Relationship between Metal Exposures, Dietary Macronutrient Intake, and Blood Glucose Levels of Informal Electronic Waste Recyclers in Ghana

Associations of insulin sensitivity and immune inflammatory responses with child blood lead (Pb) and PM2.5 exposure at an e-waste recycling area during the COVID-19 lockdown

Fine particular matter (PM2.5) and lead (Pb) exposure can induce insulin resistance, elevating the likelihood of diabetes onset. Nonetheless, the underlying mechanism remains ambiguous. Consequently, we assessed the association of PM2.5 and Pb exposure with insulin resistance and inflammation biomarkers in children. A total of 235 children aged 3-7 years in a kindergarten in e-waste recycling areas were enrolled before and during the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown. Daily PM2.5 data was collected and used to calculate the individual PM2.5 daily exposure dose (DED-PM2.5). Concentrations of whole blood Pb, fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in serum were measured. Compared with that before COVID-19, the COVID-19 lockdown group had lower DED-PM2.5 and blood Pb, higher serum HMGB1, and lower blood glucose and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index. Decreased DED-PM2.5 and blood Pb levels were linked to decreased levels of fasting blood glucose and increased serum HMGB1 in all children. Increased serum HMGB1 levels were linked to reduced levels of blood glucose and HOMA-IR. Due to the implementation of COVID-19 prevention and control measures, e-waste dismantling activities and exposure levels of PM2.5 and Pb declined, which probably reduced the association of PM2.5 and Pb on insulin sensitivity and diabetes risk, but a high level of risk of chronic low-grade inflammation remained. Our findings add new evidence for the associations among PM2.5 and Pb exposure, systemic inflammation and insulin resistance, which could be a possible explanation for diabetes related to environmental exposure.

Assessing the impact of arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium exposure on glycemic and lipid profile markers: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

The toxicity of metals presents a significant threat to human health due to the metabolic changes they induce. Thus, it is crucial to understand the impact of exposure to toxic elements on glycemic and lipid profiles. To this end, we developed a systematic review protocol registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023393681), following PRISMA-P guidelines. This review aims to assess environmental exposure to arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead in individuals aged over ten years and elucidate their association with glycemic markers such as fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin, as well as lipid parameters including total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Articles published in the MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Web of Science, LILACS, and Google Scholar databases until March 2024 will be included without language restrictions. The modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale will be employed to assess the quality of the included studies, and the results will be presented through narrative synthesis. If adequate data are available, a meta-analysis will be conducted. This review can help understand the metabolic responses to exposure to toxic elements and the associated health risks.

Lead exposure by E-waste disposal and recycling in Agbogbloshie, Ghana

BACKGROUND

Agbogbloshie in Ghana is the world's biggest dumpsite for the informal recycling of electronic waste (e-waste). E-waste is dismantled by rudimentary methods without personal or environmental protection. Workers and occupants are exposed to lead. There are no data so far about the extent and the consequences. We therefore analyzed blood lead levels (BLL) and creatinine levels (CL).

METHODS

Full blood samples and basic data (i.e. age, job, length of stay) were collected from dumpsite volunteers. BLL were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry; CL were assessed using the standard clinical laboratory procedures of Aachen Technical University. European BLL reference values were used as Ghana lacks its own. Statistical analysis was by non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney U test), with p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Participants of both sexes (n = 327; 12-68 years; median age 23 years) were assessed. Most workers were aged <30 years. The collective's BLL was in pathological range for 77.7%; 14% had a BLL >10.0 μg/dl with symptoms consistent with high lead exposure including severe (6.5%) and intermediate (39%) renal disorder. BLL above 15.0 μg/dl were found in 5.9% of all workers which is the German threshold for those working with lead. Elevated CL in a pathological range were found in 254 participants. This is problematic as 75% of the lead entering the body is excreted via urine.

CONCLUSION

Most of our volunteers had pathological BLL and CL. Preventive strategies are necessary to reduce health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations (i.e. children, pregnant women).

Association between serum copper and blood glucose: a mediation analysis of inflammation indicators in the NHANES (2011-2016)

Background

The rising prevalence of diabetes underscores the need for identifying effective prevention strategies. Recent research suggests environmental factors, particularly heavy metals like copper, significantly influence health outcomes, including diabetes, through mechanisms involving inflammation and oxidative stress. This study aims to explore how serum copper levels affect blood glucose, employing NHANES data from 2011 to 2016, to provide insights into environmental health's role in diabetes prevention and management.

Methods

The study analyzed data from 2,318 NHANES participants across three cycles (2011-2016), focusing on those with available data on serum copper, inflammatory markers, and blood glucose levels. We utilized principal component analysis for selecting inflammatory markers, mediation analysis to examine direct and indirect effects, multiple linear regression for assessing relationships between markers and glucose levels, and weighted quantile sum regression for evaluating individual and collective marker effects, adjusting for demographic variables and serum copper.

Results

Participants averaged 42.70 years of age, with a near-even split between genders. Average serum copper was 119.50 μg/dL, white blood cell count 6.82 × 109/L, and fasting blood glucose 107.10 mg/dL. Analyses identified significant mediation by inflammatory markers (especially white blood cells: 39.78%) in the copper-blood glucose relationship. Regression analyses highlighted a positive correlation between white blood cells (estimate: 1.077, 95% CI: 0.432 to 2.490, p = 0.013) and copper levels and a negative correlation for monocyte percentage (estimate: -1.573, 95% CI: 0.520 to -3.025, p = 0.003). Neutrophil percentage was notably influential in glucose levels. Sensitive analyses confirmed the study's findings.

Conclusion

Serum copper levels significantly impact blood glucose through inflammatory marker mediation, highlighting the importance of considering environmental factors in diabetes management and prevention. These findings advocate for public health interventions and policies targeting environmental monitoring and heavy metal exposure reduction, emphasizing the potential of environmental health measures in combating diabetes incidence.

The global distribution of epidemiological studies involving waste pickers: A systematic review

Waste pickers, who work with the collection of recyclable materials in search of a source of income, are subject to various risks and diseases that are very well researched. The aim of this systematic review was therefore to identify and analyze the results of epidemiological research on waste pickers over the last 20 years as well as to investigate the geographical distribution and quality of these studies. The studies were selected from the literature by creating search keys with representative keywords in different databases. This systematic review exceptionally includes research qualified according to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. In total, 61 epidemiological studies with waste pickers were found in 15 different countries, with the largest number of studies carried out in the American continent compared to the African and Asian, respectively. Regarding the quality, 91.80 % were classified as excellent and 8.20 % as good. Although the results show a significant number of epidemiological studies with waste pickers, demonstrating scientific evidence, that there is still a lack of research focusing on waste pickers in different work scenarios, from different health perspectives and in different parts of the world, and it is not possible to highlight the trends in health research for this profession.