Endocrine disrupting metals lead to alteration in the  gonadal hormone levels in Nigerian e-waste workers

Osaretin Godwin Igharo; John I Anetor; Oladele Osibanjo; Humphrey Benedo Osadolor; Emmanuel C Odazie; Zedech Chukwuemelie Uche

doi:10.18051/UnivMed.2018.v37.65-74

Universa Medicina (Apr 2018)

Endocrine disrupting metals lead to alteration in the gonadal hormone levels in Nigerian e-waste workers

Osaretin Godwin Igharo,
John I Anetor,
Oladele Osibanjo,
Humphrey Benedo Osadolor,
Emmanuel C Odazie,
Zedech Chukwuemelie Uche

Affiliations

Osaretin Godwin Igharo: Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City
John I Anetor: Department of Chemical Pathology, Toxicology and Micronutrient Metabolism Unit, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan
Oladele Osibanjo: Department of Chemistry and Basel Convention Coordinating Centre for Training and Technology Transfer for the Africa Region, University of Ibadan, Oyo State
Humphrey Benedo Osadolor: Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City
Emmanuel C Odazie: Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City
Zedech Chukwuemelie Uche: Department of Chemical Pathology, Toxicology and Micronutrient Metabolism Unit, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18051/UnivMed.2018.v37.65-74
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 37, no. 1

Abstract

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BACKGROUND Electronic waste (e-waste) is known to contain thousands of toxic chemicals and metals, many of which have identified endocrine disruption potentials even at low blood concentrations resulting from occupational and environmental exposures. E-waste crude reprocessing in Nigeria is massive and a growing number of Nigerians are occupationally exposed. The present study aimed to determine changes in gonadal hormone levels associated with occupational crude e-waste reprocessing in Nigerian male e-waste workers. METHODS This cross-sectional study which was carried out in Benin City, South-South Nigeria recruited male e-waste workers (n=63); and apparently healthy non e-waste workers (n=41), as exposed and unexposed participants respectively. Male fertility hormones which includes luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone (TESTO) and prolactin (PROL); as well as progesterone (PROG), estrogen (EST) and inhibin (INH) were determined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods; whole blood levels of chromium, cadmium, arsenic and mercury were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. RESULTS Levels of TESTO, PROG, LH and FSH; as well as PROL and EST were significantly lower in e-waste workers compared with unexposed participants (p<0.05). In contrast, serum INH was significantly higher in e-waste exposed population compared with the unexposed. In addition, chromium correlated significantly and negatively with testosterone, progesterone and estrogen, while inhibin correlated positively with chromium. Similar correlation patterns were observed for cadmium, arsenic and mercury. CONCLUSION Nigerian e-waste workers experienced reduced levels of key gonadal hormones and this may be associated with occupational exposure to endocrine disrupting metals in e-waste.

Published in Universa Medicina

ISSN: 2407-2230 (Print); 1907-3062 (Online)
Publisher: Faculty of Medicine Trisakti University
Country of publisher: Indonesia
LCC subjects: Medicine
Website: https://univmed.org/ejurnal/index.php/medicina

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