Variation in Some Haematological Parameters, Iron and Lead Levels in Workers Exposed to Electronic Waste in Benin City, South-South Nigeria (original) (raw)

Background: The volume of electronic waste (e-waste) received in Nigeria is reportedly on the increase and the effects on environmental health are yet to be fully ascertained. This study aimed to investigate possible variation of haematological indices, lead and serum iron levels in workers occupationally exposed to electronic wastes in Benin City, South-South, Nigeria. Methods: In this pilot study, 104 participants were enrolled from Benin City, South-South Nigeria; consisting of 63 E-waste Workers (EW) sex-and aged-matched with 41 Unexposed Participants (Control). Blood samples were collected and analysed for levels of the metals (lead and iron) using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry while the haematological parameters [White Blood Cells (WBC), Lymphocytes (LY); Monocytes (MO), Granulocytes (GR), Red Blood Cells (RBC), Haemoglobin (Hgb), Haematocrit (HCT), Mean Cell Volume (MCV), Mean Cell Haemoglobin (MCH), Mean Cell Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) and Platelets (PLT)] were determined using Haematology Auto-analyser. Results: Serum iron (p<0.007) was significantly lower while lead was higher (p<0.001) among EW than controls. Also, LY, PLT, Hgb, PCV and MCHC were significantly lower (p<0.001) while TWBC (p<0.001), MO (p<0.05), GR (p<0.001) and MCV were higher among EW than control subjects. Conclusion: E-waste exposure may increase blood lead level, lower serum iron status and may have adversely altered the measured haematological parameters in the studied population.