RESUMO
Aim: This report aims to render a proposed concept model for cancer risk in Nigerian electronic waste exposure by making deductions from data on the assessment of Nigerians' exposure to toxic metals in e-waste, using biomarkers of exposure and genotoxicity to evaluate the risk of cancer development. Material and methods: In the cross-sectional study, 632 consenting participants, consisting of 381 e-waste workers (EW) and 120 environmental e-waste exposed participants (EEEP), age-matched with 131 unexposed participants (controls), were enrolled from Benin, Lagos and Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria. Levels of selected toxic metals in blood and essential metals in serum were determined using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Oxidative stress biomarkers, including malondialdehyde and uric acid (UA), and activities of enzymatic antioxidants [catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)], were determined in serum using standard methods like spectrophotometry. Genotoxicity biomarkers - wild-type tumour suppressor protein (wt-p53), 8-oxoguanine-DNA glycosylase (OGG1), and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG); glutathione (GSH); and tumour markers [prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and alpha-fetoprotein] - were determined in serum using ELISA. Micronucleus assay was carried out using microscopy. Data were analysed using ANOVA and Pearson's correlation coefficient at α0.05. Results: There was evidence indicating elevated levels of genotoxic toxic metals, decreased levels of genome protective metals, increased oxidative stress markers as well as reduced cellular antioxidants in both EW and EEEP compared to controls. Additionally, the levels of wt-p53 in EW and EEEP were lower than controls, while OGG1 activity in EEEP was higher. The PSA and alpha-fetoprotein in EW were more elevated than EEEP and controls, respectively. The MnPCE/1000PCE in EW was higher than EEEP and controls. Conclusion: The proposed schematic model could be adopted to illustrate cancer risk in Nigerian population exposed to electronic waste.
RESUMO
Aim: This study investigated the effects of e-waste occupational exposure on lipid profile and atherogenic indices in Waste Electrical and Electronic Workers in South-South Nigeria. Matrials and methods: Whole blood levels of lead and cadmium were analyzed using ICPMS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry). Total serum cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglycerides (TG) were determined using spectrophotometric method. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol value was calculated by the Friedewald equation using analyzed values of TC, HDL cholesterol and TG. Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) was calculated as log TG/HDLc, atherogenic coefficient (AC) as [(TC-HDLc)/HDLc], Castelli risk index (CRI-1) as (TC/HDLc) and CRI-II as (LDLc/HDLc). Results: Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, AC, CRI-1 and CRI-11 significantly increased in the e-waste exposed participants compared to the unexposed group. Significant positive correlations between lead and cadmium, cadmium and total cholesterol as well as between cadmium and LDL-cholesterol were observed Conclusion: Occupational exposure to e-waste borne chemicals may cause changes in lipid levels and increase risk of cardiovascular disease in the Nigerian e-waste workers included in the present study. The level of artisanal involvement in crude e-waste reprocessing should be considered critical in cardiovascular health risk assessment.
