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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Objective: The burden of disease associated with occupational exposure is ~6%. The recent EU circular economy policy, where the recycling of e-waste is included, is expected to increase the waste management/recycling sector. The e-waste stream contains a broad range of chemicals namely metals. Human biomonitoring by measurement of specific biomarkers in body fluids is considered an effective method of exposure surveillance. The present study, framed in the HBM4EU project, aimed to assess the exposure to metals of the e-waste management workers in Portugal. Methods: A cross-sectional study was developed in two e-waste management companies in Portugal. Thirty workers, aged 31-62 years, collected spot urine samples at the beginning and in the end of the workweek, pre-shift, and end-shift, respectively. A control group of 12 participants, aged 38-56 years, with administrative tasks outside the companies was included. Urine samples were analyzed for the determination of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg). Results are expressed as µg metal/g creatinine. Results: Results revealed that, except for Cr, all analyzed samples presented levels of Cd, Pb, and Hg above the limit of quantification. Median levels in the end-shift samples were 0.21, 0.43, and 12.70 µg/g crea for Cd, Hg and Pb, respectively. Significant differences between the exposed group and the control group were found only for urinary Pb levels (p< 0.05). Conclusions: This study increased the knowledge and understanding of how work practices translate into exposure. These data
contribute to the implementation of risk management measures intending to decrease the burden associated with exposure to chemicals in this occupational setting.
Description
Keywords
Occupational health Environmental health Exposure assessment E-waste management Chemicals Biomonitoring
Citation
Martins C, Ribeiro E, Oliveira K, Viegas S. Exposure to metals in the e-waste management industry. In: 3rd CHRC Annual Summit, NOVA Medical School, Lisbon (Portugal), November 3-4. 2022. Port J Public Health. 2023;41(Suppl 1):12.
Publisher
Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública