 5mg/dL) and evaluate risk factors for EBLLs in infants and children in two cities in Bhutan. Methods: A cross-sectional study of children 2 through 59 months old was conducted in Thimphu and Phuentsholing, Bhutan during 2018. Blood was obtained by finger-stick and tested using a LeadCare II analyzer (Meridian Bioscience). Data were double entered in EpiData 3.1 and validated. Excel, Prism8, and STATA/IC 15.1 were used for analysis. Results: Among 531 participants, the prevalence of EBLLs was 43.88%. The prevalence of EBLLs in girls and boys was 37.40% (n=262) and 50.19% (n=269), respectively (p= 0.004). The prevalence in Thimphu was 52.35% (n=361), compared to 25.88% (n=170) in Phuentsholing (p less than 0.001). In Thimphu, 70.47% (n=149) of 1 - 4 year old children tested in spring had EBLLs, compared to 51.45% (n=138) in autumn (p=0.001). Of the risk factors assessed, only regularly eating with fingers or hands was significantly associated with EBLLs (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Nearly half of participants in two cities in Bhutan had elevated blood lead levels. Seasonal exposure to lead appears to be present. The high prevalence in this study is alarming. Further studies are urgently needed to both characterize the sources of lead and validate these findings on a larger scale.

scholarly journals Health Assessment of Electronic Waste Workers in Chile: Study Design and Participant Characterization

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karla Yohannessen ◽  
Daniela Pinto-Galleguillos ◽  
Denisse Parra ◽  
Amaranta Agost ◽  
Macarena Valdés ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Occupational Injuries ◽  
Electronic Waste ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Waste Recycling ◽  
High Income ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
National Prevalence

Little research has been done on occupational health ramifications of informal electronic waste (e-waste) recycling work, which is increasingly common in low- and middle-income countries, and very little is known about this in high-income countries. Our study evaluated informal and formal e-waste recycling workers in Chile, which was recently recognized as a high-income country. In 2017 we recruited 78 informal recycling workers from two cities, and 15 formal e-waste recycling workers from one recycling facility. Participants completed a questionnaire and health assessment regarding their involvement in, and potential impacts of, e-waste recycling, among other measures. Participants were primarily male, middle-aged, married with children, and had worked in e-waste recycling for an average of 12 years. Participants generally reported good health status, and chronic disease prevalence was similar to the national prevalence. Workers commonly reported exposures to several occupational stressors, including mental health stressors and noise, as well as insufficient income.&nbsp;&nbsp; Occupational injuries were common and use of safety equipment was low. No significant differences were found between informal and formal workers. Informal e-waste workers in Chile face occupational health challenges. The extent to which these issues impact the health of informal Chilean e-waste workers is unclear and warrants further research.

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