Arsenic burden in e-waste recycling workers – A cross-sectional study at the Agbogbloshie e-waste recycling site, Ghana. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Jennie; Bertram, Jens; Schettgen, Thomas; Heitland, Peter; Fischer, Damian; Seidu, Fatima; Felten, Michael; Kraus, Thomas; Fobil, Julius N.; Kaifie, Andrea
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 261(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Heavy metal -- Exposure -- Contamination -- Public health -- Environment -- Occupation; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127712
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: The export of e-waste from industrialized to developing countries has led to the formation of a large-scale informal e-waste recycling sector in Accra, Ghana. During recycling processes, workers are exposed to several hazardous substances, such as heavy metals. As a common component of e-waste, inorganic arsenic can be released during e-waste recycling processes. The aim of this study was to assess the exposure to inorganic arsenic species in e-waste workers compared to a control group. N = 84 e-waste workers and n = 94 control subjects were included in this analysis. Inorganic arsenic species were determined in urine samples using HPLC-ICP-MS. E-waste workers showed higher median concentrations of As(III), As(V), MMA, DMA and the sum of inorganic arsenic in comparison to the control group. More than 80% of the e-waste workers exceeded the acceptable concentration (14 μg/L), which was significantly higher in comparison to the control group (70%). The tolerable concentration (40 μg/L) was exceeded in 17.2% of the participants, meaning a statistically relevant risk of developing cancer due to arsenic exposure throughout their (working) life. In conclusion, the exposure to inorganic arsenic is not only a problem of informal e-waste recycling, but a major public health concern that needs further investigation. Highlights: E-waste workers showed higher levels of inorganic arsenic compared to controls. Burners had highest levels of inorganic arsenic in the e-waste group. Inorganic arsenic concentrations in almost all workers exceeded the acceptable risk.