Arnold Schecter1, Jenevieve Kincaid, Hoang Trong Quynh, Joel Lanceta, Hanh Thi Tuyet Tran, Riley Crandall, William Shropshire, Linda S Birnbaum. 1. University of Louisville School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and School of Public Health and Information Sciences, Louisville, Kentucky (Dr Schecter, Mr Crandall); Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (Dr Kincaid); Centre for Ecologically Sustainable Agriculture, Hanoi, Vietnam (Dr Quynh); University of Louisville School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky (Dr Lanceta); Hanoi School of Public Health, Hanoi, Vietnam (Dr Tran); University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, Texas (Mr Shropshire); and National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (Dr Birnbaum).
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Electronic waste is increasing. It is frequently recycled in developing countries. This is the first study to report metals, polybrominated diphenyl-ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (p,p'-DDT), and p,p'-DDE concentrations in female e-waste workers. METHODS: Female Vietnamese recyclers and non-recyclers were studied. Metals and halogenated organics were measured in blood and urine, and compared with levels in women in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). RESULTS: Recyclers had higher serum PBDE than nonrecyclers. PCB-138/158 and PCB-153 were higher in 18 to less than 38-year-old nonrecyclers. Median urinary arsenic in both cohorts was six to seven-fold higher than NHANES. Median lead in blood and urine was 40% to 60% higher in recyclers than nonrecyclers. Lead in nonrecyclers was four to six-fold higher than NHANES. Both cohorts had higher arsenic and mercury than NHANES. CONCLUSION: Occupational exposure to PBDEs and lead occurred in recyclers. Environmental exposure to arsenic, lead, and mercury occurred in both cohorts. Occupational and environmental remediation are recommended.
OBJECTIVE: Electronic waste is increasing. It is frequently recycled in developing countries. This is the first study to report metals, polybrominated diphenyl-ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (p,p'-DDT), and p,p'-DDE concentrations in female e-waste workers. METHODS: Female Vietnamese recyclers and non-recyclers were studied. Metals and halogenated organics were measured in blood and urine, and compared with levels in women in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). RESULTS: Recyclers had higher serum PBDE than nonrecyclers. PCB-138/158 and PCB-153 were higher in 18 to less than 38-year-old nonrecyclers. Median urinary arsenic in both cohorts was six to seven-fold higher than NHANES. Median lead in blood and urine was 40% to 60% higher in recyclers than nonrecyclers. Lead in nonrecyclers was four to six-fold higher than NHANES. Both cohorts had higher arsenic and mercury than NHANES. CONCLUSION: Occupational exposure to PBDEs and lead occurred in recyclers. Environmental exposure to arsenic, lead, and mercury occurred in both cohorts. Occupational and environmental remediation are recommended.
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