Blood and Urine Heavy Metal Level in E-Waste and Non-E-Waste Workers

Advances in technology have led to a significant rise in electronic waste. The rapid turnover of devices and improper disposal can pose potential risks to health of waste recycling workers. This cross-sectional study measured heavy metal exposure between informal e-waste dismantling workers in Thailand and compared the exposure with those in non-e-waste workers. Blood samples were collected using a Capitainer B device and analysed for lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. In addition, participants provided urine samples which were analysed for arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and nickel (Ni) using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry.

176 people took part including 128 e-waste workers and 48 non-e-waste workers. The most dismantled items were fans and refrigerators, and the main tasks involved sorting, taking apart, and separating e-waste materials. Blood lead (Pb), but not cadmium, levels were higher in e-waste workers with median levels (IQR) of 88.9 µg/L (38.2–209.6 µg/L), compared to non-e-waste workers with a median (IQR) of 36.5 µg/L (15.0–70.7 µg/L). This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The median level was approximately twofold higher, with increased variability and several elevated values. Approximately 28% of e-waste workers exceeded the ACGIH BEI limit of 200 µg/L. In contrast, there were no statistically significant difference in urine metal levels between e-waste and non-e-waste workers.

These findings suggest that e-waste workers are exposed particularly to Pb and suggest that by raising safety awareness, reducing hazards, and promoting safe practices may help protect informal e-waste communities