Lead exposure by E-waste disposal and recycling in Agbogbloshie, Ghana

IF 4.5 2区 医学 Q1 INFECTIOUS DISEASES International journal of hygiene and environmental health Pub Date : 2024-04-10 DOI:10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114375
P. Püschel , K.M. Agbeko , A.A. Amoabeng-Nti , J. Arko-Mensah , J. Bertram , J.N. Fobil , S. Waldschmidt , K. Löhndorf , T. Schettgen , M. Lakemeyer , A. Morrison , T. Küpper
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Abstract

Background

Agbogbloshie in Ghana is the world's biggest dumpsite for the informal recycling of electronic waste (e-waste). E-waste is dismantled by rudimentary methods without personal or environmental protection. Workers and occupants are exposed to lead. There are no data so far about the extent and the consequences. We therefore analyzed blood lead levels (BLL) and creatinine levels (CL).

Methods

Full blood samples and basic data (i.e. age, job, length of stay) were collected from dumpsite volunteers. BLL were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry; CL were assessed using the standard clinical laboratory procedures of Aachen Technical University. European BLL reference values were used as Ghana lacks its own. Statistical analysis was by non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney U test), with p < 0.05.

Results

Participants of both sexes (n = 327; 12–68 years; median age 23 years) were assessed. Most workers were aged <30 years. The collective's BLL was in pathological range for 77.7%; 14% had a BLL >10.0 μg/dl with symptoms consistent with high lead exposure including severe (6.5%) and intermediate (39%) renal disorder. BLL above 15.0 μg/dl were found in 5.9% of all workers which is the German threshold for those working with lead. Elevated CL in a pathological range were found in 254 participants. This is problematic as 75% of the lead entering the body is excreted via urine.

Conclusion

Most of our volunteers had pathological BLL and CL. Preventive strategies are necessary to reduce health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations (i.e. children, pregnant women).

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加纳 Agbogbloshie 电子废物处置和回收中的铅暴露
背景加纳的阿格博格布罗希是世界上最大的电子废物(电子垃圾)非正规回收垃圾场。电子废物是在没有个人或环境保护的情况下,用简陋的方法拆解的。工人和居民都会接触到铅。到目前为止,还没有关于其程度和后果的数据。因此,我们对血铅含量(BLL)和肌酐含量(CL)进行了分析。方法:收集垃圾场志愿者的全血样本和基本数据(即年龄、工作、逗留时间)。BLL 采用原子吸收光谱法测定;CL 采用亚琛工业大学的标准临床实验室程序进行评估。由于加纳缺乏自己的 BLL 参考值,因此使用了欧洲 BLL 参考值。统计分析采用非参数检验(曼-惠特尼 U 检验),P 值为 0.05。大多数工人的年龄为 30 岁。77.7%的人的铅中毒检测值在病理范围内;14%的人的铅中毒检测值为 10.0 μg/dl,并伴有与高铅暴露相符的症状,包括严重(6.5%)和中度(39%)肾功能紊乱。在所有工人中,有 5.9% 的人的 BLL 超过 15.0 μg/dl,这是德国对从事铅工作的工人规定的临界值。在 254 名参与者中发现 CL 升高,达到病理范围。这很成问题,因为进入人体的铅有 75% 通过尿液排出体外。有必要采取预防策略来降低健康风险,尤其是对弱势群体(如儿童、孕妇)。
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来源期刊
CiteScore
11.50
自引率
5.00%
发文量
151
审稿时长
22 days
期刊介绍: The International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health serves as a multidisciplinary forum for original reports on exposure assessment and the reactions to and consequences of human exposure to the biological, chemical, and physical environment. Research reports, short communications, reviews, scientific comments, technical notes, and editorials will be peer-reviewed before acceptance for publication. Priority will be given to articles on epidemiological aspects of environmental toxicology, health risk assessments, susceptible (sub) populations, sanitation and clean water, human biomonitoring, environmental medicine, and public health aspects of exposure-related outcomes.
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