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

Autor: Püschel P; Institute of Occupational and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen Technical University, Aachen, Germany., Agbeko KM; University of Ghana School of Public Health, Legon, Accra, Ghana., Amoabeng-Nti AA; University of Ghana School of Public Health, Legon, Accra, Ghana., Arko-Mensah J; University of Ghana School of Public Health, Legon, Accra, Ghana., Bertram J; Institute of Occupational and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen Technical University, Aachen, Germany., Fobil JN; University of Ghana School of Public Health, Legon, Accra, Ghana., Waldschmidt S; Institute of Occupational and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen Technical University, Aachen, Germany., Löhndorf K; Institute of Occupational and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen Technical University, Aachen, Germany., Schettgen T; Institute of Occupational and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen Technical University, Aachen, Germany., Lakemeyer M; Lead Works Berzelius Stolberg GmbH, Stolberg, Germany., Morrison A; Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom., Küpper T; Institute of Occupational and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen Technical University, Aachen, Germany. Electronic address: tkuepper@ukaachen.de.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: International journal of hygiene and environmental health [Int J Hyg Environ Health] 2024 Jun; Vol. 259, pp. 114375. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Apr 10.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114375
Abstrakt: 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).
(Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier GmbH.. All rights reserved.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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