Abstract
ObjectivesChildren's health problems caused by the electronic waste (e-waste) lead exposure in China remains. To assess children's blood lead levels (BLLs) in Guiyu of China and investigate risk factors of children's elevated BLLs in Guiyu.Material and Methods842 children under 11 years of age from Guiyu and Haojiang were enrolled in this population-based study during 2011–2013. Participants completed a lifestyle and residential environment questionnaire and their physical growth indices were measured, and blood samples taken. Blood samples were tested to assess BLLs. Children's BLLs between the two groups were compared and factors associated with elevated BLLs among Guiyu children were analyzed by group Lasso logistic regression model.ResultsChildren living in Guiyu had significant higher BLLs (7.06 µg/dL) than the quantity (5.89 µg/dL) of Haojiang children (P<0.05). Subgroup analyses of BLLs exceeding 10 µg/dL showed the proportion (24.80%) of high-level BLLs for Guiyu children was greater than that (12.84%) in Haojiang (P<0.05). Boys had greater BLLs than girls, irrespectively of areas (P<0.05). The number of e-waste piles or recycling workshops around the house (odds ratio, 2.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.37 to 3.87) significantly contributed to the elevated BLLs of children in Guiyu, and girls had less risk (odds ratio, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.83) of e-waste lead exposure than boys.ConclusionsThis analysis reinforces the importance of shifting e-waste recycling piles or workshops to non-populated areas as part of a comprehensive response to e-waste lead exposure control in Guiyu. To correct the problem of lead poisoning in children in Guiyu should be a long-term mission.
Highlights
Discarded electrical and electronic equipment and components, known as electronic waste (e-waste), have brought an emerging impact on global environment due to that they are the most rapidly increasing sources of waste worldwide [1]
The number of e-waste piles or recycling workshops around the house significantly contributed to the elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) of children in Guiyu, and girls had less risk of e-waste lead exposure than boys. This analysis reinforces the importance of shifting e-waste recycling piles or workshops to non-populated areas as part of a comprehensive response to e-waste lead exposure control in Guiyu
The adverse effects of exposure to lead have been understood, significant concerns remain about risk factors associated with elevated BLLs in children living in China
Summary
Discarded electrical and electronic equipment and components, known as electronic waste (e-waste), have brought an emerging impact on global environment due to that they are the most rapidly increasing sources of waste worldwide [1]. The globalization of ewaste has certainly adverse environmental and health impacts, bringing an elevated exposure to hazardous substances to workers who involving daily e-waste recycling activities. The activities of ewaste recycling made the involved population exposed to various chemical contaminations, putting them at risk of taking in or ingesting of contaminated water, air, and food supplies in their living areas [3]. It is well characterized the children aged below 7 years are vulnerable to lead poisoning mainly due to their immature central nervous systems [4,5,6]. The adverse effects of exposure to lead have been understood, significant concerns remain about risk factors associated with elevated BLLs in children living in China
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