Liver and Immune Function among E-Waste Recycling Workers at the Agbogbloshie E-Waste Processing Site in Accra

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Electronic waste contains reusable components and precious metals, but recycling to retrieve these components could lead to the release of toxic substances into the environment, which could negatively impact on human health. Electronic waste recycling activities at Agbogbloshie are very informal, and workers use manual dismantling and open-air burning to retrieve valuable parts, which also exposes them to toxic substances such as heavy metals, organic toxins, dioxin, furans and fumes of metals. Although studies have been conducted at this dumpsite and shown increased levels of these contaminants in both environment media and urine of e-waste workers, none has looked at liver and immune function among e-waste workers. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess and compare immune status/liver function indices with heavy metals (Pb, As and Hg) levels among different categories of e-waste workers at the Agbogbloshie e-waste recycling/dumpsite. METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at Agbogbloshie among e-waste workers. Levels of heavy metals in blood were analyzed using an atomic absorption Spectrophotometer and immune/haematological and liver function indices were analyzed in the laboratory of the University of Ghana hospital. RESULTS: Overall, some e-waste workers had elevated levels of liver biochemical factors; AST, ALT and GGT (7.5%, 12.5% and 10.0% respectively). Dismantlers had the highest mean serum levels of AST, ALT and GGT (37.48±14.45[U/L], 31.69±11.74[U/L] and 46.39±46.92[U/L] respectively). The mean AST level difference among the groups was significant (p=0.027). Dismantlers had the highest prevalence of abnormalities in

three (Hb-40%, WBC-70% and granulocyte-100%) of the six immune/haematological parameters measured. Majority of the Sorters (9/10, 90%) had significantly higher abnormal monocytes levels as compared to the other groups (p=0.001). Most of the e-waste workers had abnormal granulocyte levels (82.5%) with all the Dismantlers recording abnormal levels. The total concentrations of heavy metals in blood were Pb (10.92 μg/L ±8.88 μg/L) and Hg (43.74μg/L ±72.05μg/L). Arsenic levels were below detection limit for all samples. CONCLUSION: Finally, there was no statistically significant association found between blood levels of heavy metals (Hg and Pb) and liver biochemical function or immune/haematological parameters in this study even though occupational exposure to toxic/heavy metals especially Hg can lead to abnormal liver and immune function.