Abstract
BackgroundInformal recycling of electronic waste (e-waste) releases particulate matter (PM) into the ambient air. Human exposure to PM has been reported to induce adverse effects on cardiovascular health. However, the impact of PM on the cardiovascular health of e-waste recyclers in Ghana has not been studied. Although intake of micronutrient-rich diet is known to modify these PM-induced adverse health effects, no data are available on the relationship between micronutrient status of e-waste recyclers and the reported high-level exposure to PM. We therefore investigated whether the intake of micronutrient-rich diets ameliorates the adverse effects of ambient exposure to PM2.5 on blood pressure (BP).MethodsThis study was conducted among e-waste and non-e-waste recyclers from March 2017 to October 2018. Dietary micronutrient (Fe, Ca, Mg, Se, Zn, and Cu) intake was assessed using a 2-day 24-h recall. Breathing zone PM2.5 was measured with a real-time monitor. Cardiovascular indices such as systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and pulse pressure (PP) were measured using a sphygmomanometer. Ordinary least-squares regression models were used to estimate the joint effects of ambient exposure to PM2.5 and dietary micronutrient intake on cardiovascular health outcomes.ResultsFe was consumed in adequate quantities, while Ca, Se, Zn, Mg, and Cu were inadequately consumed among e-waste and non-e-waste recyclers. Dietary Ca, and Fe intake was associated with reduced SBP and PP of e-waste recyclers. Although PM2.5 levels were higher in e-waste recyclers, exposures in the control group also exceeded the WHO 24-h guideline value (25 μg/m3). Exposure to 1 μg/m3 of PM2.5 was associated with an increased heart rate (HR) among e-waste recyclers. Dietary Fe intake was associated with a reduction in systolic blood pressure levels of e-waste recyclers after PM exposure.ConclusionsConsistent adequate dietary Fe intake was associated with reduced effects of PM2.5 on SBP of e-waste recyclers overtime. Nonetheless, given that all other micronutrients are necessary in ameliorating the adverse effects of PM on cardiovascular health, nutrition-related policy dialogues are required. Such initiatives would help educate informal e-waste recyclers and the general population on specific nutrients of concern and their impact on the exposure to ambient air pollutants.
Highlights
Informal recycling of electronic waste (e-waste) releases particulate matter (PM) into the ambient air
Consistent adequate dietary Fe intake was associated with reduced effects of PM2.5 on systolic BP (SBP) of e-waste recyclers overtime
This study addressed a critical knowledge gap regarding the population of e-waste recyclers by answering the following questions: (1) Do ewaste recyclers consume micronutrient-rich diets? (2) Is there a relationship between dietary micronutrient intake and blood pressure (BP)? (3) Does dietary micronutrient intake modify the effect of PM2.5 on BP among e-waste recyclers at Agbogbloshie and Madina-Zongo controls? This study estimated PM exposures in the breathing zone of informal e-waste recyclers at Agbogbloshie relative to non-e-waste workers at Madina Zongo, the control site
Summary
Informal recycling of electronic waste (e-waste) releases particulate matter (PM) into the ambient air. The informal-level recycling of electronic waste (e-waste), largely using crude methods, is known to release pollutants; mainly, particulate matter (PM) into the ambient air. Other components of the pollutants include nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), heavy metals, rare earth metals and persistent organic compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Such environmental pollutants, when inhaled over time, present severe pulmonary and cardiovascular health threats [3,4,5]. Particulate matter of diameter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5) in particular induces endothelial dysfunction characterized by impaired vasodilation, proinflammatory and prothrombotic responses [13, 14] This may augment systemic vascular resistance, leading to the development of hypertension
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