title: Increased levels of lead in the blood and frequencies of lymphocytic micronucleated binucleated cells among workers from an electronic-waste recycling site.
abstract: In recent years, adverse health effects of chemicals from electronic waste (e-waste) have been reported. However, little is known about the genotoxic effects of chemicals in e-waste. In the present study, air concentrations of the toxic metals at e-waste and control sites were analyzed using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Levels of toxic metals (lead, copper and cadmium) in blood and urine were detected using atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 48 exposed individuals and 56 age- and sex-matched controls. The frequencies of lymphocytic micronucleated binucleated cells (MNBNCs) were determined using a cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay. Results indicated that blood lead levels were significantly higher in the exposed group (median: 11.449 μg/dL, 1st/3rd quartiles: 9.351-14.410 μg/dL) than in the control group (median: 9.104 μg/dL, 1st/3rd quartiles: 7.275-11.389 μg/dL). The exposed group had higher MNBNCs frequencies (median: 4.0 per thousand, 1st/3rd quartiles: 2.0-7.0 per thousand) compared with the controls (median: 1.0 per thousand, 1st/3rd quartiles: 0.0-2.0 per thousand). Additionally, MNBNCs frequencies and blood lead levels were positively correlated (r = 0.254, p<0.01). Further analysis suggested that a history of working with e-waste was a predictor for increased blood lead levels and MNBNCs frequencies in the subjects. The results suggest that both the living and occupational environments at the e-waste site may be risk factors for increased MNBNCs frequencies among those who are exposed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: An M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Lan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Qiang Z
authors.initials: QZ
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Huan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Bin J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Pu
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Zeng Y
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Ping L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ying G
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Sheng
authors.forename: Mo J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Chun T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Min X
authors.initials: MX
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yuan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D002104:Cadmium / Q000652:urine; D059029:Electronic Waste; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D048629:Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018505:Waste Management
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D009153:Mutagens; D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead