Elevated serum polybrominated diphenyl ethers and thyroid-stimulating hormone associated with lymphocytic micronuclei in Chinese workers from an E-waste dismantling site.
In this study, we recruited 49 subjects from one village close to an electronic waste (e-waste) site (exposed group) and another located 50 km away from the e-waste site (control group). We found that serum levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (median PBDEs, 382 ng/g lipid weight; range, 77-8452 ng/g lipid weight) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (median TSH, 1.79 microIU/mL; range, 0.38-9.03 microIU/mL) and frequencies of micro-nucleated binucleated cells (MNed BNC; median, 5% per hundred; range, 0-96% per hundred) were significantly higher in the exposed group than in the control group (158 ng/g, range of 18-436 ng/g, and p < 0.05; 1.15 microIU/mL, range of 0.48-2.09, and p < 0.01; and 0% per hundred, range of 0-5% per hundred, and p < 0.01, respectively). A history of working with e-waste was significantly associated with increased MNed BNC frequencies (odds ratio (OR), 38.85; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1-1358.71, p = 0.044), independent of years of local residence, a perceived risk factor. However, there was no association between PBDEs exposure and oxidative DNA damage. Therefore, the exposure to PBDEs at the e-waste site may have an effect on the levels of TSH and genetoxic damage among these workers, but this needs to be validated in large studies.
Yuan
Jing
J
Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, The MOE Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, People's Republic of China. jyuan@tjh.tjmu.edu.cn
Chen
Lan
L
Chen
Duohong
D
Guo
Huan
H
Bi
Xinhui
X
Ju
Ying
Y
Jiang
Pu
P
Shi
Jibin
J
Yu
Zhiqiang
Z
Yang
Jin
J
Li
Liping
L
Jiang
Qi
Q
Sheng
Guoying
G
Fu
Jiamo
J
Wu
Tangchun
T
Chen
Xuemin
X
D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D003849:Deoxyguanosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000652:urine; D004581:Electronics; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000097:blood* / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D048629:Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D010647:Phenyl Ethers / Q000097:blood* / Q000633:toxicity; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls / Q000097:blood* / Q000633:toxicity; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood*; D014866:Waste Products
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D005411:Flame Retardants; D010647:Phenyl Ethers; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls; D014866:Waste Products; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D003849:Deoxyguanosine; D005978:Glutathione