Exposure to Heavy Metals in Electronic Waste Recycling in Thailand.
Chalermkhwan KuntaweeKraichat TantrakarnapaYanin LimpanontSaranath LawpoolsriAthit PhetrakRachaneekorn MingkhwanSuwalee WorakhunpisetPublished in: International journal of environmental research and public health (2020)
Electronic waste recycling can release heavy metals into the environment and cause adverse health effects. We assessed the association between exposure to heavy metals from electronic waste recycling and the prevalence of asthma in a nested case-control study of 51 subject pairs with and without asthma. House dust, airborne dust, blood, and urine were collected from residents of two neighboring sites in Ubon Ratchathani province, Thailand. Multiple electronic waste-handling activities are conducted in the first site, while the second site is mostly agricultural. Concentrations of chromium, mercury, nickel, and lead in house dust and airborne dust were higher in the electronic waste-handling site (p < 0.05), but levels of exposure were similar in subjects with and without asthma. Although we did not find an association between exposure to these metals and the prevalence of asthma, control measures should be implemented to reduce health risks from long-term exposure to heavy metals.
Keyphrases
- heavy metals
- health risk assessment
- health risk
- risk assessment
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- sewage sludge
- lung function
- human health
- allergic rhinitis
- particulate matter
- risk factors
- south africa
- air pollution
- cystic fibrosis
- emergency department
- polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
- gold nanoparticles
- carbon nanotubes