Emerging public health threat of e-waste management: global and Indian perspective

Health Impact of Household Waste Burning in Khartoum State, Sudan

Background

Waste disposal and management is a global concern affecting both high- and low-income countries. This research assessed the health impact of burning household waste in Khartoum State, Sudan.

Methods

An online community-based cross-sectional study was implemented on a sample of 844 participants selected through a stratified random sampling technique across Khartoum State. The data were collected through a standardized pre tested online questionnaire. The data file was georeferenced through Google Earth Pro and analysed with SPSS 23 and ArcGIS 10.3. The data were summarized numerically and graphically. The appropriate frequency tables were used in ArcGIS to generate geographical distribution maps of household waste burning and predictive health risk maps of waste burning in Khartoum State. Statistical tests performed for association carried out were Chi-square and ANOVA. A binary regression analysis established the relationship between burning of household waste and its associated factors. All statistical tests were considered significant when p < 0.05.

Results

The practice of burning household waste was performed by 74.5% (619/831) of the participants with 50.8% (311/612) who reported burning the waste weekly. The health conditions related to household waste burning were predominately asthma (57.0%) and respiratory manifestations (38.0%). Of the ten contributing factors of health risks related to burning household waste, the two statistically significant were the frequency of waste collection (OR = 0.720, 95% [CI: 0.593-0.875], p = 0.001) and the place of waste disposal (OR = 0.791, 95% [CI: 0.651-0.961], p = 0.018).

Conclusion

The practice of burning household waste in Khartoum State was a public health concern. Sociodemographic and managerial factors exposing residents to health risks appeal political, health authorities and communities to establish a partnership to manage household waste for public safety and good quality of life.

Association between toxic and essential metals in blood and global DNA methylation among electronic waste workers in Agbogbloshie, Ghana

Aberrant global DNA methylation status is a known biomarker for increased disease risk, especially cancer. There is little published data on the association between toxic and essential metal mixtures and global DNA methylation in electronic waste (e-waste) workers. We aimed to establish the association between toxic and essential metals in blood and the effect of their interactions on global DNA methylation among e-waste recyclers and a reference group in Ghana. We used ICP-MS to measure the level of five metals (Se, Zn, Mn, Cd, and Pb) in the blood of 100 e-waste workers and 51 controls. We quantified blood DNA methylation levels of LINE-1 as an indicator of global DNA methylation. Cd, Mn, and Se levels were significantly higher in the reference group than in e-waste workers. Only Pb was significantly higher in the e-waste workers compared to the controls. Our linear regression analysis results showed a significant inverse association between Zn and LINE-1 DNA methylation (β_Zn =  - 0.912; 95% CI, - 1.512, - 0.306; p = 0.003) which corresponds to a 0.009 decrease in %LINE-1 methylation (95% CI, - 0.015, - 0.003; p = 0.003) for a 1% increase in Zn concentration. Potential interactions between Cd and Zn on global DNA methylation were observed. In summary, co-exposure to toxic and essential metals is associated with global (LINE-1) DNA methylation.

Gestational exposure to environmental cadmium induces placental apoptosis and fetal growth restriction via Parkin-modulated MCL-1 degradation

Heavy metal cadmium (Cd), a classical environmental pollutant, causes placental apoptosis and fetal growth restriction (FGR), whereby the mechanism remains unclear. Here, our human case-control study firstly showed that there was a positive association of Parkin mitochondrial translocation, MCL-1 reduction, placental apoptosis, and all-cause FGR. Subsequently, Cd was administered to establish in vitro and in vivo models of placental apoptosis or FGR. Our models demonstrated that Parkin mitochondrial translocation was observed in Cd-administrated placental trophoblasts. Meaningfully, Parkin siRNA (siR) dramatically mitigated Cd-triggered apoptosis in placental trophoblasts. Mdivi-1 (M-1), an inhibitor for Parkin mitochondrial translocation, mitigated Cd-induced apoptosis in placental trophoblasts, which further ameliorated the effect of attenuated placental sizes in Cd-exposed mice. Furthermore, the interaction of MCL-1 with Parkin or Ub in Cd-stimulated cells was stronger than that in controls. MG132, an inhibitor for proteasome, abolished MCL-1 degradation in Cd-stimulated cells. Importantly, Parkin siR and M-1 memorably abolished the ubiquitin-dependent degradation of MCL-1 in placental trophoblasts. Interestingly, mito-TEMPO and melatonin, two mitochondria-targeted antioxidants, obviously rescued Cd-caused mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) decrease, Parkin mitochondrial translocation, MCL-1 degradation, and apoptosis in placental trophoblasts. In conclusion, cadmium induces placental apoptosis and FGR via mtROS-mediated Parkin-modulated degradation of MCL-1.

Issues and solutions of electronic waste urban mining for circular economy transition: An Indian context

The rapid consumption of advanced e-products has intensified problems for the linear economy; constantly diminishing natural resources employed in production processes have created a need of recycle and reuse. Although the transition to a circular economy proposes to end the loop of e-products, it needs the application of processes such as urban mining to recover resources as secondary raw material. The present study intends to examine the issues and challenges of electronic waste urban mining (EWUM) in India that need to be assessed for the development of a sustainable economy. To accomplish this, the current study employs integrated Multi-Criteria-Decision making methods (MCDM). Step-Wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) is used to prioritize issues and their possible solutions with Weighted Assessment Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS) methods introduced to explore these challenges and provide solutions for managing EWUM. There is an immediate need to acknowledge the issues confronted by stakeholders in urban mining processes for successful transition to a circular economy. A better understanding of the issues will help policy makers and decision makers to implement best practices to enhance the urban mining process in India. This study has shown that socio-economic (SE) issues are the most critical issues in EWUM in India. The possible solutions that would have most impact are to enhance awareness campaigns for people to educate themselves regarding e-waste, train staff to handle safe disposal of e-waste and produce eco-friendly electronic products.

Global occurrence, chemical properties, and ecological impacts of e-wastes (IUPAC Technical Report)

The waste stream of obsolete electronic equipment grows exponentially, creating a worldwide pollution and resource problem. Electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) comprises a heterogeneous mix of glass, plastics (including flame retardants and other additives), metals (including rare Earth elements), and metalloids. The e-waste issue is complex and multi-faceted. In examining the different aspects of e-waste, informal recycling in developing countries has been identified as a primary concern, due to widespread illegal shipments; weak environmental, as well as health and safety, regulations; lack of technology; and inadequate waste treatment structure. For example, Nigeria, Ghana, India, Pakistan, and China have all been identified as hotspots for the disposal of e-waste. This article presents a critical examination on the chemical nature of e-waste and the resulting environmental impacts on, for example, microbial biodiversity, flora, and fauna in e-waste recycling sites around the world. It highlights the different types of risk assessment approaches required when evaluating the ecological impact of e-waste. Additionally, it presents examples of chemistry playing a role in potential solutions. The information presented here will be informative to relevant stakeholders seeking to devise integrated management strategies to tackle this global environmental concern.