From: Bridging the knowledge gap! Health outcomes in informal e-waste workers
Study design, exposure, setting, time | Population/ participants | Measurements, Examination | Health outcome | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hormonal health | ||||
(incl. Thyroid function, lipid metabolism and fertility/reproductive systems) | ||||
Eguchi et al. [2015] | Cross-sectional: exposed e-waste worker (EWW) vs unexposed control group (CG), Vietnam, 2010–2011 | Overall n = 111 participants 77 EWW (45 females, 32 males) 34 residents as CG (22 females, 12 males) | Thyroid hormones (TH) in serum samples Personal interview incl. Demographic-, health- and diet information | TH-concentrations were within normal limits, although TT4, TT3 and FT3 concentrations in serum samples from the e-waste recycling site (Bui Dau) were significantly lower than at the reference site (Duong Quang). Significant gender differences in the TH levels with higher levels of TT4, TT3 in women were found. |
Zheng et al. [2017] | Cross-sectional: exposed e-waste worker (EWW), South China, 2011 | 79 EWW (36 females, 33 males) | Circulating THs (incl. TT4, FT4, TT3, FT3, TSH) in serum samples Physical examination & questionnaire incl. Health, occupational & demographic information | TH concentrations in EWW were generally within the population reference ranges and no significant gender differences in the TH levels, except for FT3 were found. Multiple linear regression coefficients for a significant association between specific circulating TH levels and OCs were found for TT3 & BDE47, TT3 & BDE85. |
Wang, H et al. [2010] | Cross-sectional: exposed e-waste worker (EWW) vs non-occupational exposed group/residents (R) vs unexposed control group (CG), China, November–December 2008 | Overall n = 442 236 EWW from 3 E-waste sites 89 residents (R) 117 residents as CG | THs (incl. TT4, FT4, TT3, FT3, TSH) in serum samples Questionnaire incl. Health- and dietary information, demographic- and occupational history) | Residents and EWW had significantly lower serum T3, fT3, fT4 levels than the control group. TSH concentrations were significantly lower within the EWW compared to controls. |
Eguchi, A et al. [2014] | Cross-sectional: exposed e-waste worker (EWW) vs unexposed control group (CG), Vietnam, January 2010–January 2011 | Overall n = 131 participants 83 EWW (48 females (2 pregnant), 35 males) 48 unexposed as CG (33 females (2 pregnant), 15 males) | THs (incl. TT4, FT4, TT3, FT3, TSH) in serum samples Interview incl. Demographic-, health- and diet information, pregnancy status | Concentrations of TT3 and FT3 were significantly lower in EWW than in the CG. |
Yuan et al. [2008] | Cross-sectional: exposed e-waste worker (EWW) vs unexposed control group (CG), China, study period not reported | Overall n = 49 participants 23 EWW (7 females, 16 males) 26 farmers as CG (11 females, 15 males) | TSH levels in serum samples Questionnaire incl. Personal medical history, smoking history, alcohol consumption, occupational history | Concentrations of TSHs in EWW were significantly higher than in the CG. A multivariate logistic regression analysis of risk factors showed history of engaging in e-wastes and sex to be an independent predictor of serum TSH levels. |
Igharo et al. [2020] | Cross-sectional: exposed e-waste worker (EWW) vs unexposed control group (CG), Nigeria, study period not reported | Overall n = 104 participants 63 male EWW 41 male residents as CG | Questionnaire Physical examination Blood samples with concentrations of HDL-, LDL-, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and atherogenic coefficient (AC) & -index of plasma (AIP), Castelli’s Risk Index (CRI-I & CRI-II) | Lipid profiles especially TC and LDL cholesterol were significantly higher in EWW compared to the CG. The atherogenic indices such as AC, CRI-I & CRI-II in EWW were significantly higher than in the CG. |
Zhao et al. [2021] | Cross-sectional: exposed e-waste worker (EWW), southeast of China, 2018 | 76 EWW (35 females, 41 males) | Questionnaire incl. Demographic and work information Blood samples with concentrations of THs, TC, TG | Biochemical parameters of the EWW such as TC, TG, serum fat content, TSH, FT3, FT4 are only listed in the supplementary material without reference values, control group or textual categorisation. |
Igharo et al. [2018] | Cross-sectional: exposed e-waste worker (EWW) vs unexposed control group (CG), Nigeria, 2014–2016 (some aspects were concluded in 2017) | Overall n = 104 participants 63 male EWW 41 male adults as CG | Serum samples with levels of fertility hormones LH, FSH, Testosterone (TESTO), Prolactin (PROL), Progesterone (PROG), Oestrogen (EST), Inhibin (INH) | Levels of male fertility hormones such as testosterone, progesterone, LH, FSH, prolactin and oestrogen were significantly lower, while inhibin was significantly higher in EWW compared to the CG. |
Wang, Y et al. [2018] | Cross-sectional: exposed resident e-waste worker (EWW) vs unexposed control group (CG), China, study period not reported | Overall n = 267 participants 146 male EWW 121 males as CG | Questionnaire incl. Socio-demographics, information about exposure duration & sexual abstinence Semen samples: assessment of motility | Analysis of semen quality showed significantly lower volume of semen and total number of sperm, while the motility rate was less and the abnormality rate higher in EWW compared to controls. A multivariate, logistic regression analysis of risk factors for sperm motility rate, abnormality rate and total sperm count showed that exposure duration was a predominant risk factor. |