Relationships between respiratory function disorders and serum copper levels in copper mineworkers

Occupational status and chronic respiratory diseases: a cross-sectional study based on the data of the Rafsanjan Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible connection between occupational status and chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) among the Iranian population.

METHODS

The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 9934 individuals aged 35-70 years enrolled in the Rafsanjan Cohort Study (RCS), a component of the Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in Iran (PERSIAN). Detailed questionnaires were used to collect information on various factors, such as occupation, sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, anthropometric measurements, physical activity, cigarette and hookah smoking, opium use, and alcohol consumption. The association between occupational class and CRD was evaluated using logistic regression models for rare events.

RESULTS

In the present study, 4624 (46.55%) participants were male, and 5310 (53.45%) were female. The prevalence of CRD among all participants was 2.61%. Occupational activities were classified into two categories: In class I, the largest group was the homemaker and unemployment category (41.73%), followed by self-employment (34.39%), employment (13.03%), and retired individuals (10.84%). In class II, there were pistachio farmers (12.61%), copper miners (3.62%), and others in various occupations (83.76%). Subjects with CRD were significantly more likely to be homemakers, unemployed, elderly, female, less educated, and obese. There was no significant relationship between CRD and job type/occupational status after adjusting for some potential confounding variables.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no significant relationship between CRD and job type/occupational status. However, longitudinal studies are needed to assess the impact of job type/occupational status on the risk of CRD.

Blood multiple heavy metals exposure and lung function in young adults: A prospective Cohort study in China

The content of single heavy metal in blood is associated with lung function decline, but there is little evidence on the joint effect of multiple heavy metals on lung function. To explore whether heavy metal mixture exposure is associated with lung function reduction among young adults. The study based on a cohort of 518 students recruited from a college in Shandong, China. We measured their lung function and blood heavy metal concentrations. The BKMR model was used to analyse the association between blood heavy metals mixture levels and lung function, and to identify the critical single heavy metal which contributes most to joint effects. As the sensitivity analysis, we used quantile g-computation model and GLM to explore the joint effect and independent effects of heavy metals. Our findings revealed a significant reduction of FVC and FEV1 levels after exposure to heavy metals mixture. An IQR increase in Cu was associated with a 0.079 L and 0.083 L decrease in FEV1 and FVC, respectively. And an IQR increase in Fe was associated with 0.036 L higher FEV1 and 0.033 L higher FVC. For adults, reducing blood heavy metals concentration might be an effective intervention to protect lung function.

Public Health Burden of E-waste in Africa

BACKGROUND

Environmental impacts from informal e-waste recycling are increasing in Africa. E-waste handling and disposal exposes people to highly toxic cocktails of heavy metals, brominated flame retardants, non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PBDF) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCB). Most of these compounds are endocrine disrupters, and most are neuro- and immune-toxic as well.

OBJECTIVES

Informal e-waste recycling in African countries is a serious public health threat. The present paper reviews the extent of e-waste exposure in Africa and related impacts on people, animals and the environment.

METHODS

Four electronic databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar) were searched for publications related to e-waste and human health in Africa. Search terms included 'e-waste in Africa', 'e-waste in developing nations', 'public health and e-waste', 'environment and e-waste', and 'e-waste and health'.

DISCUSSION

Elevated levels of e-waste pollutants in water, air, soil, dust, fish, vegetable, and human matrices (blood, urine, breast milk) indicate that not only are e-waste workers at risk from exposure to e-waste, but the general population and future generations as well. Headache, cough and chest pain, stomach discomfort, miscarriage, abnormal thyroid and reproductive function, reduction of gonadal hormone, and cancer are common complaints of those involved with the processing of e-waste.

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence presented from the reviewed studies illustrates the extent of the human health and environmental risks posed by e-waste in Africa. There is a need for a regulatory framework including specific legislation, infrastructure and protocols to safely recycle and dispose of e-waste in sub-Saharan African countries.

COMPETING INTERESTS

The authors declare no competing financial interests.