与废弃电气和电子设备(电子废物)的非正式回收相关的高毒性有机卤素化合物的形成和环境释放在全球许多发展中国家的电子废物堆放/回收场所(EWRS)中是一个日益严重的问题。我们选择了一个横断面研究设计,以测量在非洲最大的EWRS之一工作的个人对多氯二苯并对二恶英(PCDD/Fs)和多氯联苯(PCBs)的内部暴露,位于Agbogbloshie,阿克拉,加纳,在阿克拉郊区的控制下,没有直接接触EWRS活动。在21个年龄匹配的男性暴露个体的全血样本中(平均年龄:24.7岁,SD6.0)和21名男性对照(平均年龄:24.4岁,SD5.7)确定了17种PCDD/F同源物。此外,在39名暴露者(平均年龄:27.5岁,SD11.7)和19未暴露(平均年龄:26.8岁,SD9.7)患者。除了健康检查,生物识别和人口统计数据,居住和职业史,使用标准化问卷记录职业暴露和工作条件.在暴露的小组中,中位PCDD/F浓度为6.18pg/g脂质基础WHO2005-TEq(范围:2.1-42.7),与4.60pg/g脂质基础WHO2005-TEq的对照组(范围:1.6-11.6)相比,明显更高.2,3,7,8-四CDD的浓度不同,三个HexaCDD和所有10个PCDF同源物,表明燃烧模式。使用多元回归分析,暴露于EWRS活动是PCDD/F暴露的最重要决定因素。暴露组中指示同源物#138、#153和#180的PCB水平中位数分别为0.011、0.019和0.008μg/l全血(范围:0.002-0.18、0.003-0.16、0.002-0.078),令人惊讶的是,对照组显著高于对照组(0.037、0.062和0.022;范围:0.005-0.46、0.010-0.46、0.004-0.21)。在多元回归方法中,电子废物相关活动对内部PCB暴露没有积极影响,而是生活在阿克拉的时间。对于一个历史上从未生产或使用过PCB的国家来说,内部PCB暴露尤其值得注意。EWRS活动对在AgbogbloshieEWRS周围工作和生活的个人的有机卤素化合物暴露的影响,而居住在阿克拉的未参与电子垃圾活动的人的PCB暴露量惊人地高,需要进一步调查。
The formation and environmental release of highly toxic organohalogen compounds associated with informal recycling of waste electric and electronic equipment (e-waste) is a growing problem at e-waste dumps/recycling sites (EWRSs) in many developing countries worldwide. We chose a cross-sectional study design to measure the internal exposure to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) as well as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) of individuals working on one of the largest EWRSs of Africa, located at Agbogbloshie, Accra, Ghana, and in controls from a suburb of Accra without direct exposure to EWRS activities. In whole blood samples of 21 age matched male exposed individuals (mean age: 24.7 years, SD 6.0) and 21 male controls (mean age: 24.4 years, SD 5.7) 17 PCDD/F congeners were determined. Moreover three indicator PCB congeners (#138, #153 and #180) were measured in blood of 39 exposed (mean age: 27.5 years, SD 11.7) and 19 non-exposed (mean age: 26.8 years, SD 9.7) patients. Besides a health examination, biometric and demographic data, residential and occupational history, occupational exposures and working conditions were recorded using a standardized questionnaire. In the exposed group, median PCDD/F-concentrations were 6.18 pg/g lipid base WHO2005-TEq (range: 2.1-42.7) and significantly higher compared to the control group with 4.60 pg/g lipid base WHO2005-TEq (range: 1.6-11.6). Concentrations were different for 2,3,7,8-TetraCDD, three HexaCDD and all 10 PCDF congeners, indicating a combustion pattern. Using a multivariate regression analysis exposure to EWRS activities was the most important determinant for PCDD/F exposure. Median PCB levels for the indicator congeners #138, #153 and #180 were 0.011, 0.019 and 0.008 μg/l whole blood (ranges: 0.002-0.18, 0.003-0.16, 0.002-0.078) in the exposed group and, surprisingly, significantly higher in the controls (0.037, 0.062 and 0.022; ranges: 0.005-0.46, 0.010-0.46, 0.004-0.21). In a multivariate regression approach e-waste related activities had no positive influence on internal PCB exposure, but rather the time living in Accra. The internal PCB exposure is in particular notable for a country where PCBs have historically never been produced or used. The impact of EWRS activities on organohalogen compound exposure of individuals working at and living in the surroundings of the Agbogbloshie EWRS, and the surprisingly high PCB exposure of people living in Accra not involved in e-waste activities require further investigation.