Blood lead and cadmium levels of e-waste dismantling workers from inhalation exposure to PM2.5 and PM2.5-10, Buriram, Thailand

Abstract

This research aims to investigate blood lead and cadmium levels in associated with inhalation exposure of Pb and Cd in PM2.5 and PM2.5-10 of the e-waste dismantling workers and non-e-waste dismantling workers in Daeng Yai sub-district, Ban Mai Chaiyapot district, and Ban Pao sub-district, Puttatisong district, Buriram, Thailand, during May to August 2019. Blood samples were collected on the next day after the air sampling. Pb and Cd in blood and air samples were quantitatively analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The mean blood lead levels of e-waste workers from Daeng Yai sub-district, and Ban Pao sub-district, and non-e-waste workers were 5.63±2.86, 3.92±1.13 and 2.84±0.72 µg/dl, respectively. The mean blood cadmium levels were found at 0.97±0.43 and 1.12±0.43 µg/l for e-waste workers both sub-districts in respectively, and 1.15±0.38 µg/l for non-e-waste workers. The blood lead levels of e-waste workers were significantly higher than those of non-e-waste workers (p<0.05), while there was no significant difference between the three target groups. The concentration of Pb in PM2.5 exposed by e-waste workers (18.95±23.12 ng/m3) was found significantly higher than those of non-e-waste workers (12.69±37.40 ng/m3). For Cd, the mean concentration of Cd in PM2.5-10 exposed by e-waste workers (2.03±1.27 ng/m3) were significantly higher than those of non-e-waste worker (1.06±0.99 ng/m3) (p < 0.05). While the mean concentration of Pb in PM2.5-10 and of Cd in PM2.5 between all groups were not significantly different. Pb concentration in PM2.5 was positively and significantly associated with blood lead levels (r = 0.211, p=0.050). E-waste dismantling occupation was a significantly associated risk factor of blood lead levels. Moreover, gender as a host factor could influence blood lead and cadmium levels. In addition, the workers who wore mask, gloves, and sneakers as personal protective equipment (PPE) could be likely found to pose a lower risk of exposure to lead and cadmium and also lower blood lead and cadmium levels.