1. |
- Parvez, Sarker Masud, et al.
(author)
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Hormonal, liver, and renal function associated with electronic waste (e-waste) exposure in Dhaka, Bangladesh
- 2024
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In: Toxicology. - : Elsevier. - 0300-483X .- 1879-3185. ; 505
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Electronic waste (e-waste) contains numerous metals and organic pollutants that have detrimental impacts on human health. We studied 199 e-waste recycling workers and 104 non-exposed workers; analyzed blood, urine, and hair samples to measure heavy metals, hormonal, liver, and renal function. We used quantile regression models to evaluate the impact of Pb, Cd, and Hg on hormonal, liver and renal function, and the role of DNA oxidative damage in mediating the relationship between exposures and outcomes. Exposed workers had higher blood lead (Pb) (median 11.89 vs 3.63 mu g/dL), similar blood cadmium (Cd) (1.04 vs 0.99 mu g/L) and lower total mercury (Hg) in hair (0.38 vs 0.57 ppm) than non-exposed group. Exposed workers also had elevated median concentrations of total triiodothyronine (TT3), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), urinary albumin, albumin creatinine ratio (ACR) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were significantly higher than non-exposed group (p <= 0.05). Sex hormones including luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone concentrations were not significantly different between exposed and non-exposed (all p >= 0.05). The median concentration of ALT was 4.00 (95% CI: 0.23, 7.77), urinary albumin was 0.09 (95% CI: 0.06, 0.12) and ACR was 1.31 (95% CI: 0.57, 2.05) units higher in the exposed group compared to non-exposed group. Pb was associated with a 3.67 unit increase in the ALP (95% CI: 1.53, 5.80), 0.01 unit increase in urinary albumin (95% CI: 0.002, 0.01), and 0.07 unit increase in ACR (95% CI: 0.01, 0.13). However, no hormonal, renal, and hepatic parameters were associated with Cd or Hg. Oxidative DNA damage did not mediate exposure-outcome relationships (p >= 0.05). Our data indicate e-waste exposure impairs liver and renal functions secondary to elevated Pb levels. Continuous monitoring, longitudinal studies to evaluate the dose-response relationship and effective control measure are required to protect workers from ewaste exposure.
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2. |
- Rahman, Mahbubur, et al.
(author)
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Effectiveness of soil remediation intervention in abandoned used lead acid battery (ULAB) recycling sites to reduce lead exposure among the children
- 2024
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In: MethodsX. - : Elsevier. - 1258-780X .- 2215-0161. ; 12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Lead (Pb) is a neurotoxin, and children are vulnerable due to their evolving physiology and highrisk behaviours. Soil remediation interventions have proven effective in reducing Pb exposure. The primary objective is to measure the effectiveness of soil remediation at abandoned used lead acid battery (ULAB) recycling sites, nearby household cleaning, and community awareness in reducing blood lead levels (BLLs) in children. Additionally, this study aims to examine associations of Pb exposure with hematological, cardiovascular, renal, immunological, and endocrinological parameters in children aged 0-12 years. This study employs a quasi -experimental design, with abandoned ULAB sites as intervention sites and two control sites in Bangladesh. The intervention includes soil remediation coupled with community education. Data will be collected prior to the intervention and at a 12-month follow-up, including a comprehensive Pb exposure survey and collect environmental, turmeric samples, and blood from the child. Pb concentrations in environmental samples and turmeric samples will be determined using XRF analyser. Child BLL will be measured using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GF-AAS) and proposed biochemical parameters will be analysed using routine laboratory methods. This study could provide valuable insights for designing targeted interventions in similar settings and mitigating exposure to Pb.
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3. |
- Shariful Islam, Md, et al.
(author)
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Cigarette smoking and associated factors among men in five South Asian countries: A pooled analysis of nationally representative surveys
- 2022
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In: PLOS ONE. - : PLoS. - 1932-6203. ; 17:11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Smoking is one of the leading causes of premature deaths worldwide. The cigarette is the commonest form of tobacco smoking. This study investigated the factors associated with cigarette smoking among men in five South Asian countries. We analyzed nationally representative cross-sectional study (Demographic and Health Survey) data conducted in Afghanistan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Pakistan from 2015–2018. Our study population was men aged between 15 and 49 years. The outcome variable was the prevalence of cigarette smoking. We performed both pooled and country-specific analyses using multivariable logistic regression. The prevalence of cigarette smoking among men is the highest (41.2%) in the Maldives and the lowest (20.1%) in Pakistan. Our pooled analysis found that higher age, lower education, lower wealth status, and involvement in any occupations were strongly associated with cigarette smoking (p-value <0.001). However, we did not find a significant association between age and wealth status in Afghanistan, occupations in Nepal and Pakistan, and education in Pakistan with cigarette smoking when country-specific analyses were performed. In this study, socioeconomic position, age, and urban area are strongly associated with cigarette smoking in South Asian countries. The country-specific circumstances should be considered in planning and designing national smoking control strategies and interventions. However, improving access to smoking cessation services could be an effective intervention for all studied countries, Afghanistan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Pakistan.
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