Exposure to Particulate Matter and Respiratory Health among Electronic Waste Workers at Agbogbloshie, Accra, Ghana

Abstract

PDS 63: Chemicals and metals: health effects, Exhibition Hall (PDS), Ground floor, August 27, 2019, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Background/Aim: Particulate matter (PM) exposure has been linked to informal electronic waste (e-waste) recycling activities, and PM inhalation has been associated with several respiratory health problems, including increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms and lung function changes. This study investigated the association between measured personal exposure levels of PM (1 and 2.5 µm) and the respiratory health of e-waste workers at the large Agbogbloshie, Ghana, site. Methods: 100 e-waste workers engaged in informal e-waste recycling at Agbogbloshie and 51 control subjects from Madina–Zongo were recruited and studies from March to April 2017. Each participant provided self-reported respiratory symptoms, diseases and work and home respiratory exposures. Lung function, including forced vital volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and ratio (FEV1/FVC), was measured using a portable spirometer (Easy One) and personal breathing zone PM exposures (I and 2.5µm) were measured using an optical instrument (MetOne Aerocet 831). Multiple regression analysis was performed to test the association between the PM and lung function measures. Results: Higher mean concentrations of PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 were recorded among the e-waste recyclers (41± 2 and 84 ±7) compared to the control group (14 ± 1 and 33 ± 2). Overall, burners recorded the highest mean concentrations of PM1, PM2.5 and PM10, (49 ± 6 and 112 ±18) compared to dismantlers (34 ±3 and 54 ±7). No significant association was found between the PM (I, and 2.5µm) concentrations and lung function (FEV1) measures (-0.25, P=0.806; 0.41, P=0,685). Conclusion: While e-waste workers had significantly higher exposure to PM in the breathing zone, associations with lung function measurements were not significant. This may be due to the short term (4-hours) measurements of PM among the workers. PM exposure patterns and e-waste tasks are being studied over time, to better understand the associated respiratory health effects.